13 Tips On How To Submit Your Music To Blogs

Struggling to get your music featured on blogs? You’re not alone. After helping countless artists submit their music to music blogs, I’ve seen what works and what gets ignored.

Most music curators receive hundreds of submissions weekly, yet feature only a tiny fraction. The difference between success and failure often comes down to your approach.

This guide will show you:

• How to build a targeted list of music blogs that accept music submissions
• What to include in your press kit that makes bloggers take notice
• When to submit your music for maximum impact
• How to craft emails that actually get opened and read
• Ways to follow up without burning bridges

Remember – blog success starts with professional sound quality. Before submitting your tracks, check out my collection of industry-quality beats that’ll help you stand out from the thousands of submissions music lovers sift through every day.

Best Music Blogs to Submit Your Music

Current state of music blogging

Let’s get real about music blogs. The landscape has shifted dramatically. While some classic platforms have faded, new digital tastemakers are rising up. I’ve noticed blogs still pack serious promotional punch – just differently than five years ago.

Key Players in Today’s Blog Scene:

• Pigeons & Planes – Known for being one of the top blogs that accept music submissions
• HotNewHipHop – Perfect for artists who want to submit rap tracks
• The FADER – Spans genres but loves fresh sounds
• DJ Booth – Deep hip-hop coverage and analysis

Here’s a quick breakdown of what top blogs are looking for:

Blog coverage benefits

Getting featured on music blogs creates a snowball effect for your career. Here’s what you’ll gain:

• Social Proof: Blogs give you credibility when pitching to venues
• SEO Juice: Each feature builds your online presence
• Network Growth: Bloggers talk to other industry pros
• Content Creation: Blog write-ups make perfect social media content

Success rates and expectations

From what I’ve seen working with new artists, successful blog submissions come down to three things:

1. Quality Content: Your track needs professional production value. Before pitching blogs, consider investing in quality beat production to stand out.
2. Smart Targeting: You’ll get better results from 10 well-researched submissions than 100 random ones. I’ve seen artists waste months sending music to blogs that never cover their genre.
3. Timing Strategy: Pitch exclusive premieres 2-3 weeks before release. Most blogs won’t touch tracks that have been out for more than a week.

Pro Tip: Want to know what works? Track your submissions using this simple system:

✅ Blog Name

✅ Contact Person

✅ Date Submitted

✅ Response (Yes/No)

✅ Feature Link

✅ Follow-up Date

Remember, blog coverage isn’t just about immediate exposure – it’s about building momentum. Every feature becomes a stepping stone to bigger opportunities. I recently worked with an artist who turned a small blog feature into a booking at a major festival because the right person saw the write-up.

Create Your Music Blog List by Genre

Building a targeted list of music blogs saves you time and boosts your success rate. After helping dozens of artists submit their music, I’ve learned that organization is key.

Rock, indie, and electronic music blogs

These genres have specific submission preferences you need to know about:

Top Rock & Indie Blogs:

• Stereogum – Loves alternative sounds
• Under The Radar – Perfect for indie artists
• BrooklynVegan – Covers punk to shoegaze

Submission Tips for Rock/Indie:

• Include band influences clearly
• Mention any live show experience
• Share your Bandcamp presence

Hip-hop and pop music outlets

The hip-hop blog scene moves fast. Here’s your game plan:

Essential Hip-Hop Blogs:

• RapRadar – Leading the list of music blogs for hip-hop
• 2DopeBoyz – Known to actively feature music from new artists
• WorldStarHipHop – Where viral content meets music curation
• XXL – Premier destination to submit to music blogs

???? Quick Hit List for Hip-Hop Submissions

1. Research recent posts
2. Check posting frequency
3. Study featured artist styles
4. Note premiere policies
5. Review comment engagement

Finding blogs by music genre

Let’s break down the most effective search methods I use with my artists:

Google Search Operators That Work:

"submit music" + [your genre]
"music submission" + [genre] + "blog"
[genre] + "music blog" + "submit"

Independent music blog directories

Skip the outdated lists. Here’s where to find active music blogs you want:

Trusted Directories:

• Hype Machine – Connects you with music curators
• Submithub’s blog directory
• Reddit’s /r/musicpromotion wiki – Find blogs that accept music submissions

Red Flags to Watch For:

• No posts in last 30 days
• Broken submission links
• Generic submission emails
• Missing genre preferences

Pro Tip: Create a spreadsheet with these columns:

Blog Name | Primary Genre | Secondary Genres | Monthly Traffic | DA Score | Contact Name | Last Active Date

I learned this the hard way – sending tracks to inactive blogs wastes precious release momentum.

Quality over quantity wins every time. Pick 15-20 active blogs that truly fit your sound rather than blasting your music to hundreds of random sites.

Build Your Press Kit

A strong press kit makes bloggers’ jobs easier. Here’s the exact setup that gets results.

