How to Write a Music Press Release for a New Single

A strong song can still disappear in a crowded music industry inbox, especially when you’re an independent artist. A music press release gives journalists a quick reason to care, a clear story to publish, and an easy way to hear the track.

The best release is short, factual, and focused on one clear angle. It supports your email pitch, electronic press kit, and wider promotion. Start with the story behind the single, then build the document around details an editor can use.

Key Takeaways

• Give the single a clear news angle before writing, such as a collaboration, event, personal turning point, or change in musical direction.
• Keep the press release to roughly 300 to 500 words, write in the third person, and lead with the five Ws: who, what, when, where, and why.
• Replace promotional adjectives with specific facts about the genre, subject, production, release date, and listening options.
• Add one or two meaningful quotes, a short separate biography, complete contact details, and an organised electronic press kit.
• Personalise each pitch, avoid unsolicited attachments, send at an appropriate time, and follow up only once.

Make the single newsworthy before writing

Before opening a press release template, compare a few relevant press release examples. The goal is to see how a basic announcement becomes a specific story, not to copy wording.

Then decide why this single release deserves attention now. “My new song is out” is an update, but it isn’t a strong story on its own. An album release may need a different announcement angle.

A useful angle gives the release a clear centre. It might connect the single to a live event, a major collaboration, a personal turning point, a local community, or a wider subject that the song addresses. A new track can also gain news value when it introduces a new sound, follows an important career change, or arrives alongside a music video, fundraiser, or tour announcement.

Find a real reason for the announcement

Look for a fact that separates this release from your previous posts. Ask yourself what has changed, why the track is arriving now, and which audience will find the subject relevant.

Possible hooks include:

• A collaboration with an artist, producer, or songwriter with a clear connection to the track.
• A single connected to an upcoming show, tour date, public event, or tour announcement.
• A song written in response to a specific experience or community issue.
• A new release that introduces a different sound, format, or creative direction.

The hook should appear near the top of the release. If you bury it beneath a long biography, the reader may never reach it. A clear angle also gives the lead paragraph a strong direction.

Put facts before adjectives

Editors can use specific information. They can’t do much with phrases such as “groundbreaking anthem”, “incredible vocals”, or “the most exciting release of the year” unless an independent source supports them.

Replace hype with evidence. Describe the track’s genre, pace, subject, standout instrument, production detail, or intended audience. “A guitar-led single about leaving home” gives a journalist more than “a powerful song that will change everything.”

Music press release structure for a new single

A professional music press release usually runs between 300 and 500 words. Keep it to one page where possible. Write in the third person, use short paragraphs, and leave enough space for contact details and links.

Write a direct headline

Your press release headline should identify the artist, the action, and the main news. Aim for 8 to 12 words, and use strong verbs to make the announcement clear.

Useful headline patterns include:

• [Artist Name] releases "[Single Title]" on [Date]
• [Artist Name] shares new single about [Subject]
• [Artist Name] announces "[Single Title]" ahead of [Event]

These press release examples are starting points to adapt, not rigid formulas. Avoid writing the headline like a social media caption. A journalist should understand the announcement without opening the rest of the document.

Place a dateline beneath it, such as LONDON, UK, [DATE], then begin the release with the essential information.

Cover the five Ws in the lead paragraph

The lead paragraph should answer who, what, when, where, and why. Include the artist name, single title, release date, musical description, central subject, and where listeners can hear it.

Use this adaptable lead paragraph wording:

[Artist Name] releases “[Single Title]” on [Release Date], a [genre or musical description] single about [specific subject]. Written and recorded in [place or setting], the track explores [clear idea] through [distinctive musical detail]. It is available on [primary platform or official link].

Replace every bracketed detail with information you can confirm. The lead should work as a short news item even if the reader doesn’t continue.

Add quotes, a short bio, and useful contacts

The body should add context without repeating the headline. One or two quotes are enough. Each quote needs to reveal something the artist couldn’t communicate through a generic description.

Give the quote a point of view

A useful quote can explain the reason for writing the track, describe a production choice, or identify the feeling behind a lyric. Avoid empty praise about how “special” or “exciting” the song is.

Use a structure like this:

“I wrote ‘[Single Title]’ after [specific event or question]. The [instrument, vocal, or production detail] helped me express [clear idea], and I wanted the song to leave listeners with [specific thought or feeling].”

The finished quote should sound like the artist, not a marketing department. Read it aloud before sending. If nobody would say it in an interview, rewrite it.

Keep the artist bio separate

A press release announces something new. The biography explains who you are and gives background. A press kit brings together the biography, images, music links, videos, artwork, and other assets.

A social media post has a different job. It can be personal, conversational, and brief. The press release should sound objective enough for a journalist to adapt into coverage.

Add a short biography near the end, usually in two or three sentences. Mention relevant musical history, location, previous work, or current direction. Close with a clear contact name, email address, website, social links, and publicist details when relevant.

Package the release for quick access

A journalist should be able to hear the song, view an approved photo, and contact you without searching through several messages.

