DJs
Press outreach for DJs
Press coverage for DJs goes beyond track reviews. Mix features, event previews, artist profiles, and podcast spotlights are all opportunities to raise your profile. The key is knowing which journalists cover your world and giving them a reason to write about you.
What kind of press coverage works for DJs
DJs often think press coverage means getting a track reviewed on Pitchfork. That's one type, and it's extremely competitive. But there are many other formats that are more accessible and often more relevant to your career. Mix features are huge in electronic music. Publications like DJ Mag, Mixmag, Resident Advisor, and dozens of genre-specific blogs regularly feature DJ mixes. A well-produced mix with a short write-up about your selections can reach thousands of engaged listeners. Event coverage is another angle. If you're headlining a notable event or launching a new night, that's a story a local or niche music publication might cover. Artist profiles and interviews are valuable for building your brand, especially if you have an interesting background or a unique approach to DJing.
Building a media list as a DJ
Start with the publications you read. If you follow DJ Mag, Mixmag, Resident Advisor, or genre blogs, those are your targets. Find the journalists who write about DJs in your genre. Note their names, email addresses, and what they typically cover. Add them to Promoly and tag them by publication and content type. Also look for niche outlets. A regional blog covering your city's nightlife scene might be easier to land and more relevant to booking agents than a national publication. Podcast networks that feature DJ mixes are another underused channel. Many accept submissions and feature emerging DJs alongside established names.
Pitching yourself as a DJ
Your pitch should tell a story, not just present music. "Here's my new track" is a producer pitch. A DJ pitch is different. Talk about what you're doing in the scene. Your residency, a new event series you're launching, a milestone gig, or a unique approach to mixing. Give the journalist something to write about beyond the music itself. When you send a Promoly campaign, include your mix or latest production alongside a written pitch. The journalist can stream the audio in-browser while reading your story. Make it easy for them to say yes by including everything they need: audio, photos, bio, and relevant links.
Turning one piece of coverage into more
Press coverage compounds. The first feature is the hardest to get. Once you have it, mention it in your next pitch. "As featured in [publication]" gives the next journalist social proof that you're worth covering. Build a press section on your website. Link to every feature, mix premiere, and interview. When journalists research you (and they will before deciding to cover you), a page with multiple press clips tells them you're established and worth the effort. Share every piece of coverage on your social channels. Tag the journalist and publication. This public gratitude makes them more likely to cover you again and signals to other journalists that you're an active, appreciative interviewee.
Press Outreach checklist for djs
Identify your press angles
Productions, mixes, events, residency, or your DJ story. Pick the angle that's most interesting right now.
Research relevant publications
Find blogs, magazines, and podcast networks that cover DJs in your genre.
Build a tagged media list
Add journalist contacts to Promoly. Tag by publication, content type, and genre.
Prepare press materials
Photos, bio, links to previous coverage, and a short pitch. Have these ready before you email anyone.
Upload audio to Promoly
Add your latest production or mix so journalists can stream in-browser.
Write a story-driven pitch
Lead with an angle, not just "here's my music." Give them a reason to write about you.
Send with enough lead time
Four to six weeks for features and profiles. Two weeks for event previews.
Follow up with engaged journalists
If they played your tracks, reach out personally within a few days.
Share and amplify coverage
Post every feature on your social channels. Tag the journalist and publication.
Quick tips
Start local
Your city's nightlife blogs and event listings are more likely to cover an emerging DJ than national publications. Build from there.
Offer mix exclusives
Recording an exclusive mix for a publication is one of the easiest ways to land press coverage as a DJ. Many outlets have regular mix series.
Time pitches around events
A pitch sent the week before a notable gig has a natural news hook. "Ahead of their debut at [venue], DJ [name] shares an exclusive mix" writes itself.
Frequently asked questions
Do DJs get press coverage or is it mainly for producers?
Absolutely. Mix features, event coverage, artist profiles, and podcast spotlights are all press formats designed for DJs. Many publications prioritise DJ culture alongside production.
What should I include in a DJ press kit?
High-res photos (both live and portrait), a bio (150 to 200 words), a list of notable gigs, links to mixes, and links to any previous press coverage.
Should I pitch local or national media first?
Start local. Coverage in your city's scene builds credibility and is easier to secure. National outlets take notice once you have a track record.
Can I send mixes through Promoly?
Yes. Upload your mix as a single audio file. Journalists stream it through the in-browser player just like individual tracks.
Related resources
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