Press release essentials

A strong press kit helps music curators make quick decisions. Include these essential links to your music:

Must-Have Elements:

• Release date
• Track name
• Featured artists
• Producer credits
• Genre tags
• 3-4 key song highlights

Social media links (Instagram, YouTube)

Numbers talk to music curators – but quality matters more than quantity. Include:

???? Platform Priority List:

1. Instagram: Active follower engagement
2. YouTube: Music video/performance content
3. TikTok: Viral potential
4. Twitter: Industry connections

Professional photos

After reviewing thousands of submissions, here’s what stands out:

Photo Requirements:

• High-res (minimum 1500x1500px)
• Both portrait and landscape options
• Recent (within 6 months)
• Consistent with your brand
• Clear face shots for hip-hop

Artist bio

You’ve got 15 seconds to grab attention. Structure your bio like this:

Spotify and SoundCloud links

Smart Platform Strategy:

• Pin your best track
• Clean up old content
• Set proper track tags
• Update all artwork
• Enable downloads when possible

Previous coverage

Got past features? Show them off right:

✅ Recent blog mentions

✅ Radio play

✅ Playlist adds

✅ Support from known artists

✅ Festival appearances

Pro Tip: If you don’t have coverage yet, focus on your story and sound. I’ve seen fresh artists get featured just because they nailed their unique angle.

Before sending that press kit, double-check every link. Don’t miss a major blog opportunity because of one broken SoundCloud link. Don’t let that be you.

Need that professional sound to back up your press kit? Check out my trap beats collection

Music Submission Guidelines

Let’s talk real – most artists skip these rules and wonder why they get ignored. Here’s what actually works.

Standard submission rules

Quick checklist for success:

Basic Requirements: 

✅ Private SoundCloud links

✅ Downloadable files (WAV/MP3)

✅ No mass emails

✅ Subject line formatting (short, catchy subject line)

✅ Short, direct pitch

Common Deal-Breakers: 

❌ Public tracks with low plays

❌ Spam-style pitches

❌ Missing basic info

❌ Broken links

❌ Large attachments

Format requirements

From the studio side, here’s what blogs expect:

Release timing

Perfect your timing strategy:

Ideal Submission Windows:

• Premieres: 2-3 weeks before release
• Reviews: 1-2 weeks before release
• News coverage: Same day
• Features: After release

Premiere considerations

Want that exclusive premiere? Remember:

1. One blog at a time
2. Wait for response (48-72 hours)
3. No pre-existing posts
4. Fresh content only
5. Clear release schedule

Just last month, one of my friends landed a major blog premiere by following these exact steps. The key? They reached out early and stayed patient.

Never claim “exclusive premiere” rights to multiple blogs. Word travels fast in the industry, and you’ll burn bridges quickly.

How To Submit Music To Blogs

Email pitch template

Skip the novel – here’s a proven template that works:

Subject: [Genre] Artist [Name] - [Track Title] (For Review/Premiere)

Hi [Blogger Name],

Quick heads up about my new track "[Title]" dropping [Date].

Style: [Brief genre description]
Similar artists: [2-3 relevant names]
Standout element: [One unique aspect]

Private link: [SoundCloud/Stream]
Press kit: [Drive link]

Thanks for checking it out.

[Your Name]
[Social links]

Personalization techniques

Make your pitch stand out:

Winning Approaches:

• Reference recent blog posts
• Note specific playlists
• Mention past coverage style
• Show genuine blog knowledge

Similar artist references

Smart name-dropping gets attention:

✅ Pick artists the blog covers

✅ Match sub-genres exactly

✅ Stay current (last 6-12 months)

✅ Limit to 2-3 comparisons

Standing out from submissions

These stats guide our strategy:

• Blogs get 50-100+ daily submissions
• Average review time: 30 seconds
• Response rate: 10-15% for targeted pitches

Attention Grabbers:

• Lead with streaming numbers
• Mention playlist adds
• Share quick production credits
• Include short soundbite quotes

Links and attachments

Keep it clean and professional:

Use SubmitHub for Music Submissions

SubmitHub changes the blog submission game completely. Let me share what works.

Platform benefits

Why SubmitHub Wins:

• Guaranteed responses
• Direct blog access
• Feedback quality
• Simple tracking
• Clear pricing

Success strategies

Here’s what top performers do:

Smart Credit Use:

• Submit to active blogs only
• Check approval rates first
• Read genre preferences
• Target matching styles
• Track responses

Quick tip: You can land more features by focusing on blogs with 20-40% approval rates instead of chasing the big names with 5% rates.

