Artists
Press outreach for artists
Press coverage puts your name in places fans actively go for music discovery. A blog feature, a magazine review, or a premiere on a popular site introduces you to readers who trust that publication's taste. For independent artists doing their own PR, a focused approach beats a scattergun one every time.
Finding journalists who cover your sound
The most common mistake artists make with press outreach is sending to everyone. A hip-hop blog won't cover your ambient EP no matter how good it is. Instead, read the publications your target audience reads. Search for reviews and features in your genre. Note which journalists wrote them. Add those contacts to Promoly with tags for the publication, their beat, and their preferred content type (reviews, premieres, interviews). Start with smaller publications. A niche blog with a dedicated readership in your genre is more likely to cover an unknown artist than a major outlet. These smaller features build your press history, which makes larger outlets more likely to pay attention down the line.
Pitching yourself without a publicist
You don't need a PR firm to get press coverage. You do need to be professional and concise. Your pitch email should be three short paragraphs at most. Paragraph one: who you are and what you're releasing. Include your genre, any notable collaborations, and the release date. Paragraph two: why this release is interesting. A debut EP, a new creative direction, a track inspired by a specific experience. Give the journalist a story angle. Paragraph three: the Promoly link to stream and a link to your press kit (photos, bio, artwork). That's it. Journalists receive hundreds of pitches. The ones that get read are short, specific, and make it easy to say yes.
Following up and building press relationships
After sending your pitch, check your Promoly stats. If a journalist opened the email and played the track, they're at least curious. Wait three to five days, then send a brief follow-up. Reference the track and ask if they'd be interested in covering it. One follow-up is enough. If there's no response, move on gracefully. When you do get coverage, share it everywhere and thank the journalist publicly. Tag them on social media. Send a genuine thank-you email. Journalists remember artists who show appreciation, and they're more likely to cover your next release. Building press relationships is a long game. Every positive interaction, every professional pitch, and every grateful response adds up over time.
Making the most of press coverage
A review or feature is valuable long after it's published. Share it on all your social channels when it goes live. Add pull quotes to your website and press kit. Include "as featured in [publication]" in future pitch emails. This social proof makes the next journalist more likely to take you seriously. If you got a premiere, make sure the journalist has the track before anyone else. Honour the exclusivity window. If you promised them a Monday premiere, don't leak the track on Sunday. Trust is the foundation of press relationships, and breaking it will close doors permanently.
Press Outreach checklist for artists
Research blogs and publications in your genre
Read what your target audience reads. Note which writers cover your style of music.
Build a targeted press list
Add journalist contacts to Promoly with tags for publication, beat, and content type.
Prepare a press kit
Include hi-res photos, a written bio (150 to 200 words), and artwork files. Host them on Google Drive or your website.
Upload your release to Promoly
Add tracks, artwork, and release info. The in-browser player lets journalists stream without downloading.
Write a concise pitch email
Three paragraphs max. Who you are, why this release matters, and links to listen and download assets.
Send four to six weeks before release
Give journalists time to listen, pitch to their editor, and write the piece.
Check who played your tracks
Promoly shows you which journalists listened. Focus follow-ups on those who engaged.
Send one follow-up
If they played the track, a brief follow-up three to five days later is appropriate. If they didn't open, leave it.
Share and amplify coverage
When a piece goes live, share it on every channel. Tag the journalist and publication.
Quick tips
Lead with your strongest track
If you're releasing an EP, the journalist doesn't need to hear all five tracks in the pitch. Lead with the standout.
Offer something exclusive
A premiere or first listen gives the journalist a reason to prioritise your pitch over others.
Don't pitch the same track to competing outlets for the same feature type
If you offer a premiere to one blog, don't offer the same premiere to another. Word gets around.
Build a press archive
Keep a file of every piece of coverage. Links, screenshots, pull quotes. You'll use them in future pitches and grant applications.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start pitching press?
Four to six weeks before release. This gives journalists time to listen, decide, and schedule the piece. Longer lead times are better.
Should I hire a publicist?
If you can afford it and find one who knows your genre, a good publicist can be worth the investment. But many independent artists get meaningful coverage doing their own outreach.
What if a journalist says no?
Don't take it personally. It might not be the right fit, the wrong timing, or they're simply full. Thank them for their time and try again with your next release.
How do I know if a journalist listened to my track?
Promoly tracks opens, plays, and play duration. If a journalist streamed your track for three minutes, you know they gave it a proper listen.
Get your music in front of the right journalists
7-day free trial. No credit card. Set up in seconds.
Start free trial