How to Maximize Media Exposure for Your Music

Updated: Dec 4, 2024

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re not strategic about your media exposure, you’re wasting your time. A well-planned media strategy can amplify your reach, build your credibility, and open doors to new opportunities. Here’s how to craft a killer plan that maximizes your media exposure and gets your music the attention it deserves.

Make A Plan

Setting Goals: How to Set Achievable Media Exposure Goals

Start with clear, measurable goals. What do you want to achieve? More streams? Bigger social media following? More gig bookings?

• Specific: Define exactly what you want to achieve.
• Measurable: Ensure you can track your progress.
• Achievable: Set realistic goals.
• Relevant: Align with your overall career objectives.
• Time-bound: Set deadlines for each goal.

Examples:

• “Secure 10 media placements in three months.”
• “Increase Instagram followers by 20% in six months.”
• “Get featured on x podcast/website/zine by the end of the year.”

Find the Right Outlets for Your Music

You can’t get a sandwich at the hardware store. Just the same, there’s no point in pitching your sound to an outlet that doesn’t care. Focus instead on targeting outlets that genuinely align with your music and your audience. Here’s how to make smarter connections:

• Research: Look at where similar artists are being featured.
• Genre-Specific Blogs: Find blogs that specialize in your music genre.
• Local Media: See if there are any local newspapers, radio stations, and magazines.
• Podcasts: Target podcasts that feature independent artists.
• Influencers: Identify social media influencers who can amplify your message.

“Band playing show” image made by Lance Marwood

Craft a Compelling Story That Media Outlets Will Love

Journalists and bloggers are inundated with press releases every day, so your story needs to cut through the noise. Here’s how to make it happen:

• Unique Angle: Identify what sets you apart from every other artist. Is it your genre-blending sound, the unconventional way you create music, or an unexpected career pivot? Think about your influences, your creative process, or even your personal philosophy. Your story isn’t just about what you do but why you do it and how it’s different from the rest. For more about this, check out our guide on Artistic Persona.
• Personal Touch: Fans and media alike love stories that show your humanity. Share anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of your journey—your struggles, breakthroughs, or that one moment when everything changed. Personal stories make you relatable and foster a deeper connection with your audience.
• Relevance: Tie your story to something larger than yourself. Maybe your music speaks to a cultural moment, aligns with a social cause, or resonates with themes in current events. This not only makes your story timely but also shows that your music contributes to a broader conversation.
• Emotion: Great stories make people feel something—joy, nostalgia, inspiration, or even a little heartbreak. Think about the emotional core of your music and how it connects to universal human experiences. Why does your story matter not just to you but to your listeners?

Pro Tips:

• Avoid generic phrases like “passionate about music” or “inspired by life experiences.” Everyone says that. Dig deeper to uncover specifics that only you can claim.
• Research upcoming awareness days, festivals, or trends in your genre that you can tie your story to. A low-hanging example I’ve thought of just now is a mental health-themed album launch that could coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month.

Engaging with Media: Best Practices for Engaging with Journalists and Bloggers

Engagement is key. Here’s how to do it right:

• Personalized Pitches: Don’t send generic emails. Tailor your pitch to each journalist or blogger.
• Build Relationships: Follow them on social media, comment on their posts, and share their work.
• Be Professional: Be polite, respectful, and timely in your communications.
• Follow Up: If you don’t hear back, send a polite follow-up email a week later.
• Provide Value: Offer exclusive content, early access to your music, or interviews.

Measuring Success: How to Track and Measure the Success of Your Media Efforts

Tracking your progress is crucial. Here’s how to measure success:

• Media Placements: Keep a record of all your media mentions and features.
• Engagement Metrics: Track likes, shares, comments, and overall engagement on social media posts related to media coverage.
• Website Traffic: Use Google Analytics to see if media coverage is driving traffic to your website.
• Streaming Numbers: Monitor changes in your streaming numbers after media features.
• Feedback: Pay attention to feedback from fans and industry professionals.

Conclusion

By setting clear goals, targeting the right outlets, crafting a compelling story, engaging effectively with the media, and measuring your success, you can turn media exposure into a powerful tool for your music career.