How to write a music press release
When it approaches the time of releasing your audio creations to the world, whether that’s in the form of a single or album, one of the best ways to generate interest with your preferred audience is to write a press release.
This will go to blogs, websites, and music publications to tell them all about your upcoming releases, tempting them to explore and engage with you, thus furthering your reach. However, like all forms of content, there’s a good way to write a press release, and there’s a bad way.
We’re going to explore the best way, and teach you everything you need to know to get the best results.
Is a Press Release Even Necessary?
The first thing you’re going to want to ask yourself is whether it’s worth spending your time on writing a press release. You don’t need to write one of everything that goes on within your band or group.
Typically, releases are used to talk about upcoming album launches, pending tours or concerts, or new label signings. If it’s not newsworthy, you probably won’t need to write a press release.
Start Strong
Consider how many musical groups or artists there are out in the world, and now consider how many press releases are sent to relevant publications. Yeah, there’s a lot. This means reporters don’t have a lot of time to read each release.
This is why it’s so important to think about how you start your release. Begin with the most important information and something eye-catching that will hook your reader’s attention and makes them want to read on, rather than to disregard your release altogether.
Be Clear and to the Point
Hand in hand with the consideration above, you want to make sure you’re not going on and on about stuff in your release, but rather keep things concise and to the point. This way, the reader can quickly take onboard everything they need to know quickly.
As a rule of thumb, try to keep your press release to a single page where possible to keep things quick and easy.
Send Links, Never Attach Files
When you’re sending a press release, you’re probably going to want to send them a sample of what you do but should always avoid attaching this as a file. Many journalists understand basic computer safety and will never accept a file from a stranger.
Instead, attach links with your press release for the journalist to listen to. You could upload your track as an unlisted file to YouTube or Soundcloud, or just send them a link to your existing material, so they can check it out for themselves.
Don’t Promote Yourself
It may sound counterproductive not to promote yourself during your press release, but it’s important to remember these are professional documents and not marketing material.
“Keep things factual and neutral, and the marketing will come from the news piece. Save the self-promotional content for your marketing strategy, not a release. From a journalist’s point of view, they want to educate the public, not sell to them,” explains Tom Harrison, a music journalist for Paper Fellows.
Enhance Your Writing Skills
When it comes to writing your press release, one of the most important things you’ll need to consider is the quality of your writing. If someone is reading your release and it’s full of mistakes, typos, and errors, they won’t take you seriously, and all your work will be for nothing.
Below are tools and services that can help;
Via Writing / Writing Populist
Use these services as grammar resources to ensure your grammar usage is accurate and correct.
These are two online proofreading tools, as recommended in Academized review, to help you highlight and correct errors in your press release.
State of Writing / Simple Grad
These are two blogs full of tips and advice on how to improve your general writing skills.
Use these two editing tools, as reviewed by Australian Reviewer, to format and structure your press release professionally.
My Writing Way / Let’s Go and Learn
Use these writing guides to help you during every stage of your press release writing process.
Things To Consider
As you can see, there are a lot of things you’ll need to consider when it comes to writing a press release for the music industry. Just remember to stick to the point, be factual and neutral, and showcase yourself or your event in the best most concise possible way, and you can be sure you’ll get the best results.
This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.
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