Alternative submission platforms

SubmitHub isn’t the only game in town:

Other Platforms:

• Musosoup (one-time fee of approximately $45 to set up a campaign. This fee is only paid once the submission has been reviewed and approved by Musosoup)
• Groover (€2 per credit)
• HumanHuman (Free, invite-only)
• Daily Playlists (Playlist focused)

Platform Comparison:

1. SubmitHub: Best for blog coverage
2. Musosoup: Good for UK exposure
3. Groover: Strong in Europe
4. HumanHuman: Industry connections
5. Daily Playlists: Streaming focus

Pro tip: Don’t put all your credits in one batch. Test different times and days as you can see better response rates on Tuesday/Wednesday mornings.

Perfect Your Music Blog Submission

Quality checklist

Run through this before hitting send:

Pre-Submission Checklist: 

✅ Audio quality check

✅ Links tested

✅ Spellcheck done

✅ Contact info updated

✅ Social media current

Email formatting

Keep it clean and professional:

Format Must-Haves:

• Plain text (no HTML)
• Standard font
• No attachments (just links)
• Proper spacing
• Clear signature

Mobile optimization

Most bloggers check submissions on phones first:

Mobile Checklist:

• Short paragraphs
• Quick-loading links
• Readable font size
• No huge image files
• Simple signature block

Contact Details for Music Blogs

Building relationships with editors who feature music regularly makes a difference. I’ve learned that personal connections matter more than perfect music sometimes.

Finding blog editors

Most artists spam the general submission email and wonder why they get no response. Here’s a smarter approach: build relationships first. Connect with editors on Twitter or Instagram before pitching. Like and comment on their posts about music they love. Show genuine interest in their work.

Some blogs list their whole team right on the site. Others need detective work. Here’s what works:

Contact Research Methods:

• Check staff pages
• Read recent post bylines
• Look up LinkedIn profiles
• Follow editor Twitter lists
• Join music Discord servers

Submission forms

Web forms might feel less personal, but they’re often the fastest route to coverage. Pay attention to these details:

Personal email approaches

The best way to find personal emails? Network smartly. I’ve seen artists land major coverage through simple networking steps:

1. Engage with blog posts
2. Share their content
3. Add value first
4. Make real connections
5. Then pitch music

Social media outreach

Skip the DM spam. Instead, try this approach I’ve used with artists:

Connect authentically first:

• Share blog posts
• Add thoughtful comments
• Join conversations
• Offer genuine praise
• Build real relationships

Build connections with key blog editors on platforms like Twitter etc. Consistent engagement over time can make your name memorable, increasing the chances of priority coverage when you submit your music.

Music Quality Standards

Quality beats quantity every single time. I’ve seen great songs get rejected just because of poor presentation. Let’s fix that.

Before You Submit

Production requirements

The bar for production quality keeps rising. Your tracks need to compete with what’s on the radio. From mixing hundreds of songs, here’s what I know blogs look for:

• Clean mix (no distortion)
• Proper loudness levels
• Clear vocal recording
• Professional mastering
• Strong arrangement

Looking for that professional beats that catch the attention on the first play? Check out my selection of industry-standard R&B beats ready for your next submission.

Digital presence

Before sending that first pitch, get your digital game tight:

Platform Setup:

• Active Spotify profile (Boost your chances of getting featured on Spotify playlists. Check out this guide for tips.)
• Updated SoundCloud
• Fresh social content
• Professional website
• Recent press photos

Release timeline

Time your submissions right. Here’s a schedule that works:

Release Strategy

Pre-release approach

Build buzz before releasing new music. Planning just a few weeks ahead can help secure multiple blog features and boost visibility.

1. Tease snippets
2. Share studio shots
3. Build email list
4. Engage followers
5. Prep content calendar

Post-release window

The first week matters most. Here’s your action plan:

Week 1 Focus:

• Share blog features
• Thank supporters
• Monitor feedback
• Track analytics
• Engage comments

Track Your Submissions To Get Your Music Heard

Keep organized or miss opportunities. I’ve seen artists lose big features by forgetting follow-ups.

Response monitoring

A simple spreadsheet saves headaches. Track these points:

• Blog name
• Contact person
• Submit date
• Response type
• Follow-up date

Follow-up best practices

No response? Here’s what works:

Smart Follow-up Plan:

• Wait 5-7 days
• Keep it brief
• Add value (new info)
• Stay professional
• Know when to move on

Building blog relationships

Turn one feature into ongoing coverage by building genuine connections. Consistent networking can lead to automatic coverage over time.

Relationship Tips:

• Share their posts
• Thank them properly
• Keep in touch
• Support other artists
• Stay genuine

Promoting features

Got that blog post? Make it count:

1. Share across platforms
2. Tag blog properly
3. Add to press kit
4. Email newsletter
5. Update website

Final Thoughts

Landing coverage on music blogs you want isn’t just about luck – it’s about smart strategy and persistence. Success comes down to three key things: quality content, targeted outreach, and professional follow-through.

Every major artist started exactly where you are, pitching to music curators and building relationships one blog at a time. Stay patient, keep your standards high, and focus on making genuine connections with music lovers in the industry.