How to write a music press release: what goes in it, with a sample for a single
A music press release is one page: artist, title and release date at the top, a one-sentence lead, the story behind the song, a quote and a named contact. Below: what goes in it, a sample for a single, and when to send it.
Want this done for you? See our YouTube music video promotion service. Related reading: Music press coverage · EPK for musicians · Choosing a music marketing agency. Or browse all music guides.
Key takeaways
- A music press release fits on one side of a page: the artist, title and release date at the top, then the story behind the music, a quote and a contact. The Musicians' Union calls the backstory the heart of it.
- Write the lead last. Purdue's Online Writing Lab says leads are generally 25 to 30 words and rarely more than 40.
- Send a short email with one public link and the release as a PDF. In Muck Rack's 2026 survey, 69% of journalists prefer pitches under 200 words.
- A release asks for coverage; it does not publish anything. Our free template has twelve parts and a filled-in example.
The short answer
A music press release is a one-page announcement of news about a single, EP, album, video or tour. The Musicians' Union says it should be no longer than one side, with the artist, title, release date and contact details at the top and a strong backstory at its heart.
Our free music press release template lays out twelve parts with a filled-in example. A release only asks a writer to cover you. If you want a story published on release day, our music marketing includes a labelled editorial feature.
What goes in a music press release
The MU's checklist, written with working publicists, and our template agree on the essentials. In order:
- Top of the page: artist, title, release date, contact details and one link.
- Headline: the artist, an action and the news, in 8 to 12 words.
- Lead: who, what, when, where and why. Purdue's guide says leads are generally 25 to 30 words and rarely over 40.
- The story: why you wrote it and what inspired it. Say early what genre it is and name one or two artists you may be compared to (MU).
- Quote: one or two lines from you, in quotation marks, with the rest in the third person.
- Details: track listing, writers, previous releases and shows, briefly.
- Bio and contact: a short paragraph about you, and one person who answers.
Keep it factual. Purdue reminds writers that press releases are not advertisements, and suggests asking whether the information has real value for the reader.
Example: an indie pop single
This sample is for a fictional artist, with brackets for the details you would fill in. It shows the structure, not real news.
Weak lead: "[Artist] is thrilled to announce an exciting new single that fans are going to love."
Headline: [Artist] releases indie pop single "[Song]" on Nov. 14
Stronger lead: "[CITY], Oct. 12: Indie pop artist [Artist] releases "[Song]", a single about leaving a hometown, on Nov. 14, with a launch show at [Venue] on Nov. 20."
Quote: "I wrote [Song] on the train the week I moved out," said [Artist]. "I wanted it to sound like the first night in a new city."
Boilerplate: "[Artist] is an indie pop singer-songwriter from [City]. Their debut EP, [Title], came out in [year]. Press contact: [Name], [email]."
The weak lead has no date, title or reason to care. The stronger one gives the who, what, when and where in 24 words, and the quote adds what the facts cannot.
How and when to send it
The MU says to send the release as a PDF, which is less prone to formatting problems, and to share everything through one public link that needs no sign-in. It also gives lead times: at least four to six weeks before release for digital publications, about six weeks for newspapers and three to four months for monthly print magazines.
Write two or three lines to each writer, then paste or attach the release. Muck Rack's 2026 survey of 897 journalists found 62% prefer one-to-one email and 69% prefer pitches under 200 words. 88% immediately disregard pitches that miss their coverage, so send to a short list of the right writers.
How the options compare
How the options compare:
| Write it yourself | Music publicist | Blue Leopard Media | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free template, your time | One UK publicist quoted by the MU starts at £1,000 | A YouTube campaign plus one feature from $249; a feature alone from $249 |
| Who writes it | You | They do, with your input | Our editorial team writes the feature; you approve every word |
| What is guaranteed | Nothing: a release asks for coverage | Their work, not coverage | A feature live within 24 hours of your approval, and a minimum number of Google Ads views |
| What you get | A one-page announcement to send to writers | Pitching from their contacts | A sponsored, labelled feature with your digital cover, plus a YouTube campaign |
| Best for | Real news and a few well-chosen writers | Earned coverage by independent writers | A published story on release day |
Our feature is sponsored, marked as such as the FTC's native advertising guide expects of paid content, and is not earned coverage. We do not pitch outside journalists. Tell us your release date and we will plan the feature around it.
Sources
- Musicians' Union: How to boost your chances of getting your music reviewed (11 June 2025)
- Musicians' Union: When to hire a music PR company (updated 1 February 2024)
- Purdue OWL: Writing press releases
- Purdue OWL: Writing leads
- Muck Rack: The State of Journalism 2026 (897 journalists, surveyed 30 Jan to 2 Mar 2026)
- FTC: Native advertising, a guide for businesses
- Blue Leopard Media: Free music press release template
Frequently asked.
What does a music press release look like?
One page: artist, title, release date and contact details at the top, a headline, a one-sentence lead, the story behind the music, a quote, release details, a short bio and a named contact.
How long should a music press release be?
No longer than one side, according to the Musicians' Union. Purdue's Online Writing Lab suggests getting your point across in under a page.
When should I send a press release for a single?
The MU says at least four to six weeks before release for digital publications, and about six weeks for newspapers. Monthly print magazines need three to four months.
Should I send the release as a PDF or in the email?
The MU recommends a PDF for the release and one public link for everything else. Our template suggests pasting it below a short note to each writer.
Do I need a music publicist to send a press release?
No. Most releases are short and factual, and you can send your own. A publicist adds contacts and time, but nobody can promise a writer will cover you.
Keep reading.
How to get press coverage for your music: who to pitch, what to send and when
Music PR starts with a short list of writers who cover artists like you, a one-link press kit and a pitch sent 4 to 6 weeks before release.
Read the guide MusicEPK for musicians: what goes in an electronic press kit, and who reads it
What to put in a musician's EPK: bio lengths, photos, tracks, video and contacts, what each reader looks for first, and how to fill an empty press section.
Read the guide MusicHow to choose a music marketing agency: the four types, how they charge, and what to check before you pay
How to choose a music marketing agency: the four types, how each charges, what a real report shows, the red flags, and when a label should keep it in-house.
Read the guideAnnounce it, then publish it.
A YouTube campaign with guaranteed Google Ads views plus an editorial feature with your own digital cover, from $249 per release. The feature is sponsored and labelled.