Build a useful electronic press kit

Your electronic press kit, or EPK, can contain:

• The final press release in the email body and as a document link if needed.
• A private or official streaming link for the single.
• Approved, high-resolution press photos and correctly credited artwork.
• A short biography, lyrics, credits, and video link.
• Contact information for the artist, manager, or campaign contact.

Keep the folder organised and make sure your contact details are current. Use simple filenames such as Artist-Name-Single-Press-Photo.jpg and Artist-Name-Press-Release.pdf. Check every link in a private browser before sending.

A release with several listening options can point readers to Mark Leigh on Spotify and Mark Leigh on Apple Music, showing clear artist destinations on streaming platforms. These are examples of useful destinations, not a reason to fill the email with a long list of platforms.

Don’t attach files to a cold email

Cold emails with large attachments often create friction and may trigger security filters. Paste the press release directly into the email, then include links to the track, EPK, and official website.

You can also provide Mark Leigh on TIDAL, Mark Leigh on Deezer, or Mark Leigh on Amazon Music when those destinations are relevant to the campaign. Send press photos as attachments only when the recipient asks for them.

Pitch music journalists with context

A press release alone doesn’t guarantee media coverage. Your email needs to show why the recipient is a good match for the single.

Personalise the email pitch

Research the publication before you write. Check whether the journalist covers your genre, location, subject, or type of release. Mention one relevant article, review, playlist, or programme when it genuinely connects to your track.

Review relevant press release examples before pitching, especially from outlets with a similar format or audience. A publicist can coordinate outreach when several outlets or deadlines need managing, but each email should still feel personal.

Keep the email short:

1. Address the journalist by name.
2. Explain why the single fits their target audience.
3. Paste the 300 to 500-word release below the introduction.
4. Add one listening link and the EPK link.
5. Sign off with complete contact details.

A subject line such as New single: [Artist Name] explores [Subject] is clearer than Please listen to my music. Don’t send the same message to a large visible list of recipients. Use individual emails or mail merge with care, and remove anyone who has asked not to receive pitches.

Time the send and follow up once

For online blogs, begin outreach before release day so editors have time to listen and schedule coverage. A few days before the single goes live can work for a short news item, while a larger feature may need more planning.

Print magazines usually work further ahead because their issue deadlines come before publication. Check their submission guidelines or ask for the next suitable deadline instead of guessing.

If you receive no reply, send one polite follow-up after several business days. Add a new detail if one exists, such as a video release or live date. Repeating the same email several times won’t improve the pitch.

Distribution services such as Prezly and MusicWire can extend your promotional strategy through wider press release distribution. They work best as part of music PR alongside personal outreach to local newspapers, a regional music blog, specialist music industry sites, radio shows, and publications connected to your tour stops.

Treat playlist curators and radio differently

Playlist curators and radio contacts don’t always need the same information as other media contacts. Adjust your pitch to match their role.

Give playlist curators listening information

Curators need to know what they’re hearing and where it fits. State the genre, mood, tempo, clean or explicit status, release date, and the track’s strongest moment. Include one reliable listening link.

Follow each curator’s stated submission process. Avoid sending a long biography or a general press release when a short track pitch is requested. Submit before release day when the platform allows advance consideration.

Give radio contacts practical details

Radio programmers may need the track length, clean edit, release date, artist location, genre, and download or streaming access. Mention whether the artist is available for an interview and include a short spoken introduction only when requested.

A radio email should make the next step obvious. Keep the music link near the top, then place the press release and supporting details below it.

Final checks before you send

Read the release once as a busy editor. Confirm that:

• The headline states the news in plain language.
• The lead paragraph covers who, what, when, where, and why.
• The copy stays within roughly one page.
• Every quote adds information.
• The artist biography is short and separate from the announcement.
• Links work on desktop and mobile.
• The email contains no unsolicited attachments.
• Contact details are easy to find.
• The structure and clarity compare well with relevant press release examples, but don’t copy unsupported claims.

If the campaign includes tracks that creators can use with credit, add a clear Free Music destination beside the other official links.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a music press release be?

A music press release should usually be between 300 and 500 words and fit on one page where possible. Keep paragraphs short so an editor can scan the announcement quickly.

What should the headline of a music press release include?

The headline should identify the artist, the main action, and the central news about the single. A clear format such as [Artist Name] releases "[Single Title]" on [Date] makes the announcement easy to understand.

Should I attach the press release and music files to a cold email?

Paste the press release into the email and provide links to the track, electronic press kit, and official website. Avoid large unsolicited attachments because they can create friction or trigger security filters.

When should I send a music press release?

Contact online outlets several days before release day when they need time to listen and schedule coverage. Print magazines often work further ahead, so check their submission guidelines or ask about the next suitable deadline.

How often should I follow up with a journalist?

Send one polite follow-up after several business days if you have not received a reply. Include a new relevant detail when possible, and avoid sending the same message repeatedly.

Conclusion

A successful music press release gives editors a clear story, useful facts, and an easy route to the song. Lead with why the single matters now, write factually in the third person, keep it short, and tailor each pitch to its recipient.

The track deserves attention, but the email must earn the first listen. A concise lead paragraph makes the announcement easier for an editor to scan and act on.