How to get your music noticed by bloggers.

On average a blogger will sift through hundreds of email requests per day, and they take the time to listen to an incredible amount of music. It is up to you to have a good relationship with the blogger, not the other way around.

Creating this good relationship can be really beneficial to your career, even if you are just starting out. Naturally, you don't want to be that person that just spams the writer's email with requests for reviews and such. It is important that you take the time to learn all that you can about the writer, and start making a connection. Here are some ways in which you can form a lasting relationship with writers.

1. Social Media

The first thing you should do is follow them on social media. Follow them in a meaningful way. You should never follow them just to send a message asking for coverage, and you shouldn't ever spam their posts just to shout out your new single, JUST DON'T DO IT! Social media is meant to be social, how about that.

Treat the writer as if they were a new friend, take your time, and eventually you will see a friendship begin to blossom. Once you have been friends with them for awhile and have interacted publicly i.e sharing their content or actively participating in the comment section it is then you should reach out to them with your music. You will stand a better chance of receiving coverage if you start off doing it for the right reasons.

2. Share, Share, Share

This would seem to be one of the biggest issues. As a writer I love it whenever someone shares one of my articles, and even more so when someone has something positive to say about what I have written. A big lesson that I have learned is that your ego is not your amigo. Don't be that person who will only share coverage of yourself. If you read something of interest about a new band or come across an article of a new single release then you should share it (be sure to tag the author).

3. Your Live Show

As you begin to cultivate good relationships you should keep an email list of writers within the areas where you will be performing. When you have an upcoming show you should invite these local writers. Be sure to mention that their ticket or cover charge will be taken care of. It is also a good idea to reserve a table ahead of time for them. Always be polite and respectful whenever reaching out. Should they decline your offer then be sure to follow up with a gracious thank you email.

Of course, if you are working with a PR firm then they should already be sending out invites. A word of caution some so-called "labels"will say they are working on PR on your behalf, but in reality all they are doing is having their people write about your music under the guise of a publication that they already own. These types of "labels"are also the types that charge a monthly "development fee", so don't fall victim to these bottom feeders.

4. A Thank You Goes A Long Way

Don't be that person who can only take the time to thank a writer whenever they write exclusively about you. Should a writer attend a show at the same venue where you're performing, but were there to actually see another band you should take the time to introduce yourself and thank them for coming out. You should also thank them on your social media channels as well.

It literally takes just seconds to post a word of thanks or send a simple email thanking them. Not everything is about you.

5. Be Gracious No Matter What

If you approach a writer with your new release and it does not get the warm reception you had hoped, take it in stride. Not all reviews will be positive and if you receive a bad review, then you should not blast the writer on your social media. Instead, take the time to use the criticism as a learning tool. Email the writer and ask exactly what it was that they did not like about your release. Take that as motivation for the next release.

You have to remember that writers listen to music everyday, damn near all day so they have an ear for what is good and what is not.

I was once asked to write a review for an indie artist whose new release sounded like it was recorded inside of a metal culvert, the lyrics were mediocre at best, and the instrumentation was no better than that of a 1st year junior high band class. For the writer, it is dificult to write something positive about a release that they are not excited about after listening.