For most artists, sending music promos feels like shouting into the void. You spend weeks finishing a track, finally hit send… and then nothing. No reply. No feedback. No traction.
The uncomfortable truth is that most music doesn’t get ignored because it’s bad. It gets ignored because it’s poorly presented, badly targeted, or sent in a way that makes it easy to skip. The good news is that this is fixable.
This article from promo.ly titled “Best Method For Sending Music Promos That Get Heard” breaks down how to send music promos that actually get heard, with added context for independent artists navigating today’s crowded music business.
Know Exactly Who You’re Sending Music To
One of the fastest ways to get ignored is sending the right track to the wrong person. Blanket emailing might feel productive, but it almost always backfires.
Before sending anything, you need to know:
- What role the recipient plays (DJ, playlist curator, label A&R, blogger, radio programmer)
- What genres they actually work with
- Whether your music genuinely fits their world
Industry professionals can spot a copy-paste email instantly. Targeted outreach shows respect for their time and dramatically increases the odds that your track gets played at all.
Build a Contact List That Has Context
An email address on its own is almost useless. A good promo list includes notes.
At minimum, track:
- Where you found the contact
- What style of music they support
- Any previous interactions
- How they prefer to receive music
This turns promotion from guesswork into a process. Over time, your list becomes an asset rather than a spreadsheet you dread opening.
Make It Easy to Listen
If someone has to work to hear your music, they probably won’t.
The Promo.ly article highlights a key point: different industry people prefer different formats. Some want private streaming links. Others want downloadable files. The safest approach is to offer both.
Avoid large attachments. Use clean, professional links that work on desktop and mobile. The fewer clicks between curiosity and playback, the better.
Use Promo Platforms as Tools, Not Shortcuts
Services like Promo.ly, SubmitHub, Groover, and LabelRadar exist for a reason. They organise delivery, track engagement, and reduce friction.
What they do not do is replace thoughtful outreach.
A promo platform can help you send music efficiently, but it won’t compensate for poor targeting or a lazy message. Think of these tools as amplifiers for good strategy, not magic buttons.
Write a Promo Email That Respects Attention
Your email is not a press release. It’s a brief introduction.
A strong promo email:
- Has a clear, relevant subject line
- Gets to the point quickly
- Explains what the track is and why it might matter to that person
- Stays short
Aim for around 100–150 words. Include the essentials: artist name, track title, genre, mood, and one clean listening link. If your email feels like work to read, it won’t be read.
Timing Is Not a Detail
When you send your promo matters more than most artists realise.
Mid-week mornings are generally more effective than weekends or late nights. Avoid sending during major release days unless you’re part of that cycle. Follow-ups should be spaced out and purposeful, not constant.
One polite follow-up is reasonable. Multiple reminders without new information are not.
Follow Up With Purpose
A follow-up should add value, not pressure.
Good reasons to follow up include:
- The track has received early support
- There’s a release date approaching
- Something meaningful has changed since the first email
A simple, respectful nudge is often enough. Silence does not always mean rejection. It often just means overload.
Think Long-Term, Not Transactional
The most important point in the Promo.ly article is also the most overlooked: promotion is about relationships.
Every email you send contributes to your reputation. Be polite. Be human. Engage with people’s work even when they don’t support yours. Over time, familiarity turns into trust, and trust turns into genuine opportunities.
This is slow work, but it’s the kind that compounds.
My Final Thoughts
Sending music promos that get heard isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about clarity, relevance, and respect.
If you:
- Send the right music to the right people
- Make it easy to listen
- Communicate clearly and briefly
- Treat promotion as relationship-building rather than begging
You immediately stand out from the noise.
Promotion doesn’t have to feel soul-destroying. Done properly, it becomes just another part of the craft.
For the original breakdown and deeper platform-specific insights, read the full Promo.ly article here.
