Blogs are a great way for you to get your name out, many careers in hip hop over the past few years have been built via hip hop blogs. With today’s influx of aspiring rappers getting blog posts has become more difficult than ever. Many blog administrators are receiving hundreds of submissions daily. It is still possible but you have to differentiate yourself from the thousands of other people that call themselves rappers. It all starts with a good pitch, when you approach blogs you’re a stranger asking them for a service in exchange for your support and additional viewers (your fans). The key to your initial pitch is that it should be professional and personable. It is key that you convey to the website that you are a supporter. Do this by referencing some of their past posts, mention a song that you heard on that website, some thing you like about the site. It really doesn’t matter specifically what you reference as long as you convey the point that you follow the blog. Also leave comments on the blogs that you are seeking features in, make sure these comments are genuine thoughts about their various post and not shameless plugs for yourself. Many bloggers will ban you from a site for trying to promote in the comments section so leave genuine comments about the issue at hand. Also if a blog has a twitter, follow them. If they have a Facebook Fan Page like it. These are all things that just show that you are a supporter of the website and they do help. Here’s an example of a sample pitch putting all of those things together.
To: JohnDoe@RapBlog.com
Subject: Keep Up The Good Work!!
Message
JohnDoe,
I came across your site when I was reading up on Dustin Prestige, I’m a fan of his work and your site was one of the only one’s that had his early work Polo’s and AK’s. I can appreciate how you all ride with artist and really build from the ground up with them, that’s real. I’m an artist myself, I’ve got a growing buzz it’s more been based on live shows than internet exposure. When you get a minute check my stuff out and if you like it I’d appreciate if you could support it with a post in your blog.
Peace,
Hungry Rapper
Once you send your initial email remember the fortune is in the follow up. Now to improve your chances of getting post start with blogs that are most accessible to you. Nowadays you probably know someone who has a hip hop blog. The size of their following isn’t important, you just want to get some press links out the gate. If you are from Atlanta Google “Atlanta Hip Hop Blogs” try to find blogs specific to your geography or sound. These will be the ones to most likely support you out the gate. Stay tuned for more steps in part 2.
Robert J. Mayberry is the author of How To Get Your Music Posted In Hip Hop Blogs As an artists he has been featured in over 150 blogs and music web sites including The Source, Vibe, The Examiner and Kevin Nottingham.