How to write a music press release that actually gets coverage [2026 template]

The run-up to release day can feel intense.

You’ve spent months perfecting every element of your release. Production, artwork, promotion - it’s all coming together, but until the moment your release is out there, you can’t be sure it’s all been worth it.

That’s where your music press release comes in.

While it’s important that you promote your upcoming release to your existing fans, through your social media, email newsletter, and other channels you’re building an audience on, the real key to making this your best release yet might be a press release.

Getting the attention of music journalists, bloggers and playlist curators will get your music heard by new fans, not just existing fans, helping you to take the next step on your music journey.

The problem is, as an independent artist you’re competing for attention in an increasingly crowded inbox. Media professionals receive hundreds of press releases every week - many of which get deleted without ever being read. The difference between being featured in music media publications and getting thrown in the Deleted folder comes down to how well your press release is crafted.

Which is why we’ve put together this guide to everything you need to know to create a press release that cuts through the noise and actually gets results.

‍

What makes a music press release effective?

Imagine opening your inbox and finding 100+ emails, all of which are trying to get your attention.

Unless you’re the most diligent person in the world, you’re not going to open, read, and digest every single one of those emails. You’re going to skim through the subject lines and open the ones that grab your attention.

That’s the context your press release will find itself in - and it’s where most press releases fail, before they’re even opened.

An effective press release gets that click. How? By making the reader’s job easier.

Press professionals are looking for music to talk about, write about, and share - they want to find stories their audience will care about, so your press release needs to make it as easy as possible for them to do that.

The best press releases share three core characteristics:

They’re newsworthy. Ask yourself, is this really news? New singles, album releases, significant collaborations, tour announcements and major streaming milestones are newsworthy (if shared in the right way). But getting a new follower on Instagram isn’t. Make sure what you’re writing a press release about is actually newsworthy.

They’re concise and scannable. Journalists make snap decisions on the spur of the moment, because they’ve got more press releases than minutes in their day. A successful press release gets right to the point and is easy to digest at a glance. Strong headlines, clear structure, and ruthless editing to eliminate the fluff all helps.

‍They give the journalist everything they need. Don’t make the journalist work hard to do their job. An effective press release gives them everything they need to write a blog post right there in your email. Give them essential information, relevant quotes, streaming links, press photos - make sure everything they need is easily accessible without extra legwork.

‍

Essential Elements of a Music Press Release

In many contexts, breaking the mould and doing something that stands out is a good thing. But that’s not always the case in the PR world.

As we’ve already established, journalists are busy - so giving them a press release that’s in an unexpected format with a completely different structure to what they’re expecting might act as a barrier to them writing a blog post about your release.

Stick to the tried-and-tested structure, while incorporating elements of your personality, creativity and newsworthiness along the way.

‍

Headline Best Practices

Your headline (which is usually the same as your subject line if you’re delivering your press release via email) is the single most important element of your press release. It’s the first thing journalists see and is often the only thing that factors into their decision to open or delete your press release.

An effective press release headline should be between 8-12 words (short and sweet) and follow something similar to this structure:

Artist Name + Action Verb + Key News

‍

✅ Strong Headline Examples:

• ‘Manchester’s The Northern Lights Release Debut Album ‘Afterglow’’
• ‘R&B Artist Maya Announces UK Tour with Sold-Out London Show’
• ‘Electronic Producer STRFKR Collaborates with Grammy Winner on New Single’

❌ Weak Headline Examples:

• ‘New Music Alert!’ - too vague, no specific information
• ‘Incredible New Artist Drops Mind-Blowing Track That Will Change Everything’ - vague and hyperbolic
• ‘Check Out This Amazing Song’ - unprofessional and vague

‍

Strong press release headlines lead with the artist name and specific information about what’s being announced. Vague headlines that use too many adjectives and not enough facts won’t be effective.

For SEO purposes, make sure your headline includes your artist name and the type of release/news (single, EP, album, tour, etc.) - this will help your press release to appear when journalists are searching PR databases.

‍

Lead Paragraph Structure

Now that your headline has grabbed attention, your lead paragraph is where the journalist should get a summary of everything they need to know. 

Your first paragraph should answer the five Ws:

• Who
• What
• When
• Where
• Why

It should be a standalone summary: if a journalist reads nothing else in your press release, they should have information from this paragraph alone to write a short post.

Your lead paragraph should be 2-4 sentences and include:

• Your artist name and any relevant context (location, genre, background information)
• The specific announcement (new single, album, tour, etc.)
• The release date and/or when tickets are available
• One compelling detail that sets this release apart.

