Playlists and music blogs are a few of the most necessary channels for passing new music from creators to audiences.
The people who curate them are sometimes die-hard music lovers obsessed with getting the freshest tracks directly from the source.
These are the tastemakers you wish to have on your side, so you should reach out to them the right method. However, reaching out could be intimidating, confusing and frustrating.
So here are 6 steps to remember when contact blogs and playlists.
1. No mass emails
That is the first and most necessary rule of outreach. The people you will be contacting probably receive lots of emails a day from hopeful musicians looking for coverage.
Mass emails are impersonal at greatest and off-putting at worst. Nothing kills your opportunities of getting posted more than a generic message copied to lots of email addresses.
Instead, personalize every single email you send for every recipient. That sounds like lots of work—and it’s. However, anything you could do to raise the chances of getting a response is a large help.
Keep in mind that one post from a reputable source could generate a huge amount of visibility. Even if just one out of 100 emails gets a response, it’s worth it in the end!
2. Target the right channels
Tastemakers could tell from your first sentence when you have truly visited their websites and listened to the tracks they publish.
Take the time to completely analysis everybody you contact and familiarize yourself with their content. That method you could focus your outreach on the channels which are most related to your music.
Don’t bother cluttering up the inbox of somebody who deals with a fully different genre, or is extremely unlikely to publish your music.
Blogs and playlists are communities. A phrase could get around if an artist is participating in spammy behavior. So don’t do it!
3. Be clear about what you want
There aren’t many bloggers or playlist curators could do with an email that consists of nothing more than the dreaded “check out my SoundCloud.”
A simple request to listen isn’t often actionable enough to translate into good coverage.
Instead, state the objectives of your message directly if you reach out. When you are searching for a review of your album or a premiere of your single, say so upfront.
Hot Tip: Giving certain publications or playlists an exclusive may help your chances of getting featured. If possible, offer exclusives from your launch to the curators you want most.
It will assist curators to know if what you are looking for matches with the rest of their content.
Of course, ensure you are asking for the right thing. Your request should be in line with the format of the source you are contacting, so know your audience.
4. Include context, but be brief
Blogs and online music magazines do not need a full press kit to decide whether a track works for their feed.
In most cases, even a one-sheet is too much information to provide for basic coverage.
Your message needs to embody only the essential bio details—like where you are from and what genre you are in—and perhaps a single press quote or performance highlight as a hook.
Keep in mind, keep it easy. Here’s an instance:
Hi Stereogum,
We are Gaia Fieri, a psych-folk trio from Austin, Texas. NPR called our set opening for Sleigh Bells “a highlight of day 2 at SXSW.”
I am writing to ask for a review of our new EP Kill the Desert out January 31st on Trouble in Mind Records.
Right here’s the link:
Thanks! And tell us if there’s anything else we could help with.
This kind of message could match into any busy day without sacrificing the important info.
5. Follow up, but only once
Follow-ups are a contentious subject in online music promotion. Some argue that further emails are vital, while others swear they do nothing however hurt your case.
When you are on the fence, think about splitting the difference.
Make a note of the date you sent your email and follow-up only once, 2 or 3 weeks after your first message.
Do not make your message an angry reminder. The last thing you want is to turn listening to your music into a chore for somebody.
Make it constructive by asking for feedback or commenting on recent posts by them—and for goodness sake, follow up in the same email thread.
Beginning a new one will only make it harder for the recipient to keep things organized.
6. Do your part to help
What occurs if somebody does decide to post your song? Your job isn’t over.
Artists and curators rely on each other for their work to succeed.
If an outlet makes a post about your music, the least you could do is a link to their platform on all of your channels to help promote the post.
The same method you will gain fans and followers from their post, you need to be able to help them out a little bit. You probably have people in your circles who’d like their content.
Be a great neighbor with your online music promotion!
Reach out right
Contacting blogs and playlists is one of the most exciting components of music promotion. Get it right by reaching out in the best way possible.
Now that you’ve some ideas for how to contact the music press, get out there and get posted.