As the publicist and media relations person for Bullz-Eye.com, one of the largest online magazines out there, I have the unenviable task of keeping track of all the music that comes through and working with our music editor to assign as much of it as we can for review.  And as a publicist who also represents bands and musicians, I have learned a lot about how important details are, something that has made me understand a lot better about what it’s like to be both a pitcher and the one being pitched. 

Because we receive roughly 50 new releases each week, the music comes in much faster than it can be assigned.  So we have two giant mail bins going at any given time, and when I have to fish through the bins to find something that my editor has assigned to one our writers, there are a few things that are incredibly frustrating.  And if they’re frustrating to me, they are no doubt frustrating to other editors and writers and publicists like me who represent magazines. 

So take this advice with a grain of salt, but the main thing is to realize that if you have a new recording you’re pitching, whether you’re a publicist or a band doing the job of a publicist, you have such a limited window to stand out, it’s important to make the job of  the person on the other end easier.  With that, here are a few of my tips….

1. Spend the extra money on a jewel case.  I know those digi-packs and sleeves are cheaper, but imagine what happens when you have 200 CDs in a mail bin, and your nice little CD in a plastic sleeve is wedged between two traditional jewel cases.  In my case, I have to look for it if it’s been assigned, but by the time I find it, I’m pissed off because I just spend 20 minutes looking for it.  

2. Make sure the artist name and album name are legible.  No really, is it necessary to put the band name in tiny letters and the album name in big, bold letters?  Which is which?  And if your background color is dark, make sure the type is white or yellow, not a slightly lighter shade as the background.  

3.  For the love of G--d, keep your album titles short.  For that matter, keep your band names short.  I realize there is freedom of speech and I am not against creativity, but by the time I log in Every time I See Your Face, I Get the Heebie Jeebies, But Only On Saturday by a band called Once Upon a Time We Had a Band and then the Band Broke Up and then We Reformed, I’m annoyed to the point that I hope whoever is reviewing it gives it a horrible review.  I’m exaggerating of course, but not by much.  

4.  Make sure your press release or bio has the band name, the album name, and the release date clearly visible with a press contact.  RIYL (recommended if you like) is always a bonus too, as are websites.  And there is no reason to have a bio longer than one page.  I keep press materials in a folder and have to thumb through them to match CD to press release, so having the band name and album name in big, bold type is always nice.  And I know I speak for many editors and journalists when I say to avoid big, bulky press kits.  Just a bio,  press release, or tidy one-sheet suffices.

Okay, that’s my rant, but I hope it’s a productive rant for you indie artists and maybe even some of you publicists, who may or may not be afraid of offending your clients.  I’m just trying to make the world a happier place, that’s all.  Thanks for listening!