Treat music journalists with respect when soliciting media for your songs. A relationship is built with artists with the best intentions. We can’t do our jobs well if we don’t treat you with respect. You can increase your visibility and reach new fans by introducing your music to new audiences through a song premiere, review, interview or thought piece.
You can’t let the press coverage you are making forever if you make these six errors.
1. You misspelled their name
One music publicist, who shall not be named, calls me Alison in every email he sends me. Although a small letter might not seem important, typos and grammar mistakes can be a big turnoff.
Even worse, I have met this publicist in person on numerous occasions and even shared a table at an event with him. Yet… “Alison.” I have not returned any email since the “namegate” scandal began several years ago.
Proofreading your email, text messages, and social media posts take only milliseconds. Google is the only reason to not correct the name of the Pitchfork writer. If you do the unthinkable and send an email with a typographical or naming error, you should immediately follow up and apologize. Then, you will never do it again
2. You can friend them on Facebook
You may already be friends with the journalist if you have a relationship. It’s a little risky to friend them randomly, especially if they are working through a publicist and have never interacted with you directly.
While networking and connecting is wonderful, there are many other social media platforms specifically designed for this purpose. Many people prefer to keep Facebook private. Instead, you can head to Twitter and follow the person, then thank them for writing. You can start a relationship on that platform and then move it to another one.
3. Be friendly only when you need it
This is a very common scenario: You’re at a concert and spot the music journalist who featured your song on their blog. Instead of giving them a second of your attention when they say hello, you are too busy with your bandmates and friends basking in the post-show glory.
Worse? Worse?
No, no, no. A writer who has spent their time listening to your music and giving it a fair review, and sharing it on social media is worthy of a chat. They don’t have to live in a box that only serves you and your music.
You can build a lasting relationship with journalists by being friendly and open to their ideas, regardless of the situation. One little mistake could cost you your job.
4. After the piece is finished, the pieces are dropped off the surface of the Earth.
When you see your name printed, it’s easy for people to get lost in the excitement. It’s easy to want to share it with everyone. You can post it on social media, add it to your profiles and website, print it and stick it on your fridge. Do you know what happens next? A week passes, and you get a new review on your EP. The cycle starts again.
Don’t forget to thank the author of the article. While we realize that a lot of the work we do is not worth it, we appreciate it when people go above and beyond to thank us.
Sometimes we will need additional assets such as a photo or sound file for the article. It can be frustrating to repeatedly email a publicist or artist for something useful to them and not hear back. Don’t do that.
5. Work with a disreputable publicist
It’s a truth you have heard all your life: The people around you reflect on you. This is doubly true for your music team. Music journalists, depending on their experience in writing, will be able to identify the Pintos and Cadillacs of publicists.
If your belief system is that “any publicist is better” than “none,” then think again. It is better to wait and save your pennies than to get a publicist with great, organic relationships with writers.
How do you know if your publicist has a good reputation? Ask around before you decide to work with one. Ask around.
The internet is your friend. You can Google around to find the publicist of an artist that is similar to yours and do some research.
6. We ask that you do not share our articles on your social media.
It’s that feeling you get when you put so much effort into writing, arranging, recording, designing the artwork and then releasing the song. But it falls on deaf ears and disappears into oblivion. Each musician has been there.
Imagine that you are a writer who has worked hard for an artist you believe will be the next big thing. It’s a great review that you are proud to have written and was featured on a popular blog. It doesn’t get the attention it deserves because the artist hasn’t acknowledged it on social media.
Keep in mind that your current fans are the primary target market for our pieces. They are the most likely to share and read our articles. If you don’t share our articles with them, they might never see them. We’ll think you’re unreceptive to the coverage, and we won’t cover you again. This is a quid-pro-quo situation. If we are willing to spend time writing about you, then take three seconds to tweet the article.
This is what it boils down to. Music journalists will be grateful if you treat them with respect and courtesy. Writers have a memory like elephants, and they can remember who it’s worth it. When your name appears in an email, make sure it is a clear sign that they have to protect you.