[TIPS via @MrHawthorn] How To Write A Blog Submission

Why am I writing this post?:

On my own blog, www.therootmusic.blogspot.com, I accept submissions from independent artists. For the life of me, I cannot comprehend why only a handful of submissions seemed to have a low level of effort put into them. The rest? Although simple, short and concise were almost disrespectful. Too many artists have the assumption I should have already heard of them. Usually those are the ones with under 1000 followers on Twitter and little-to-no buzz what-so-ever. Simply writing “Please consider my mixtape for a review, thanks” will not be enough for any credible blogger. Personally those that put some serious work into their submissions are the ones who I tend to take the time to research more into, and listen to more music than they submitted. Whereas those who put little effort, usually end up being deleted without a second listen to their low-quality record.

Why are blog submissions important?:

It is almost as though the artists do not understand the importance of blog submissions. Some don’t bother at all, simply taking to Twitter to request a review either directly through my mentions or privately through direct message. Why? I guess it’s easier for them. But, it’s also easier for me to forget you if you do that. A blog submission, done correctly, is your gateway to more exposure which could bring you more fans, more profit and ultimately more success. Until you’re on regular rotation on major, national radio stations, you’re not too big for blog submissions. There will still be people who haven’t heard of your music, and you need to try to get coverage on every blog in the world. Not just a couple you found on the first page of your Google search.

Subject:

The subject of your blog submission might be the most important part of the whole process. Much like first impressions, since the subject is the first thing the blogger will see. There are a range of different tips for what your subject should be. Personally, I believe it should be short and concise but also stand out and feed the correct information. Your email address, should probably already give your name away. You should add your artist pseudonym anyway however to reinforce who you are, and avoid confusion – If you’re email address is neither your real or stage name, consider changing it. You should ask yourself what is it that you’re requesting a submission for? A single? A video? A mixtape? That is what the blogger will want to know too. You’re subject should start with “New Single: Mr. Hawthorn – Name Of Single”.

Addressing the blogger:

When addressing a Blogger for the first time, avoid being overly colloquial. As loose as Hip Hop is, you must remember that this is a business transaction and you should maintain a professional appearance throughout. You don’t have to address me as “sir” but I’d rather that than you spoke as though we were to young adolescents “dude”. Even “bro” isn’t acceptable for first email. You should however make it personal to the blog, distinguish the bloggers gender in order to escape the awkwardness when you address a female blogger as you would a man. You should also make sure you ask a polite question to the blogger, a simple “how are you today” will do. In order to make the conversation friendly, and polite, from the off.

Quick message:

This should be one paragraph or three-to-four sentences which will attract the blogger to your music. It might be worth doing some research on the blogger and finding out their interests, particularly what type of music they have been listening to, quoting on twitter or blogging about and drawing comparisons. For example, as a big fan of emotional resonating Hip Hop tracks, it’d be wise when submitting music to me, to explain of how this track is “very personal” to you. Others may love club-hop, so then stress how you love to make music which is uplifting and inspirational. You may even want to name drop any high key features, cosigns or major blogs who have covered your music in the past. Key words such as première and exclusive are often what bloggers want to hear. I’m much more likely to work with an artist who wants to use my blog for an exclusive, that doesn’t mean you give every blog and exclusive. Just mention you have done in the past, and if they see there is a chance of one, they’re more likely to read on to your main message.

Image:

Another website I write for, www.milehimusic.com, refuses to accept any of my posts which don’t include a featured image. Which in turn, means that I tend to ignore many submissions which don’t attach an image. Many blogs and bloggers are the same. Make sure you include a high resolution image in your blog submission of yourself, this way your face becomes recognizable and memorable for the future and not only will the blogger be more willing to write about you again, the fans will recognize you too and be more open to hearing you again. An extra image of a cover for your latest project wouldn’t harm either. That way your mixtape/album/EP is also more memorable and the next time a fan sees it, they’ll be more likely to take note.

Links:

The only thing worse than an artist who only includes download links of their music, is one which doesn’t include any links at all. Streams are a god-send for Bloggers. They’re quick and easy, allow the blogger to listen to a couple of tracks and then decide if they approve of your ability. A download link only submission usually scares me off. I don’t want to have to wait two hours for your mixtape to download, because the majority are awful, and I’m expecting yours to be the same if you can’t provide a link to your Soundcloud page. Music links aren’t all you should include however. Remember a lot of bloggers provide links to your social network accounts in their posts, save them a job and include your links in your submission. This also makes it easier for them to research you, and find out if you’re likely to drive traffic to their site based on friends/followers/likes.

Press Release:

Many artists aren’t aware of what a press release is. Honestly though, I wouldn’t had I not studied A Level Media. A press release includes everything above in a continuous, fluent prose style. It should also give biographical information of yourself and your music. I’ll write a post in the future of what a press release exactly is and how to write one but should you include all of the above. That should be enough to capture the attention of a blogger. The press release is purely to give them solid information of what the submission is for, where you are from, when the submitted material is due to be released, why you deserve a blog post and how you are where you are in terms of your status as a musician.

I hope this blog post helps you with your blog submissions, I never want to receive a submission which has been given little effort , so make sure you spread this post around to your fellow artists. What do you think a submission must use? Did I cover everything? Let me know in the comments, below!

Written by: Lee Hawthorn
Edited by: Matt Whitlock