With not much of an opportunity to go outside and make connections in real life, internet use has been at an all time high. This shift caused many changes to adapt to for every industry, but especially the music industry and independent musicians. Without live performances and events, promotion has been limited to mostly just virtual opportunities. The most popular opportunities being playlist placement, blog features, and influencer campaigns. Typically each of these requires you to pitch music to someone who is receiving numerous requests for similar opportunities.
You must contact curators, writers, and influencers in a certain way so that they are willing to work with you. While I can’t tell you exactly which messages work due to each person having their own preferences, I’m going to go over the Do’s and Don’ts of sending pitches to these people. I will also be providing examples of good pitches.
This article will be going over what you SHOULD do when pitching your music. To read what you SHOULDN’T do, head over to this article!
How Artists SHOULD Pitch Music to Bloggers, Curators, and Influencers
#1 Do Add a Personal on Each Message
When messaging a blogger, curator, or influencer you must remember that these people get countless messages asking for the same thing. If your message doesn’t have a personal touch, you are likely to be left on read. While this takes more time, your success rate will show that the time spent is worth it.
There are many ways you can personalize a message. You should always compliment them on past work such as articles they have written, playlists they have curated, or campaigns that have created. Make sure to tell them why you are contacting them and how you discovered them. Don’t forget to say their name, as well as your own.
An example of this to a writer would be, “Hey [name]. [Introduce yourself]. I recently watched your interview with [artist name]. I’m a huge fan of this artist and you did a great job interviewing him in an engaging way. I love your laid-back style of interviewing and would love to have a chance to chat with you if you enjoy my music. Check it out when you get a chance and let me know what you think! [link to music]”
#2 Do Sound Professional but Genuine
Speak in a professional manner by using good grammar and being polite. But don’t be too proper to the point that you sound like a robot. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and conversate as if it were a peer rather than a business person.
Remember that being genuine and honest goes a long way. Respect their time by not sending too long of a message initially. If you have more information or materials to send them, make sure to ask them if that is okay first.
#3 Do Be Prepared with Materials
If you are contacting a writer to cover your music make sure to be prepared with a well-written press release. This not only shows that you’re a professional and serious artist, but also helps the writer when featuring you. Below is an example of a solid press release.
If you are contacting a curator make sure to be prepared with a link to your music. If the song is released, provide a link tree that gives the option to choose from a variety of streaming platforms. But if the song is unreleased, provide a private listening link. Also inform them of when your song will be released.
When contacting influencers, make sure you have a campaign idea ready to present them. If you don’t have an idea, make sure you’re offering to pay them for their service of coming up with content ideas. Be ready to compensate them for their service whether it is through money or work you can do for them in return.
#4 Do Submit the Correct Way
Make sure to research a music publication, curator, or influencer thoroughly first so you know what submission route they prefer. A lot of blogs have submission forms on their websites, if this is an options always do this over an email as this is what they are requesting. Most curators have an email or social handle in the description of their playlist.
Influencers typically either have an email in their biography to management or have no way directed way to submit. If they have no directions, you will have to cold DM them. This has an extremely low success rate so make sure to carefully craft your message. Following and engaging with them on social media may help your DM to be seen.
#5 Do Make a List of Potential Blogs, Playlists, and Influencers
Making a list of potential blogs, curators, and influencers first will set you up for a higher success rate. By creating a list, you can write down a little about each person so you are able to personalize the message easier and more efficiently. This will keep you organized and allow you to see who you have already contacted and who still needs to be contacted.
You can build up this list by using your trusty old friend Google or other platforms. If you’re looking for bloggers your best bet would be LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter. If you’re looking for influencers, TikTok and Instagram are best. But if you are more active on another platform, look for influencers on there. For curators your best bet is using keywords on streaming platforms to find playlists. Most of the time there is contact information in the description of the playlist.
#6 Do Offer Something in Return
Writing an article or creating a campaign takes a lot of time. You shouldn’t feel entitled for these people to spend all of this time and effort on you for nothing in return. If you’re able to pay the writer or influencer then you should always offer. But if you are on a tight budget then get creative. If you see they are also a musician, offer to collaborate on a song. Such as playing an instrument for one of their songs or helping them mix and master.
For curators it doesn’t take as much effort to add a song to a playlist but you should still try to offer something in return. Even if it is just following the playlist and shouting it out. Some curators charge a certain amount to be added so keep that in mind.
#7 Do Utilize Submission Websites
Pitching to curators and influencers can take up a lot of time. There are countless companies that have created a way to submit to these people much more easily and quickly. A website that allows you to submit to curators is Daily Playlists. All you have to do in return is follow the playlist. Websites like Zebr allow you to submit your music directly to influencers. Be careful which services you use as there are many scams and shady services out there.
Getting your music featured shouldn’t have to be so hard and time consuming! If you pitch your music without utilizing these tips, you will likely have a low success rate and your time will go to waste. The more effort you put into each individual message, the higher success rate you will have. Focus on building connections rather than just straight up asking for something.
Don’t forget to head over to this article to learn what you SHOULDN’T do when pitching your music!
If you are still having trouble pitching your music and getting featured, shoot us an email at info@respectmyregion.com or reach out to the writer directly on Instagram at @hannahlistensto. Or view our marketing page to see what services we offer that could help your music get more exposure.
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