Writers and journalists have been writing about music for a long time. It can be as simple as reporting a news story about a new musician or band or it can be deeply engaging cultural criticism about the broader impact of a particular genre. Great music journalism has always combined a strong sense of purpose and audience with well-crafted writing skills.
Whether you are an established music artist or just getting started, you need to generate traction for your music, tours, and performances. A good way to do this is to send out a press release to reporters, media personalities, and influencers. A well-written press release can generate a lot of buzz for your events and increase your chances of getting featured in a music news article.
When to Contact Local Music Reviewers
The best time to reach out to a music or community event reviewer is 4 weeks in advance of your show. This gives you a chance to get your press release reviewed, approved, and scheduled for publication. It also allows for follow ups if needed. Make sure you do some research and find out if the publication covers Arts & Entertainment and how often (weekly, daily, monthly). Also, learn who the reporter is so you can contact them directly.
Some music news packages have been used on multiple radio stations in the same market area. This is common when two stations are owned by the same company and operate under a local marketing agreement or when one station contracts out its news production to another.