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How to Attract Fans , Media , & Industry Part 3 : Media Spotlight
By Diane Foy
Are you a musician looking to stand out from the crowd ? Are you aiming to reach a larger audience and gain the respect of the music industry ? If so , music publicity can be the key to unlocking your star power .
Before you rush out and hire a publicist or blast a copy-and-paste pitch to every media contact you can find , stop . The first two parts of this column series are vital to your success . An authentic personal brand and purpose-driven content is the foundation required .
When you are ready to slide into the spotlight , this guide will help you make the most of every opportunity .
Gather Your PR Assets PR assets compiled into an electronic press kit ( EPK ) are essential for any artist or musician who wants to get media attention . Make it easy for journalists and media outlets to learn more about you .
Here are some of the main components to include :
• Your bio : A concise biography that outlines your musical career and notable achievements .
• Photos : High-quality photos of yourself or band that you can use for promotion .
• Music or video reels : Have a few short clips of your work ready to go . This can also include a link to your music video or live performance footage .
• Previous press reviews : If you ’ ve already been in the press , provide links to those articles . This increases your credibility .
• Social media accounts : Include links to your social media profiles so that media outlets can get a better idea of your reach and impact .
Having a professional EPK can make a huge difference in how media outlets perceive you . Don ’ t forget to keep these assets updated as your accomplishments grow .
Build a Media List With the ever-evolving media landscape , it ’ s essential to make sure your pitch is reaching the right people . Researching the various forms of media that feature artists like you is a great place to start .
Understanding the media landscape for your genre can help you narrow down your list of potential contacts . It ’ s important to keep your media database up to date . This means adding new contacts and removing outdated ones .
Finally , it ’ s essential to keep detailed notes about each contact . Keep track of the conversations you ’ ve had with them , the topics discussed , and any other relevant information . This will allow you to target the right contacts and improve your chances of success .
Perfect Your Pitch & Follow Up It is important to know how to pitch your project to stand out . Creating a captivating headline and a few key points about your artistry is a great start . Keep it short and to the point , with enough information to get a general idea of the story you are pitching . Make sure to also mention how the story can benefit their readers or viewers .
Remember that journalists and media outlets are busy and you may have to follow up with an email or phone call . Don ’ t be pushy and remember that this is a relationship you want to maintain in the future .
Finally , remember to be patient and persistent . Not everyone will respond to your pitch and it could take some time to hear back . But if you craft a compelling story and stand out amongst the hundreds of other pitches , you will get a response .
Master the Interview The first step in preparing for an interview is to do some research on the interviewer and the outlet . What kind of topics do they usually cover ? What type of questions do they ask ? This allows you to craft answers tailored to the interviewer and outlet .
It ’ s also important to craft your talking points . These include your key experiences and story that can help you make a connection . Think about experiences that are unique to you and that add value to the interview . Be prepared to answer questions about your music . Make sure you ’ re familiar with your songs , their meanings , and any other topics related to your music .
You should also practice speaking in sound bites . This means short , succinct answers that outlets may use in their coverage . This will help give you more control over what gets used and how it ’ s used .
It ’ s important to create a narrative during the interview . Think of each answer as a piece of the story that you ’ re trying to tell . With each question , you should be thinking about how your answer furthers the narrative of your music or career .
Leverage Media Coverage Promote your media placements on social media and add them to your EPK . This shows that you respect the media outlets investment in you as an artist . Positive media coverage helps increase your credibility and attracts new opportunities .
Build Your Team After implementing the three phases of my Fans , Media & Industry Attraction Method it is important to build a solid support system . Learn how to find the right coach , publicist , radio promoter , agent , or manager to take you to the next level .
To review part one , Authentic Personal Branding , and part two , Purpose-Driven Content , download the FREE Fans , Media , & Industry Attraction Playbook at
www . dianefoy . com / freebie .
Diane Foy is a personal branding and PR coach for artists and creatives . During her 18 years as an arts and entertainment publicist , Diane represented talents such as Perry Farrell , Big Sugar , D . O . A ., Sass Jordan , Dearly Beloved , and Mackenzie Phillips . She has been a panelist and mentor at major conferences and has been featured in over 30 media outlets . Diane also hosts the Multi-Passionate Artists podcast .
www . dianefoy . com . @ dianefoyarts
60 CANADIAN MUSICIAN