How to Get Your Unsigned Band Featured on Music Blogs and Press

Subtitle: A step-by-step guide to getting coverage — even if you’ve never done PR before

Press still matters. A feature in the right blog, online mag, or newsletter can spark new listeners, drive traffic to your release, and give your unsigned band valuable social proof. But most bands send out the wrong kind of pitch — or worse, none at all — and wonder why no one’s writing about them.

You don’t need a PR company to get coverage. You just need the right strategy.

Build a Press-Ready Foundation

Before you pitch anyone, your online presence needs to look the part:

• A solid bio that tells your story and genre clearly

• Professional (or at least decent) press photos

• Links to your best tracks or latest release

• A working website or smart link to all your socials and music

Make it easy for a journalist or blogger to find what they need in 30 seconds flat.

Create an Electronic Press Kit (EPK)

An EPK is a simple one-page resource that includes:

• Band name, genre, and location

• A short and long bio

• Press photos (with download links)

• Streamable or downloadable music

• Previous coverage or quotes (if any)

• Upcoming releases, shows, or campaigns

• Contact info and social links

You can host it as a Google Drive folder, a private webpage, or a PDF with clickable links.

Target the Right Blogs

Don’t waste time pitching to Rolling Stone on your first single. Focus on niche, genre-specific blogs, regional sites, and indie curators who actually spotlight unsigned bands.

Look for:

• Blogs that have covered similar artists

• Local music websites or community newsletters

• University radio stations or zines

• Instagram pages that feature new music posts or reels

Make a spreadsheet and track each blog’s name, contact info, music type, and whether they’ve responded.

Write a Personal, Effective Pitch

Here’s what your email shouldn’t say:
“Hey, we’re an unsigned band. Check out our new song?”

Instead, keep it short, specific, and human:

• Personalise it: use their name, reference something they’ve covered

• Get to the point: include your band name, genre, location, and what you’re promoting

• Link clearly: direct Spotify link, private SoundCloud link, or EPK

• Say what makes it special: “It’s our first release since adding our new vocalist,” or “This track blends grunge with electronic textures”

A short paragraph and 2–3 links is all you need.

Follow Up (Once)

If you haven’t heard back after a week or two, it’s okay to follow up once with a polite reminder. Keep it friendly. Don’t guilt them or act entitled. If they’re not interested, move on — there are plenty of others.

When You Get Coverage, Use It

If someone features your unsigned band — big or small — celebrate it. Share it on socials. Quote it in your bio. Thank them publicly. Tag them. These gestures help build relationships and lead to future opportunities.

One blog post won’t blow up your career. But ten small wins in the right places can add up fast — and open doors you didn’t even know existed.