How to get your music blogged about is something every musician wants to know, but nobody really tells you the honest truth about. Well, today is the day they will no longer be able to say ‘I wish I knew that’ because today’s the day were going to stop bs’ing around and give it to bloggers straight about what will make them hit that delete button faster than you can say check out my SoundCloud.
But the death knell has yet not been sounded for music blogs, as fascinating as TikTok may try to make us believe. Or they know every neat band before anyone else seems to know about them, it is like they are the cool older cousin. But getting their attention? That’s where things get tricky.
The brutal truth about music bloggers
Let’s start with the harsh reality: most bloggers get dozens, if not hundreds, of submissions daily. Your email about how to get your music blogged about is probably sitting in an inbox next to 50 other emails that all start with “I’m an up-and-coming artist looking for exposure.” Original, right?
Unlike they are portrayed as being heartless machines, most bloggers suffer from what I call ‘submission fatigue.’ They have received it all: the begging, the blackmail, the personal history of how this particular song saved the listener’s life. What they want is something quite contrary to what they have ever had all along and what they have been accustomed to.
First impressions: Don’t mess this up
When figuring out how to get your music blogged about, your initial contact is everything. Scratch that – your subject line is everything. If your subject line sucks, your email dies in the inbox graveyard alongside all those “once in a lifetime opportunity” messages from Nigerian princes.
Subject lines that actually work
Do not use the plain “Music submission from Mandy” Instead. Rather, go for something such as “Brooklyn-based indie band explores country music through the lens of acid” or “An unorthodox mix of jazz and punk music that you never knew was possible.” Be interesting, not desperate.
The proper functioning and development of any sector of the music industry depend on personalities. It was not like some of these email accounts where they’re just asking people to listen to their music. She was able to schematically build an entire image and mood that would draw people’s attention. Learn from that.
Your press kit: The make or break moment
A press kit isn’t just a collection of promotional materials – it’s your entire artistic existence condensed into a few digital files. And yes, you absolutely need one if you’re serious about how to get your music blogged about.
What should be in your press kit
Your bio should not be less exciting as “learned how to play guitar at the age of 12.” The phrase actually goes to such an extreme that no one can care except if perhaps if you would be playing the guitar while wrestling alligators. J ust as you go for a vacation and get that memorable feeling when telling your aim was to enjoy a memorable vacation, often when you are out there, in the real world, telling a story makes people remember you. In the beginning of Mac DeMarco’s emerging career, his press information were as outrageous as his songs – and it was perfect.
High-quality photos are non-negotiable. My first concern here though is actually for real beautiful photography, not “my friend took this with their iPhone in my basement with all the lights turned off” quality. Just think, blogs are visible platforms that’s why it will stand out. Make them something worth to look at.
Finding the right blogs
Not all blogs are created equal, and if you plan to submit your death metal track, it will be as effective as using a chocolate teapot. Research is boring, but necessary.
Although bigger blogs are more beneficial than small blogs after reaching a certain length, small blogs are useful in the early stages of blog building. First, they are more likely to reply, and second, the readers are more often more interested in the content. It is nothing more than the music blogging food chain – you start somewhere, and start from the grassroots to bigger blogs.
The follow-up game
Following up is an art form. Too soon, and you look desperate. Too late, and they’ve forgotten about you. When mastering how to get your music blogged about, timing is everything.
When and how to follow up
It is advisable to wait at least a week before following up on a message so that the receiver gets enough time to think about it. And when you do, do not start the message with “just checking in”. It will also help them understand that you have visited their blog and read with some level of engagement, therefore refer to something specific. Perhaps they merely discussed an artist in the same vein as you – then use it as an icebreaker.
Building relationships, not just getting features
The musicians who consistently figure out how to get your music blogged about aren’t just sending cold emails – they’re building genuine relationships with bloggers. Comment on their articles, share their content, engage with them on social media.
Think of it like dating. Its like asking a girl out for dinner and proposing to her, don’t request a feature before the date has been given the chance of a proper introduction. Some of the most important aspects to consider regarding other people blogging for your business are bloggers are people, not promotional tools.
When things go wrong
Once in a while, some blog owners might perform negative postings. It happens. The worst thing that a person can do is to be defensive or to argue in return. People should take the criticism that they are given, understand it, and then continue on their path. That is why, the bands such as Radiohead who had numbers of negative reviews for their first couple of albums are now in extremely popular.
The long game
Understanding how to get your music blogged about isn’t just about one-off features. If you want to construct a community in the message board realm, you’ll must assert yourself into the world of music journalism. The more the general blogs that write about you, the more likelihood of other advocates that will be called to blog about you. It is a concept somewhat similar to the snowball effect, but with less snow and more streaming on Spotify.
It is notable that many musicians of the present day began with their inclusion in blogs with a small number of visits. Chance the Rapper could have easily been another SoundCloud rapper alongside Lil Uzi Vert and the rest of his counterparts, but blogs took a liking to him. The difference? Persistence and quality.
Final thoughts
Getting your music into the blogs is neither very hard, but I won’t refer it as easy. All one requires is time on his hands, dedication and above all great music. Despite having a quintessential pitch with the best sales pitch possible, if your music sounds like two cats fighting over a fish, then no blog will agree to feature it.
Just note that every great artist had a beginning of his or her career. It is important to remember that the Beatles too had been turned down by record companies before getting signed. The only thing which matters is that you do not stop creating and continue searching for a way to let people to enjoy your creations. Music blogs are just another tool of music promotion but still it is one of them.
The next time you’re wondering how to get your music blogged about, remember this: be genuine, be interesting, and most importantly, be worth writing about. The rest will follow.
