How to Set Up Online Radio and Broadcasting Over the Internet
- 1). Develop your show's concept (or if you're building an online station, your format). Choose the days and times you'll be broadcasting and stick to that schedule. Listeners who make you a part of their daily routine will expect your show to be on when advertised.
- 2). Build your music library. Whether you'll be playing the music of local indie bands or CDs from your own collection, make sure your library consists of thousands of songs. The goal is to ensure no single song ever needs to be repeated in a 24-hour period.
- 3). Download and install an audio recording and editing software program. Some recommended free software is Audacity, WavePad, and Adobe Audition. If you desire greater functionality and advanced features, it's well worth it to upgrade or purchase software such as Pro Tools.
- 4). Practice with your new software by recording a sample show or two. Check to make sure your sound levels are consistent with no distortion, that your patter sounds smooth and confident, and all equipment is working properly.
- 5). Listen back to your "test" broadcasts and be your own worst critic. While it's always a good idea to shop the demo around to your friends and other broadcasters for advice, most people are too polite to give you honest feedback. Challenge yourself to do better and you will.
- 6). Select your streaming host provider. Live365, Loud City, SW Cast and ubroadcast are popular hosting services primarily because they attract a large audience. These sites also handle your music licensing for you (a license is included in your monthly fee) so you don't have to do all that complicated paperwork yourself. If you're looking for a simple, easy-to-use broadcasting tool to start with, this approach is your best bet.
- 7). Make it legal. In addition to paying license fees to ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC for the music you play, you must also keep your station in compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). See Resources section for a link to the current U.S. law.
- 8). Put your previous shows in an online archive. By charging a small fee per download, you can make a little extra money for yourself. Or consider selling monthly subscriptions to a members-only section of your website where listeners can download unlimited numbers of archived shows, watch exclusive videos and access other special content that is not available to the general public.
Source...