Artists
Email campaigns for artists
As an independent artist, your email list is one of the few things the algorithms can't touch. When you send a promo directly to a DJ, blogger, or curator, you're not competing with an algorithm for their attention. You're right there in their inbox, one click away from being heard.
Building your promo list from scratch
You don't need thousands of contacts. You need the right fifty. Start with anyone who's supported your music before: DJs who've played your tracks, bloggers who've written about you, playlist curators who've added your songs. These people already know your sound and are more likely to engage. Next, look for contacts in your genre. Search blogs that cover your style, find DJs who play similar music, and note curators who run playlists that match your sound. Add them to Promoly with tags so you can segment later. Quality beats quantity every time. Fifty contacts who actually open and listen will do more for your career than 500 who ignore you. Start small, and let your list grow naturally as you release more music and build more relationships.
Writing promo emails that don't sound desperate
The worst thing an artist can do is send an email that reads like begging. "Please listen to my track, it would mean the world to me" doesn't work. Instead, treat your promo like a professional pitch. Be brief, be confident, and let the music speak. A good promo email has three parts. First, a short intro: who you are, what you're releasing, and when it drops. Second, the Promoly player link so they can stream immediately. Third, a one-line call to action: "I'd love your feedback" or "Happy to send a download link if this is a fit." That's it. No life story. No five-paragraph essay about your creative journey. DJs, bloggers, and curators get dozens of these emails. Respect their time and they'll respect yours.
Tracking results and knowing who cares
The biggest advantage of using Promoly over regular email is the data. You can see who opened your email, who played the track, how long they listened, and whether they downloaded. This tells you who's worth building a relationship with. If a DJ opened every promo you've sent and played each track to the end, that's someone who genuinely likes your music. Reach out personally. Thank them. Ask if they'd like early access to your next release. Those individual relationships are what turn casual listeners into career-long supporters. On the flip side, if someone hasn't opened your last three emails, they're not interested right now. Don't take it personally. Remove them or deprioritise them and focus your energy on the contacts who engage.
Email Campaigns checklist for artists
List your existing supporters
DJs who've played you, bloggers who've written about you, curators who've playlisted you. They go on the list first.
Research new contacts in your genre
Find blogs, playlists, and DJs that cover your sound. Add their emails to Promoly with genre tags.
Set up your artist profile
Upload your photo, artist name, and brand colours. Your promos should look like you, not a generic template.
Upload your tracks
Add your WAVs or MP3s with artwork and release details. Promoly creates an in-browser player automatically.
Write a short, confident email
Who you are, what you're releasing, when it drops. Include the player link. Keep it under 100 words.
Send two to three weeks before release
Give contacts time to listen, share, and plan coverage before the track goes live.
Enable feedback collection
Turn on ratings and comments so you get real responses, not just download numbers.
Check stats after 48 hours
See who opened, who played, and who downloaded. Note your most engaged contacts.
Follow up with engaged listeners
A personal thank-you to someone who played your track in full goes a long way.
Update your list after every campaign
Add new contacts you've met. Remove addresses that bounce. Keep your list clean and current.
Quick tips
Don't apologise for emailing
You're sending music to people who want to hear new music. Treat it like a professional exchange, not an imposition.
Start with your warmest contacts
People who already know your music are most likely to open, listen, and respond. Build outward from there.
Be consistent
Send promos for every release. DJs and curators remember artists who show up regularly with good music. One-off emails are easy to forget.
Frequently asked questions
How many contacts do I need to start?
Even ten well-chosen contacts are enough for your first campaign. Focus on quality over quantity and grow your list with each release.
Do I need a label to use Promoly?
No. Promoly works for independent artists, labels, managers, and anyone else promoting music. You don't need a label affiliation.
Can DJs listen without downloading?
Yes. Promoly's in-browser player lets recipients stream your tracks on any device without downloading a file.
What's the cheapest plan for solo artists?
The Starter plan at £10/month includes 150 sends and all core features. The 7-day free trial lets you test everything first with no credit card required.
Send your first promo campaign as an independent artist
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