Get Free Blog Features (Crafting the Perfect Email) - WORKSHOP #1
- Musician Guidance
- Apr 26, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 11, 2022
Some of the best ways to distribute your music (and probably the BEST free ways) include sending your music to blogs and podcasts for features.
Why is this a great distribution strategy beyond the fact that there are several podcasts and blogs that will write about you for free? It provides you a platform to showcase yourself (not just your song).
Music is all about connecting with people. Sending links to your songs or running quick ads lacks the personal touch that features on blogs and podcasts possess. They allow you the ability to provide background on yourself, promote your songs (respectively) and build long-term connections and relationships.
In this workshop, we will help you craft the perfect email to increase your chances at those free features. When writing the email, you need to understand, there are five main components.
1. The hook (with value) - This is the very first line of the email (after the quick greeting) and by far the most important aspect of the email.
The hook is meant to grab the attention of whoever it is addressed to (blogger, podcast host, etc.) Many of these individuals (especially with popular blogs and podcasts) receive hundreds of requests every week (or even every day).
Due to the number of requests, it is not possible for them to feature everyone and so this “hook” separates you from the pack right away.
So what should a hook look like? It needs to provide value to the the receiver right away! So ask yourself, what value do blogs want? Readers, right? And podcasts want listeners, right? Of course, the more readers and listeners, the more money in their pockets.
So for the hook, you need to concisely and clearly tell them how you will solve that problem for them. In short, this is the value proposition. A value proposition is ultimately a statement that makes your offering attractive to potential customers (blogs and podcasts).
Typically, a value proposition should include who it is for, what the problem is, what the solution is and the benefits is brings. Since you will be sending it directly to the receiver, including who it is for is not needed. Nor is, what the problem is. Blogs and podcasts already know what their problem is, you do not need to tell them that.
So the two components you need are:
1 - What the Solution is
For example, a potential solution is you have a loyal fanbase that would be happy to support the blog or podcast.
2 - The Benefits it Brings
A potential benefit is it will provide more readers or listeners. One thing to take note of is quantifiable numbers work way better. For example, “I can being 500 readers (or 500 viewers) to your blog (or podcast)” works exponentially better than, “I can bring many readers to your blog (or many viewers to your podcast).”
So you know the two components of the hook, but now you need to compile them into one clear and concise sentence. An example is, “I have an opportunity for you to share your blog (or podcast) with my loyal fanbase, which in the past has brought about 500 monthly readers (or viewers) to blogs (or podcasts) for free.”
Let’s analyze that hook from a blogs (or podcasts perspective). Gaining 500 engaged and loyal readers (or listeners) definitely solves the problem of not enough readers or viewers, and on top of that, it is free. Which blog or podcast would deny that? No smart one!
2. Compliment - There will be a lot of skepticism going through the minds of the receiver of the email at this point and so the next two sections are important to resolve this doubt.
The first way to do that, is to show you know something about the blog. This is important to show the email is not spam. Nobody likes spam. Everybody takes pride in their work and wants to be appreciated. Show them you appreciate their blog and/or podcast.
In order to do that, you need to provide a compliment. It does not have to be huge (and certainly do not make it cheesy). An example could be, “I just read your blog post (or listened to your podcast episode) titled ‘tips to succeed as an independent artist’ and loved it, especially the tip about staying true to your style. I never thought of that before.”
Now the receiver knows you’re not only not spam, but you are a follower of theirs (or at the very least, did some research on them).
3. About You - This section of the email is to finally share a bit about yourself. While we all love to talk about ourselves and our music journeys, you need to keep in mind the value you bring to the receiver.
For example, “Allow me to introduce myself, my name is _____ and I have been growing my fanbase and sharing my music for ten years. Throughout the journey, I’ve collaborated with amazing, hardworking and loyal musicians and music professionals.”
That’s a general example and works great because it shows the blog (or podcast) you are a serious musician, that has contacts and a loyal fanbase. In other words, the blog (and/or podcast) has a lot to gain by featuring you.
4. What you want - Now it’s time to explain what you want. It is very important not to ask for too much. Asking for just one more thing could ruin the entire chance at a feature. Also the way you ask is very important. It is important to be direct, but it must be done in the right way.
For example, simply saying, “I want a feature” almost shows that everything before this in the email was a sales pitch (which it basically was), but in a more rude manner.
Instead, show how grateful you are to be in this position. Show how honoured you would be to have a feature, but still be direct. An example is, “I saw you featured artists and I think that is so amazing. I would love to inquire to see how I too can be featured?”
It’s not pushy, but it gets straight to the point.
5. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) - The last main component of the email is to provide a fear of missing out to the blog (and/or podcast). Nobody (or very few people) are okay with missing out on opportunities. Use this to your advantage.
Feel free to share anything exciting about the song or album you are releasing that would leave a feeling to the receiver that they need to feature you.
An example is, “I had my song reviewed by (one of Musician Guidance’s Mentors) and they loved it or provided such great feedback that I am confident it will be widely successful.”
What does that show? It means that in addition to the 500 readers (or listeners) they will get, your single (or EP, or album) could absolutely blow up. Who could resist the fear of missing out on that? Exactly, no one!
A Few Things to consider
1 - Do not overestimate what you will provide them - If you do, the feature will be one and done. You want to build relationships with these people so that every release you have, you have them to help you distribute it.
2- This is not the email you send them exactly what you will like featured. Chances are they will have questions for you to answer in a further email (or some other process).
3- The email should be short, clear and concise. If any writing you have in the email does not serve a purpose, it should not be in the email.
Your Turn
Now it is your chance to create the perfect email surrounding yourself and your music. After you have done that, email it us for free feedback.
Also, if you have any questions throughout it, email us them too! Remember, this is a workshop. We’re here to help you succeed.
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