If you are releasing new music and hoping someone in the media will care, you need more than a link and a hopeful email. You need a clear, focused press release that makes a journalist’s job easier.
This post is based on the excellent guide from DIY Musician (CD Baby) on how to write a press release for your music. I have distilled the key principles and structured them in a way that you can apply immediately to your own releases.
Let’s break it down properly.
What A Press Release Actually Is
A press release is not an essay about your band. It is not your life story. It is not a hype document filled with adjectives.
A press release is a concise, factual announcement written in a format that media outlets understand and can quickly scan. Its job is to communicate NEWS.
That word matters.
You are not just sharing music. You are announcing something new:
- A single release
- An album
- A tour
- A music video
- An award or milestone
- A collaboration
- A major event
If there is no news angle, there is no press angle.
The Essential Structure Of A Music Press Release
According to the DIY Musician guide, a strong press release follows a clear and predictable structure. Journalists are used to this format. Do not reinvent it.
1. Header
At the top, include:
- Artist name
- Contact name
- Email address
- Phone number (if relevant)
- Website and social links
Make it easy for someone to reach you. If they have to hunt for contact details, you have already lost momentum.
2. The Headline
Your headline should state the news clearly and simply.
Not:
“Rising Indie Sensation Drops Groundbreaking Sonic Masterpiece”
Instead:
“Adelaide Indie Artist Releases New Single Inspired By Coastal Isolation”
The headline should answer: what is happening?
Clarity beats cleverness every time.
3. The Opening Paragraph
The first paragraph is critical. It should answer the classic journalistic questions:
- Who
- What
- When
- Where
- Why
For example:
“Adelaide songwriter Corey Stewart will release his new single ‘Title’ on March 15, marking his first release since 2023. The track explores…”
Keep it factual. Keep it direct. This is the part a journalist may copy almost word for word.
4. The Body Paragraphs
This is where you expand.
You can include:
- The story behind the song
- Recording details
- Notable collaborators
- Interesting context
- Career highlights that are relevant
Notice that word again: relevant.
If your new single was recorded in a historic studio, that matters. If it was produced during lockdown in a home studio after a personal turning point, that matters.
If you won a school talent show in 1998, it probably does not.
5. Include A Quote
DIY Musician strongly recommends including a quote from the artist. This gives journalists something personal and usable.
The quote should:
- Sound natural
- Reinforce the story
- Add emotional context
Example:
“This song came from a place of quiet reflection,” Stewart says. “It is about learning to sit with uncertainty instead of running from it.”
Keep it authentic. Journalists can smell fake inspiration from miles away.
6. Add A Short Artist Bio
After the main news section, include a short, relevant bio paragraph.
This is not your full biography. It is a compact snapshot:
- Where you are based
- Genre
- Key achievements
- Notable past releases
- Press highlights
Two to four sentences is usually enough.
7. Provide Listening Details
Make it easy for media to hear the music.
Include:
- A private streaming link if the release is not yet public
- Release date
- Distribution platform
- Any embargo information
Never send large attachments. Provide links.
Keep It To One Page
One of the strongest points in the DIY Musician article is this: keep it tight.
A press release should ideally fit on one page. Journalists are busy. Respect their time.
If they want more, they will ask.
How To Send It
Writing the press release is only half the job.
When pitching:
- Personalise your email
- Address the journalist by name
- Reference something they have written
- Explain briefly why your release fits their audience
Do not mass email hundreds of outlets with the same generic message.
Relationship building beats spam every time.
Timing Matters
Send your press release in advance of your release date. Media outlets need lead time.
If you email someone on release day asking for coverage, you are already behind.
Plan your PR alongside your release strategy, not after it.
My Final Thoughts
A press release is not about sounding impressive. It is about being useful.
It gives media:
- The facts
- The angle
- The context
- The quote
- The access
If you treat it as part of a wider, long term strategy rather than a one off blast, it becomes a powerful tool in your music business toolkit.
If you are serious about building a sustainable music career, mastering communication is just as important as mastering your craft. Your music tells the story artistically. Your press release tells it strategically.
Source: https://diymusician.cdbaby.com/music-marketing/how-to-write-a-press-release/
