Music Blog Submissions: What Works, What Doesn’t

#1 - Are You Sure It’s Ready?

Before you even think about pitching, you need to be brutally honest with yourself. Is this song truly ready to be heard by strangers in the industry, not just your mom? If the mix is muddy, the vocals are pitchy, or the energy dips in the second verse, you're not ready. First impressions matter, and editors rarely give second chances.

Test your track by sharing it with fellow artists who won’t sugarcoat it. Play it on multiple systems: car, earbuds, laptop speakers. Ask if the hook sticks, if the mood lands, and if the song holds attention all the way through. You don’t need a perfect mix or a hit record but you do need something people want to play more than once. You got ONE chance at a first impression, it's better not to blow it.

⚠️ Important: Not sure if your song is ready? Read this first before hitting send.

Writing the Perfect Pitch

Before you write a single word, remember this: the person reading your email is not waiting around to discover you. Most blogs are passion projects — they’re run by music lovers, yes, but also by busy humans juggling inbox overload. What they’re looking for is simple: music that fits their vibe, a story that grabs attention, and a message that doesn’t waste time.

A good pitch isn’t just polite — it’s purposeful. You’re showing them that your music is worth their time, and that you respect the work they do. That means no attachments, no essays, and no lazy copy-paste jobs.

Here’s what your pitch should include:

• A short intro (name, city, genre — in one line)
• 1–2 sentence song description (focus on mood + theme, not “latest single” hype)
• A sentence on why you’re sending it to *this* blog
• A clean streaming link (Spotify or private SoundCloud preferred)
• A link to your EPK or website (don’t attach files!)

Your subject line also matters. Editors skim their inboxes, so vague lines like “Check this out” or “New track!” get ignored. Be specific and professional. Lead with genre or mood, and keep it short.

💡 Example: Indie Hip-Hop: Reflective, jazz-infused single from Nashville artist

Here’s a sample pitch that hits all the right notes:

Hey [Blog Name],

I’m Jayno, a hip-hop artist from Nashville blending jazz samples and introspective lyrics. I just dropped a new track called “Late Night Edits” — it’s a moody, boom-bap-style single about chasing clarity while the world’s asleep.

I’ve been following your site for a while and noticed you’ve covered artists like Kota the Friend and Navy Blue — I think this would resonate with your readers.

Here’s the streaming link: [SoundCloud or Spotify URL]
EPK: [Link to your SongTakes or personal site]

Appreciate your time,
– Jayno

Have a Clean EPK

Once you land that first click, the next few seconds are critical. A great pitch will get a blogger interested — but your EPK is what seals the deal. Think of it like a one-stop shop for everything they need: music, story, visuals, and links. If they have to dig around or squint at a messy layout, you’ve already lost momentum.

Your EPK should feel professional and intentional. Include a short artist bio (3–4 lines), a standout photo, streaming links, and a clear feature track. If you're pitching an album or EP, highlight the single they should start with. Bonus: if the blog ever needs to download assets (press photo, logo, WAV/MP3), make sure it’s easy — don’t force them to ask.

Whether you're using your own site or a tool like SongTakes, your goal is the same: make it effortless for someone to say “yes.”

💡 Want a fast way to build a great one? Create your EPK with SongTakes in minutes, no code, no mess.

Build Relationships

Pitching is also about building connections that last. Don’t treat music blogs like vending machines. Start by following writers and editors on Threads, Twitter, or Instagram. Engage with their work. Leave a comment when something hits. People notice that stuff — especially when it’s sincere.

If someone features your track, send a short thank-you email. Not a novel just a line or two of appreciation. That small gesture can open doors for future releases. And don’t stop with blogs. Use LinkedIn to find publicists, indie label A&Rs, and sync reps. If you reach out, keep it respectful and relevant. You’re not selling, you’re starting a conversation.

💡 Real relationships can outlast the algorithms and lead to opportunities you can’t buy.

Embracing Rejection

You’re not going to hear back from every blog you pitch. In fact, most won’t reply at all. It’s not personal it’s math. Many of these sites get hundreds, even thousands, of emails a month. There simply isn’t time to open, read, and respond to every one. Rejection (or silence) is baked into the process.

That doesn’t mean you should send the same generic message to 50 outlets and hope for the best. Your job is to stand out. That means doing your research, tailoring your message, and only pitching to blogs that actually cover your style of music. A little effort goes a long way.

When you do get feedback especially if it’s honest, use it. Every “no” is an opportunity to tighten your pitch, refine your sound, and get sharper for the next round. And if you truly believe in what you’re making, don’t stop. Send your next track, and the next one after that. Repetition builds trust. Progress builds traction.

💡 Rejection isn't the end — it's part of the filter that helps you level up. Keep going.

Start Smart, Stay Realistic

Don’t waste time blasting major publications if you haven’t built any traction yet. Big-name blogs get hundreds of submissions a day — and most won’t even open your email. Instead, start with smaller blogs and regional outlets. They’re more likely to give emerging artists a shot, especially if your pitch is strong and your music fits their vibe.

The goal isn’t just to “get featured”, it’s to land somewhere your audience actually hangs out. That’s how you build momentum. Target blogs that support your genre and scene. If you're making dreamy lo-fi pop, don't pitch to a gritty underground rap blog. Be intentional.

How to Choose the Right Blog

Not every blog is worth your time and definitely not your money. Instead of blasting out pitches to random websites, focus on the ones that actually make sense for you and your music.

Start with fit: Does the blog cover your genre? Look at the last 10 posts. Are they promoting similar artists? If you're an ambient producer, sending music to a punk blog wastes everyone's time.

Quality of featured music: If every post sounds like a random SoundCloud dump, be cautious. Reputable blogs have some curation if they’ll post *anything*, it probably won’t help *you* stand out.

Check the audience: Who follows them? A quality blog has real listeners (not just other artists, keep that in mind) and often has a mix of organic blog traffic and social media followers. You can check their Twitter, Threads, or Instagram to see how people engage with their posts.

Look at presentation: If the blog looks like it hasn’t been updated since 2015 or has broken images and copy-paste bios, it’s probably not worth the effort. A decent design and consistent posts are a good signal they take their platform seriously.

Understand pay-to-post: Some blogs charge a fee to review or feature music. That’s not always a red flag — platforms like SubmitHub or Groover operate this way and offer real feedback. But avoid sites that guarantee glowing coverage for money. It’s not real PR if they praise everything.

Bottom line: Quality over quantity. You’ll get better results pitching 10 relevant outlets than 100 random ones.

Indie Blog Examples

These five outlets are known for showcasing independent artists and can move the needle if your song is a match. Don’t mass-blast, send a thoughtful, targeted pitch with a strong track and clean EPK.

👀 Legal crap: These links aren’t affiliated with SongTakes. We’ve done our best to vet them, but there’s no warranty, guarantee, or promises — use your judgment, and don’t blame us if a link dies or a blog ghosted you.