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How to pitch your music to online reviewers

K.Pharaoh


You've got a new album, single, music video, or something else fresh. You're prepared to put in the effort to ensure the successful launch of your new material. But where should you begin? And how do you decide whom to contact? 


First we recommend reading how to promote your music to online reviewers. 

After compiling your list of contacts, it's important to consider the "how". How will you approach them? What will your message be? How will you adjust your communication based on the person you're addressing?


Here are some tips for writing an email pitch that gets responses.


1. Keep it Simple

The general guideline for nearly everything in life is to keep it simple. People dislike complexity, especially nowadays! When requesting media coverage, ensure your request is straightforward. 


Are you seeking an interview, a review, a show preview, or a feature on your new music video? Make sure your introduction is clear, and your email is direct and to the point.  Do whatever you can to make your email easy to read and respond to: keep it concise, use bullet points, and include a few useful links that highlight who you are. Everything else is extra and likely unnecessary. 


2. Do Your Research

Before requesting someone to dedicate an hour of their time to listen to your album and another hour to write a review, identify who you are addressing. Search for names. If you cannot locate the music editor's name, customize your email as much as possible with the information you have. 


A simple, “To The Music Editor of Blazin 94.2 ” is harmless. However, artists often resort to a lackluster “Hi…my name is blah blah blah”

Reviewers dislike generic emails from unknown individuals who are unaware of the genres they specialize in. Finding that name can make a significant difference. Going a step further to ensure the person you’re emailing actually covers your music genre will be beneficial for you.


3. Make Your Subject Line Clear

There are several strategies you can use for your subject line, and opinions vary on which is most effective. Should it be straightforward, humorous, or direct? The reality is that your subject line is the first thing a reviewer notices, and different styles will attract different individuals. Regardless of your choice, always include your band name in the subject heading to ensure they can easily identify you among the numerous incoming requests (note: replace XYZ Band with your artist name below).


Approach 1: XYZ Band Album Review Request

Approach 2: XYZ Band is Releasing its 3rd LP? Will You Review Us?

Approach 3: XYZ Band Review Request: You Will Actually Make it Through Our Album Without Falling Asleep!


4. Links Are Your Friend

Provide links that clearly guide your recipient to specific information. While it might seem obvious, we'll mention it anyway: avoid sending attachments! Also, refrain from including too many links, as this can cause the essential details to be overlooked.


Depending on what you’re promoting, you want to choose 2-4 links at most - a link to your website or EPK, a link to the specific content you are hoping to get coverage for, and maybe an additional 1 or 2 links to social media.


5. Include These Parts In Your Email

Now that we’ve shared the above, let’s break down what an email should look like.


SUBJECT LINE:

See #3 above. 


INTRO PARAGRAPH

Introduce yourself or group - name, location, genre, and any other basic details (1 or 2 sentences). Show that you have knowledge of the blog(ger) by referencing some of his/her past write-ups. This shows you did your research.


THE ASK

Clearly state what you’re asking for (review, interview, feature…etc). This is just a one-liner so they know why they should keep reading your email.


YOUR STREET CRED

This is your elevator pitch. Clearly liken yourself to a few other artists, share some notable placements and endorsements, and give them a reason to want to check your music out further and consider your ask.


LINKS

Link to where they can hear your music, read your bio, and learn more about your band to further consider your ask.


SAY GOODBYE

Thank them for their time especially since their inbox is flooded with a million requests like yours. 


6. Follow Up Just In Case They Forgot

Following up on your email inquiries is important. Waiting is the worst part especially because you don’t always know why you’re waiting. Sometimes a blogger’s silence is because they can't dig through all the emails in their inbox and they haven’t gotten to yours yet. 


Sometimes it's because you didn’t send it to the right email. And sometimes it's because they don’t like your music. You may never know the real answer but if you follow up, the likelihood that you’ll get a response is higher. So here's how you follow up:


  • Give it a week or two: Don’t be too hasty to check in but don’t let it slip through the cracks either

  • Be nice: Don’t send an angry email b/c they didn’t get back to you. Be polite, include the original email in your message, and simply write a 1-2 line email saying you are following up on your original message.

  • Acknowledge their work: One of my favorite things to write in my email is, ''I know you get so many of these emails every day, so even if I don’t hear back, thank you for taking the time to read this one.”


And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you pursue online coverage. If it was hard to get a review 5-10 years ago, it’s even harder now. But don’t forget to read PART 1 of this article. It offers some great tips on how to work smarter, not harder.  


Use Additional Music Promotion to Make a Name

You need to present your music to the world and increase engagement to make your music recognized. If you choose to incorporate paid promotion to boost organic engagement, 94.2 Blazin Marketing and Promotional Support team offers a service to elevate your online music presence.


Achieving visibility is best accomplished by being featuring in articles, getting interviews, and various media platforms. Our promotion campaign packages is designed specifically as your one stop shop, by offering you the most optimal reach by combining multiple platform together.


A combination of paid services and paid promotion is a great power-up for your music. When you optimize your profile, receive verification marks, and add a high-quality promotion, you will blow the whole platform and see your songs in various charts, including daily and weekly playlists!


Best of luck!


 

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94.2 Blazin is making a strategic move to better market, promote, support and network independent artists and their music!  Our station is shifting gears from mainstream music to an all independent / unsigned user-submitted playlist format.

 

This exciting transition allow us to give our listeners the opportunity to hear more music from non-commercial artists and fully become a media outlet for independent talent. So they can gain more exposure to music enthusiasts everywhere. But it doesn't stop there!

 

We're all about proving opportunities for independent talent to showcase their work and to be heard. We enjoy having conversations on-air with these talented artists,who give us and our listeners the time to connect and relate with the faces and stories behind the music. Allowing us all, to become fans

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