‍

✅ Strong Lead Paragraph Example:

‘Brighton-based indie rock quartet Coastal Drift has announced their sophomore album ‘Tidal Patterns’, set for release on March 15th 2026 on all major streaming platforms. Recorded over three weeks in a converted lighthouse on the Isle of Skye, the 10-track album explores themes of isolation and connection through expansive guitar soundscapes and introspective lyrics.’

‍

This example establishes who the artist is, what they’re releasing, when it’s available, and includes a unique detail (the lighthouse) that provides the journalist with a natural story angle. If a journalist read only this paragraph, they could put together a brief news article about the release.

The following paragraphs should be used to expand on the details in your lead paragraph, making sure to add any extra context and details whilst keeping every paragraph easily digestible. Paragraphs should be 3-5 sentences maximum, so that journalists can scan through your press release to pick up what they need.

‍

Quote Selection

Including quotes in your press release adds personality and authenticity, which encourages journalists to pay attention and can give them an interesting hook for their article.

A trap many independent artists fall into is including too many generic, sales-y quotes. Your quotes should be specific, memorable and intentional, not vague and hyperbolic.

‍

✅ Strong Quote Examples:

• “We wrote most of these songs during lockdown, recording voicenotes on our phones at 3am when we couldn’t sleep. That raw, late-night energy ended up shaping the sound of the entire album.”
• “I wanted to explore what heartbreak sounds like when you’re angry, not sad - that’s why there’s so much distortion and aggressive production than anything else I’ve released.”
• “Working with [collaborator] completely changed how I approach melody. They challenged me to strip away the layers I felt comfortable hiding behind.”

❌ Weak Quote Examples:

• “I’m so excited to share this music with everyone. It’s my best yet.”
• “This album represents a new chapter for me as an artist.”
• “I can’t wait for fans to hear what we’ve been working on.”

‍

Quotes that could have been written by anyone aren’t effective. The quotes should be adding something to your press release, not just expressing a generic positive opinion. 

The most effective quotes tell you something you wouldn’t already know from the basic facts in earlier paragraphs. They’re revealing something new, not reiterating something the reader already knows (or won’t care about because it’s so vague).

Include a maximum of 1-2 quotes in your press release, ideally one from you as the artist and another from a collaborator, producer, or label representative (if their perspective adds value). Place quotes strategically in the body of your press release after you’ve established the basic facts, using them to add to the story rather than telling it from scratch again.

Pro tip: write your quotes before you write the rest of your press release. Quotes will provide a tone of voice that feels grounded in reality and can inform the rest of your press release, avoiding it becoming infused with too much PR-speak.

‍

Music Press Release Template [Copy & Paste]

Here’s a template you can use to get started with writing your press release. Remember though: make sure you customise the content as much as possible, while sticking to the proven structure. Journalists can spot generic writing from a mile away, so make it yours!

Replace everything in italics with your own words, referencing the guide above for best practices!

‍

< – template starts here - >

‍

** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **

‍

[Your Headline: Artist Name + Action + News]

‍

[City, Date] - [Artist/Band Name plus brief descriptor, e.g. genre] [announces/releases/unveils] [type of release/event] [date of release/availability].

‍

[Lead Paragraph]

‍

[Paragraph 2: expand on the release with additional context - 3-5 sentences about inspiration, creative process, or background]

‍

[“Quote 1”] - says [Name], [role, e.g. artist]

‍

[Paragraph 3: artist bio and further context - 3-4 sentences about your music career, notable achievements, or relevant context]

‍

[Paragraph 4: additional details, including practical information, e.g. pre-save links, ticket sales links, etc.]

‍

[“Quote 2”] - says [Name], [role, e.g. artist]

‍

[Release Title] is available [now, or Release Date] on all major streaming platforms. [Include links or CTAs here]

‍

For more information, press enquiries, or for additional media assets, please contact:

‍

[Your Name or Publicist Name]

Email: [contact email]

Phone: [contact number]

Website: [your official website]

‍

About [Artist/Band Name]:

[2-3 sentence bio about who you are, your sound, and any key achievements. This should remain consistent across all your press releases].

