How to Write a Press Release for Music (with Examples)

With the rise of the internet and social media, online music promotion has become an essential part of any musician or band’s career. From streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube, to social media channels like Instagram and TikTok, the options are vast and ever-evolving for promoting one’s music online.

Press releases are among various other ways used by musicians and bands to effectively promote their music to a new audience. Whether you’re a ”new artist just starting out” or an ”established musician looking to expand your reach”, music press releases are powerful tools for reaching vast audiences with the help of media.

This blog post will discuss the importance of press releases in the music industry, it’s structure and key elements, how to write it, as well as tips for doing it effectively. Finally we’ll share some press release example for music for easy understanding.

Why should you do Press Release for Music?

Music press release is one of the most recommended option for promoting and building buzz around an artist’s work. In the music industry, press releases are often used to announce new music releases, tour dates, and other news related to an artist or band.

However, many musicians and bands remain unsure about the advantages of running a press release campaign for their music. So should a musician do press releases for their music? There are various reasons why musicians and bands should use press releases as part of their promotional strategy. Some of them are highlighted below:

Media exposure: A music Press release allow musicians and bands to reach a wider audience by getting their music and news featured in print, online and broadcast media outlets. This exposure can lead to increased visibility, credibility & ultimately more fans.

Increase album and concert ticket sales: By issuing an album press release, an artist or band can create excitement and anticipation for upcoming album releases and concert dates. As more people become aware, it can lead to higher sales for music shows and album.

Establishing oneself as a Star: A music Press release can be used to establish an artist or band as a rising star or the most happening band in their field. A well written press release like a news story can represent an artist as an expert musician and can unfold his various assets. For example, by providing quotes and insights about the creative process behind the music, an artist can position themselves as a thought leader in their genre.

Building relationships with the media: Press releases can help artist to build relationships with editors, journalists and media houses. This can lead to ongoing and future coverage and support from these outlets.

Keeping fans in the loop: Publishing Press releases from time to time are a great way for an artist or band to keep their fans informed about upcoming events, new music releases, and other news.

The Structure of a Music Press Release

Just like any other genre press release, a music press release also includes several key elements. The first important part is the ”headline”, which is a concise, attention-grabbing statement that summarises the press release’s primary message. It is generally accompanied by a sub-headline or sub-title, which further explains the headline.

Next is the date, which indicates when the press release was issued. The introduction of the press release starts with the location (city, state). Now, the artist or band is introduced and the main message of the press release is stated. A photo of the artist can also be added just after the sub headline to give a personal touch.

The main body of the press release represents the details of the music release, tour dates, and other news are provided. A background information about the artist can be provided like how he got started, his past music, concerts, achievements etc. This section should include an overview of the new music release, such as the title, genre, and release date.

Quotes from the artist or band about the release can also be included to add a personal touch and provide insight into the inspiration behind the music. Additionally, information about upcoming tour dates, venues, and ticket sales should be included. After that it is advisable to include streaming and purchase links for the music to make it easy for the audience to access the music.

The call to action and contact information sections are also important parts of a press release. The call to action should encourage press release readers to stream the music or purchase the concert ticket and invite the audience to attend upcoming tour dates. The contact information should include the name and title of the person issuing the press release, as well as contact information for media inquiries and social media handles for the artist or band.

Tips for Writing an Effective Music Press Release

When writing a music press release, it’s important to remember that the aim is to capture the attention of the media and readers. However, not all press releases are equal, and when crafting an effective music press release consideration and planning are key. Here are some tips for writing a good press release for music:

Keep it concise: A press release should be short of about 400 to 500 words and to the point. Too much jargon or overly technical language must be avoided and it should be easy to understand.

Use a powerful headline: The headline is the first thing that readers will see. The First Impression is the Last Impression. So, it must be attractive, engaging as well as informative.

Tell a story: A press release cannot simply contain facts: it’s a tale of the artist or band and their music. Any inspirational story of the artist can be included along with his past achievements, difficulties he faced, his advises to the newcomer etc Quotes, anecdotes should be included to offer an insight into the source of the music and the character of the musician.

Provide all the necessary information: Make sure to include all the important details about the music release and tour dates.

