If you’re looking to get noticed in the music business, having a blogger on your side can be a big help. Influential music bloggers often have many followers, both on their blog and across social media. Having even one major blogger review your work can often lead to an explosion of exposure, especially if the review is well-shared.

Of course, if you want to promote your music with the help of bloggers, there are some guidelines to follow. Any promotion that relies on other people needs to be conducted carefully to pay off.

How To Promote Your Music On The Blogosphere

1 – Do Your Research

The biggest mistake an indie band can make when reaching out to bloggers is spamming them indiscriminately. Popular bloggers are going to be inundated with requests that they do this or that, so they’re going to be very choosy about what projects they take on.

Spend some time simply reading music blogs, and lurking on their message forums. Look for ones where the blogger and the audience are honestly a good fit for your music. You’ll get the best response, and have the lowest likelihood of making bloggers angry, when you’re highly selective about outreach.

2 – Build Bridges

Ultimately, you’re going to have better luck getting a response out of bloggers you have some existing contact with. If you’re a

long-term sort of planner, try spending a few months simply hanging out and discussing music on various blogs.

Then, when you decide it’s time to ask for a review, you’ve already laid the groundwork. There will be a lot higher chance of the blogger accepting your offer.

3 – Play It Straight

Your average blogger, especially the popular ones, are as protective of their personal integrity as the New York Times theater critic. The proper setup to a review request is just that, and nothing more: “Hey, would you review my band?”

Offers of money, favors, or other payola will only make you enemies. If a blogger decides to promote your music, it’s because he likes your music, and not because of bribes.