HOW TO PITCH MUSIC BLOGS WITHOUT SPAMMING THEM
Musicians often complain that blogs do not respond.
Editors often complain that artists send irrelevant, poorly written pitches.
Both sides are dealing with overwhelming amounts of information.
The solution is better targeting.
RESEARCH BEFORE YOU PITCH
Do not send your music to every email address you can find.
First ask:
Does this publication cover my genre?
Do they feature independent artists?
Do they accept submissions?
Who writes about music similar to mine?
What stories have they published recently?
Research creates relevance.
PERSONALIZE THE OPENING
You do not need to write an essay.
But show that you understand the outlet.
Mention a relevant article.
Reference the writer’s coverage area.
Explain why your story may fit.
A small amount of genuine personalization can separate your pitch from hundreds of mass emails.
KEEP THE EMAIL FOCUSED
A pitch should communicate:
Who you are.
What you are promoting.
Why it matters.
Why it fits the outlet.
Where they can hear or review it.
How to contact you.
Do not attach enormous files without permission.
Use organized links.
DON’T BEG
Avoid messages such as:
“Please help me make it.”
“This is my only chance.”
“You have to post this.”
Professional outreach should be confident and respectful.
You are presenting a possible story.
The journalist decides whether it fits.
DON’T INSULT PEOPLE WHO DECLINE
A rejection is not always a judgment of your talent.
The outlet may have:
No space.
Wrong timing.
Different editorial priorities.
Too many submissions.
Genre mismatch.
Move professionally.
The same writer who says no today may say yes later.
FOLLOW UP ONCE OR TWICE
A polite follow-up can help.
People miss emails.
But sending daily messages creates frustration.
Give the recipient time.
Keep the follow-up short.
If there is still no response, move on.
MAKE YOUR LINKS SIMPLE
Consider including:
One primary song link.
One video link.
EPK.
Professional photos.
Official website.
Do not send a maze of 25 unrelated links.
Guide the reader toward the most important information.
BUILD MEDIA RELATIONSHIPS YEAR-ROUND
Do not appear only when you need coverage.
Read publications.
Share strong articles.
Interact professionally.
Congratulate writers.
Respect their work.
Relationships make future communication warmer.
THINK BEYOND THE BIGGEST BLOGS
Local outlets.
Genre-specific blogs.
Cultural publications.
Independent magazines.
Podcasts.
Newsletters.
Regional media.
Smaller platforms can have highly engaged audiences.
Build your press foundation.
MR. DOPE CHEF MOGUL TIP
A thousand random emails are not automatically better than fifty researched pitches. Relevance beats volume.
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST
- Research relevant outlets.
- Identify specific writers.
- Review submission guidelines.
- Personalize pitches.
- Keep emails concise.
- Use organized links.
- Avoid large unsolicited attachments.
- Follow up respectfully.
- Track responses.
- Build relationships.
- Expand beyond major outlets.
- Update your media database.