There are times when you need to make a great case for your music.
Whether you want to book better gigs, secure a playlist placement, get an album review, or find sync licensing opportunities, you should:
- Capture the attention of industry gatekeepers
- Make them curious enough to listen
- Prove you’re a good fit for THEIR needs
Here’s how to pitch your music and get results!
In the video above, you’ll learn:
- What makes a great pitch
- Strategies for music pitching
- Examples of bad music pitches
- The tools you may need for an effective pitch
- Outreach and follow-up etiquette
- And more
Mastering your music pitch
We wear a lot of hats as independent musicians. We’re often the creator, the marketer, and the primary force behind our own career growth.
When it comes to pitching your music to industry gatekeepers — people like music supervisors for TV and film, playlist curators, record labels, music journalists and bloggers, managers, and more — how do you stand out from the thousands of other artists vying for the same attention?
The video above goes into a lot of detail about the pitching process, all the assets and tools you may needs, how to craft an effective pitch, and more.
But for a quick overview, here are some of the main things to know:
1. Understand THEIR needs
One of the first things we discussed in the video above was how important it is to know your audience—not just your fans but the industry professionals you’re pitching to.
Before pitching, research the person or company you’re reaching out to. What kind of music have they featured recently? What are their ongoing projects? Tailor your pitch to show that you’re a good fit for what they need.
2. Develop a one-sentence pitch
Gatekeepers don’t have endless time to sift through lengthy bios or listen to hours of music. You need to capture their interest immediately, and that’s where a concise, compelling pitches comes in. In our discussion, we emphasized that clarity and confidence are key.
What sets you apart? What’s the most interesting aspect of your story? Sum it up in one or two sentences!
3. Make your music easy to access
Once you’ve got their attention, make sure your music is readily accessible. Don’t send attachments or weird links. Keep it simple. YouTube is pretty universal. If you have a smartlink or website landing page with embeds and links to the most popular streaming services, great!
If you’re pitching to music supervisors, have a page on your website with downloadable hi-res files, stems, and an instrumental mix.
4. Follow-up (but don’t be aggressive)
It’s crucial to check back in. Just don’t get annoying or pushy. Gatekeepers talk to one another and a bad reputation can spread fast.
Be persistent but polite. Send a short follow-up email 1-3 weeks after your initial pitch.
5. Expect rejection — but be ready to learn from it
Not every pitch will deliver the results you want. In fact, it’s a numbers game — and MOST pitches will lead to a rejection, or simply go ignored. Don’t take it personally. There are often hundreds or even thousands of other musicians pitching for that opportunity.
It doesn’t necessarily mean the gatekeeper hates your music. Might just be the wrong timing, or your music doesn’t fit their current need. If they explain WHY they’ve rejected your music, be willing to hear the feedback and consider what you can do different in future pitches or productions.
6. Network!
Meeting people. It’s important. IRL and online. Get involved in industry conversations, attend conferences, and actively build relationships with the types of gatekeepers you’ll be pitching to down the line.
Pitching your music effectively. It takes time and practice. So watch the full video above, prepare as best you can, tailor your message to the gatekeeper’s specific needs, and make that pitch!
Don’t give up in the face of rejection. Because it might be the NEXT pitch that opens doors for your music.
