when should you hire a music publicist?
2 to 3 months before the release date, with the record finished. the first weeks go to the media list and the press release, and the outlets that publish a lead time ask for music two weeks to three months ahead.
by Studio Raine, a music PR firm in New York. we sell some of what this guide describes, and our own prices are marked as ours.
updated
what the outlets say themselves.
| outlet | covers | how far ahead |
|---|---|---|
| Americana UK | americana | albums are assigned 5 to 6 weeks before the release date. earlier is better. |
| SoulTracks | r&b and soul | two weeks before you want the story to run. |
| Saving Country Music | americana | six weeks to three months before the release date, or after it. |
| Bandcamp Daily | general | eight weeks before the release date is ideal. |
| Atwood Magazine | general | at least three weeks for a premiere. |
streaming has its own clock. Spotify asks you to pitch an unreleased song through Spotify for Artists at least 7 days before release (Spotify), and says the pitch is free (Spotify).
how the weeks get used.
- weeks 1 and 2: the media list is built for this record.
- weeks 2 and 3: the press release is written and approved.
- weeks 3 and 4: the record goes out to press.
- week 3 onward: pitching for features, interviews, reviews and premieres.
- week 10: release day. reviews and features run around it.
- weeks 10 to 12: tour press, market by market, and the clippings file.
what has to be ready on day one.
- the finished, mastered record.
- the release date, fixed.
- artwork and press photos at full resolution.
- a bio. if it is not written, say so, and it gets written first.
- tour dates, if there are any.
when it is too early.
before the record is finished and the date is set. a publicist needs something to send. until then the work is yours: the bio, the photos, the EPK.
when one announcement is enough.
a single does not need three months. it needs the news written once and sent to the right outlets: a press release, $500 with us or free with the template.