Writing a Music Press Release: A Fill-In Template

A press release will not get you coverage on its own, but a clear one makes it far easier for a writer to say yes. Copy this template, fill in the brackets, and cut anything you cannot back up with facts.

The template

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (or "Embargoed until [date, time, time zone]")

Headline: [Artist] Releases [Title], [a short, specific hook]

Subheading: One sentence with the genre, the format (single, EP, album) and the release date.

Opening paragraph: Who, what, when and where to listen, in two or three sentences.

Story paragraph: What the song is about, how it was made, and who worked on it. One quote from the artist goes here, in their own voice.

Context paragraph: Real, checkable background: previous releases, shows, collaborations, coverage. Leave it out if you have none yet.

What's next: Tour dates, the next release, or a livestream.

Links: Streaming link, private listening link for press, press photos, artwork, video.

Contact: Name, email and phone of the person who handles press.

### (marks the end of the release)

Tips

• Keep it to one page.
• Put the most important information first; many readers stop after the opening paragraph.
• Use press photos that are free for editorial use and credit the photographer.
• Send it with a short personal note, not as a bare attachment.

For a fuller walkthrough with examples, see MusicPromoToday's playbook on how to write a music press release.