‍

< – template ends here - >

‍

Press Release Formatting Notes

• Keep your entire press release to 300-500 words - any longer and you’ll lose the attention of busy journalists
• Use a clean, unobtrusive font - like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
• Include links to streaming platforms, social media accounts and press materials - don’t attach files directly to your email
• If the release isn’t live yet, include an audio file in a Google Drive (or other file sharing service) that you can link in your press release
• Make sure your contact information is accurate and clearly visible

‍

Press Release Distribution Strategies That Get Results

Now that you’ve written an effective press release, it’s time to get it in front of the right people. The temptation is to send your press release to as many email addresses as you can possibly find, employing a ‘spray-and-pray’ tactic.

However, that’s not necessarily the best way to distribute your press release. Instead, follow these tips to maximise your efforts.

‍

Build a targeted media list

Start by identifying media outlets that actually cover your music genre. There’s no point in sending your press release to a rock-focused magazine if you’re releasing ambient music. It’s a waste of your time and the journalists’ time. Research publications that have featured artists similar to you and try to identify journalists who cover multiple publications in your genre. 

Be wary of tools that promise your press release will reach the right people; while some are legitimate, many will be a waste of money and you’ll see no results. Doing some legwork yourself, as well as some strategic searching on places like LinkedIn, will build a more reliable media list than a shady tool can give you.

Build a spreadsheet with relevant contacts, including their name, the publication(s) they write for, email addresses and the type of news they typically cover. This will take some time to build initially, but you’ll be able to refer back to it, add to it, and use it multiple times moving forward.

‍

Plan your timings

Different types of media require different lead times, so make sure you’re giving yourself and your targeted journalists enough time prior to your release date.

Online blogs and music websites: 2-4 weeks before release

Print magazines: 3-6 months before release

Playlist curators: 3-4 weeks before release

Local press and radio: 2-3 weeks before release

Send your press release on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning, between 9am and 11am. Avoid Mondays, when journalists are catching up from the weekend, and Fridays, when journalists are winding down for the weekend, as well as any major holidays (factor in holidays in other countries and cultures, too!). Do your best to avoid big industry events or other major artist releases (especially if in your genre).

‍

Personalise your outreach

It may take longer, but personalising your press release emails can make the difference in getting coverage. Where possible, take the time to address each recipient by name and reference something specific about their work. 

For example, opening with something simple like ‘I really enjoyed your recent feature on [similar artist] and I think you might find our new single just as enjoyable’ shows that you’re engaged with their work, and makes them more likely to reciprocate your efforts with coverage.

‍

Create an Electronic Press Kit (EPK)

Alongside your press release, having an EPK gives you a quick and simple way to provide journalists with additional assets they may need in their article about your release.

An EPK is simply somewhere online where all your relevant assets are gathered. It can be as simple as a Google Drive or Dropbox folder, you can use a specific EPK service like EPK Builder or Bandzoogle, or you can create a page on your own website.

Your EPK should include:

• High-res press photos (at least 300 DPI, various orientations)
• Album or release artwork
• Artist bio (short and extended versions)
• Streaming and social media links
• Previous press coverage or notable achievements (e.g. playlist placement, radio plays, streaming milestones)
• Video content, if available

Include a link to your EPK in every press release, so that journalists don’t have to go hunting for additional information.

‍

Follow up strategically

If you haven’t heard back from a journalist within a week (and as long as you haven’t had an out-of-office or other autoreply stating how long a wait to expect), a polite follow-up email can help to nudge a response.

Keep it brief and polite, such as: ‘Hi [name], just wanted to check if you’d received my press release about [release name]. I’d be happy to provide any additional information or answer any questions you may have. Thanks for your time.’

Don’t follow up more than once, particularly in a short space of time. The more follow-ups you send, the more likely it is that you’ll be seen as too persistent and won’t get coverage.

‍

Consider investing in professional PR

If you’ve got the budget, working with a professional PR team that has experience working with independent artists can help to get your press release in front of the right people. PR teams often have existing relationships with journalists and media outlets that can increase the chances of you getting coverage - but make sure you choose support that you’re confident has experience in the right areas and has positive reviews.

‍

Ready to get press coverage?

Writing an effective press release takes practice, and you’re unlikely to land a massive media placement on your first try - but it is a skill worth developing if you’re determined to make music your long-term career. A well-crafted press release opens doors to blogs, playlist placements and media coverage that can massively expand the reach of your music.

Remember: journalists want to discover new music. You both have the same goal, you just need to be creating press releases that get attention and give journalists everything they need to give you coverage.

And don’t forget: a press release is great, but it should be part of a wider promotional strategy. Don’t neglect your existing audience in the run-up to release day!