Use proper formatting: A press release should be well-organized and easy to read. Use headings, bullet points, and multiple paragraphs to break up the text. Give sub headlines to the para where required.

Music Press Release Examples

To further reinforce the points above, let’s take a look at two examples of actual music press releases:

Example 1: Album Press Release

Headline: “New Album from XYZ Rock Band to be released next month”

Sub Headline: The famous Indie Rock Band new album is set to hit the floors on February 15th.

Date: January XX, 20XX

Introduction: XYZ Band, the critically acclaimed indie rockers, have declared the unveiling of their much-anticipated fourth album, “The Sound of Now.” Set to launch on February 15, 20XX, it’s a representation of the band’s growth and development as musicians and songwriters.

Body: The Sound of Now is an assorted collection of songs that highlights the band’s distinctive mix of rock, pop and folk influences. The album has 11 tracks, including the lead single “Breaking Free,” which has already met with critical acclaim. John Smith – the band’s lead vocalist – had this to say about the record: “This is the most personal and honest album we’ve ever made. We’ve put our souls into it, and we can’t wait for our fans to hear it.”

In addition to releasing the album, XYZ Band will be embarking on a national tour starting in March 2022. Tickets are available for purchase next month so fans are encouraged to act quickly before they’re all gone.

The album will be available for streaming and purchase on all major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

Call to Action: Mark your calendar for February 15th 2022 and join XYZ Band in celebrating their new album release – The Sound of Now! Don’t miss out on tickets for the tour early next month – don’t wait too long or you may get disappointed!

Contact Information:

For media inquiries, please contact Jane Doe at XYZ Public Relations, janedoe@xyzpr.com or 555-555-5555.

Keep up with XYZ Band on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive news and updates.

Example 2: Tour Announcement Press Release

Headline: “ABC Singer announces 2022 North American Tour”

Sub Headline: The Tour will hit US and Canada from March 20xx.

Date: December 20, 20xx

Introduction: After a successful run of sold-out shows in Europe, ABC Singer is excited to announce her return to North America for a 2022 tour. The tour will kick off in March 2022 and will include stops in major cities across the United States and Canada.

Body: The tour, which is in support of ABC Singer’s latest album, “Heartbeat,” will feature a mix of new songs and fan favorites. The singer had this to say about the tour: “I’m thrilled to be back on the road and to share my new music with my fans. I can’t wait to see everyone and to make new memories together.”

The tour will include stops in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Montreal. Tickets for the tour will go on sale on January 10, 2022, and fans are encouraged to purchase early to avoid disappointment.

Call to Action: Don’t miss your chance to see ABC Singer live in concert on her 2022 North American Tour. Get your tickets now before they sell out.

Contact Information:

For media inquiries, please contact Michael Johnson at ABC Management, michaeljohnson@abcmanagement.com or 555-555-5555.

Follow ABC Singer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates and exclusive content.

Music press release distribution

Once the music press release is written, the next step is to distribute it to the media and journalists. Music press release distribution involves sending out a press release to the relevant audiences, media sites editors, journalists and music bloggers with the help of PR distribution networks. A press release can be distributed in several ways including:

Email: Send the press release as an attachment or embedded in an email to media outlets, Journalists, bloggers, and other relevant contacts. You can make a list of all the top music bloggers, journalists in your industry, as well as social media influencers. Reach out to them through email with your press release.

Social media: Share the press release on the artist or band’s social media channels, as well as relevant industry groups or pages.

Music industry databases: Submit the press release to music industry databases, such as AllMusic or Discogs, which can be accessed by media outlets and journalists.

Press release distribution services: Use specialized press release distribution services like PRwire.co which can help to distribute the press release to a targeted audience of industry professionals and media outlets.

For a press release to be effective, it’s necessary to use the right distribution methods and target the right audiences. Doing this can maximize the chances of the press release being picked up by media outlets and reaching more people. Additionally, it’s important to follow-up with any outlets that received the press release, to make sure they have all information they need.

Conclusion

Press release is one of the most important part of artist’s or band’s overall promotional strategy. If done right, it can result in an excellent promotional strategy.

Apart from PR, An artist should  also actively engage with their target audience via social media, collaborate with influencers and bloggers, and leverage other forms of media.