#3

Pay to Play is an interesting term and, in most cases, it doesn’t come across in a positive manner.  Last month a National Podcast group reached out to interview me for their show.  The spokesperson for the Podcast went into a long explanation of how the interview would feature the Rock & Review with Eric Dahl TV show, my books, articles I have written for publications, the B.B. King story and my career.  Everything seemed positive, but something in the back of mind had a sinking feeling.  Obviously, the Podcast company had conducted an extensive amount of research about me, but also didn’t go in depth enough to know about the past interviews that I had been invited on.  At the end of the conversation the spokesperson explained how expensive it was to conduct and do a Nationally Syndicated Podcast show of this quality and that my portion, to help reduce those costs, would be $999.  I thanked the woman for her time and explained that I would need to pass on the opportunity at this time.

I don’t have anything against media outlets and portals charging especially if it involves advertisers that support and make them possible.  And who knows, at some point I might be forced to pay for coverage and awareness for my shows, books or writing.  The issue I have is when outlets charge people that are barely getting by in the first place and if the interview or awareness isn’t aimed at helping those people instead of the portals, or individuals, lining their pockets.  Don’t get me wrong, I have not mastered the method of making profit on books, articles or any other creative outlet I have pursued. Thus, the reason I must maintain a full-time job that will pay my bills and help me support my teenage daughter.  But I would not dream of charging an artist or band to come on a TV, Radio or Podcast show I was hosting or articles that I was writing.  I can only speak for my show.  Artists, bands, authors and documentarians are only invited the Rock & Review with Eric Dahl because their music, books, documentaries, charities or tours merit it.  Personally, I conduct most of the prep for our interviews after hours late at night the day before an interview so I can memorize the content and not utilize a teleprompter. The Producers of our show, Gordon, Matt & Mike, go the extra mile creatively and enjoy meeting the guests as we welcome them to our studio.  For the record I am not a Dream Crusher.  Meaning I won’t tell a publicist, artist, band or author that their project is not up to par compared to the rest of the industry.  Maybe that is a weakness of mine since I don’t want to hurt people but I’m not giving them honest constructive criticism either.  But for the guests that we do have on the show I go above and beyond in preparation, listen to their music, hand write-out high points and talkers and find the best ways to make them shine to their fans and potential new audience.  My only expectation, which I have now been forced to put in writing, is that artists that appear on the show also promote their own interviews to help drive awareness to their fans.

This year I signed up to pay for Spotify for the sole reason of creating a Rock & Review Hot Pick list where I select two songs from every artist on the show and add them to the paylist.  Pay to Play may be necessary and if it feels right for your project then I am not casting aspersions at those outlets. But be mindful if media outlets are charging you for the coverage of your music, book, documentary or whatever creative endeavor you are pursuing.  Is it because of the quality or uniqueness of what you are doing, or the profit they make for showcasing you?  And if you are okay with the expense and can justify it maybe it is worth to you for the exposure?  Also, if you hire a proficient Publicist or Publicity firm, they can negotiate appearances and coverage for you through their contacts. But that will be another blog.