How To Pitch Indie Music Blogs (as an independent artist)
Independent music blogs can be a great source of media recognition for your new song, plus they can be a lot more attainable for growing artists than huge name publications are. Here at Evergreen, we have a PR house to conduct campaigns for our artists’ releases and their overall brands, but it’s crucial to remember that not every artist has the privilege of being able to hire a team to do this for them. We hope these tips - straight from our Director of Artist Development, Liam Grocki - can put you on the right path when DIY-ing your next pitch.
Be intentional with who you pitch
Research each blog so that you understand the specifics of the music they generally highlight. While genre compatibility is very important, this can go beyond genre to such details as tempo, vibe, and song/artistic message. Also, have a clear idea regarding what your release is about, and then seek out publications that might be interested in exploring the specific subject matter of the song with you. That subject might be mental health, relationships, healing, religion, women’s empowerment, or any other socially relevant causes. In the same vein, what specific segments or features might be a good fit for your song or for you as an artist? Knowing how you fit into the current landscape of the music industry will go a long way in helping you successfully pitch your song.
Be sure to follow the publications you’re pitching on social media
Taking the time to follow publications on their socials shows that you support their work and that you’re a fan of their brand. If the publication features your music, you will easily be able to repost the feature and leverage your platforms to show off your wins! Your share then continues the interaction with the publication and lets them know that you’re appreciative of their support. In addition, it will help direct your audience to their page ultimately creating a mutually beneficial relationship which is helpful in continuing to work with them in the future.
Customize your pitch template when necessary
Having a general pitch template is a great tool in streamlining your workflow, but taking the time to customize it for certain publications can really help your pitch stand out. Is there a specific feature you’re looking for? Are you a fan of that publication? Have they featured you before? Have you been keeping up with their blog for years? Template customization is a great opportunity to share these specific details and prove your interest and effort.
Have a one-sheet to include in your pitches
A one-sheet is a convenient way to deliver all relevant assets and information to publications in a visually appealing manner. You can include things like downloadable photo links, a press release, bio, and any interesting talking points that could be further discussed in an interview setting. Remember, your goal is to make the writer/editor’s job as easy as possible, and being thorough with the information you provide will be very helpful to them.
Start pitching 3+ weeks before release day
Pre-release pitching is key in starting your project’s roll-out with a bang! You need ample time to let publications know about your release if you want to have coverage within the first week of release or on release day. Additionally, if you’re interested in landing an exclusive premiere with a publication, give yourself around a month to start pitching to different outlets. Once the project is out, publications will generally be most open to your pitches within 2-3 weeks of release, so making sure to capitalize on pre-release time is essential to gaining valuable media coverage.
Have questions about how we run our campaigns at Evergreen? Hit us up!
