Heard
✉️ TemplatesFree · copy-paste · no signup

Cold pitch templates.

Eight starter templates for the cold-outreach part of being an indie musician. Curators, blogs, supervisors, PR firms, booking agents — plus follow-ups and thank-yous. Brackets are yours to fill in.

These aren't magic — they're a baseline so you spend energy on the parts that matter: the specific reference to their work, the one true thing about your song, the honest reason it's a fit. If you blast them as-is, you'll get blasted-as-is responses.

For: Spotify / Apple playlist curator

Cold pitch — playlist curator (short)

You want a curator to consider your track for one of their playlists. They get hundreds of these — brevity wins.

Subject: [TRACK TITLE] — [GENRE] for [PLAYLIST NAME]?

Hi [CURATOR FIRST NAME],

Big fan of [PLAYLIST NAME] — [ONE SPECIFIC SONG ON IT] has been on repeat.

I'm [ARTIST NAME], a [GENRE/CITY] artist. My new track [TRACK TITLE] dropped [DATE] — three-line description: [ONE LINE ABOUT THE VIBE], [ONE LINE ABOUT THE STORY/PRODUCTION], [ONE LINE ABOUT THE REFERENCE ARTISTS].

Spotify: [TRACK URL]

Would love your honest take, and if it fits [PLAYLIST NAME], even better.

Thanks for what you do for new music,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR PROFILE URL]

Tips

  • Name a real track on their playlist. Vague flattery reads as a mail merge.
  • Lead with the Spotify link — make listening one click.
  • Don't ask for a "follow back" or a "share". Ask for honest feedback.

For: Spotify / Apple playlist curator (via SubmitHub)

SubmitHub note

You're submitting via SubmitHub. The "note to curator" field is your only differentiator — 90% of submitters leave it blank.

Hey [CURATOR FIRST NAME] — I saw [PLAYLIST NAME] features a lot of [REFERENCE ARTIST OR SUB-GENRE]. My track sits in the same lane: [ONE-LINE DESCRIPTION].

If it doesn't fit, no worries at all — honest feedback always appreciated.

— [YOUR NAME]

Tips

  • Reference something specific you noticed about the playlist.
  • Keep it under 60 words — that field has a tiny preview.
  • Don't apologize, don't over-thank, don't pitch your whole catalog.

For: Music blog / press

Cold pitch — music blog

You want a blog to cover your release. Story angle matters as much as the song.

Subject: [ARTIST] — [TRACK/EP] (out [DATE]) for [BLOG NAME]?

Hi [EDITOR FIRST NAME],

Long-time reader — your [SPECIFIC POST OR RECENT REVIEW] piece this month resonated.

I'm [ARTIST NAME], releasing [TRACK / EP / ALBUM TITLE] on [DATE] via [LABEL / self-released]. The reason I think this might land for [BLOG NAME]: [ONE-SENTENCE STORY ANGLE — what makes this track or release interesting beyond the music itself: where it was recorded, who it was made with, the personal story, the genre crossover, etc.].

Quick facts:
· Sounds like: [3 REFERENCE ARTISTS, one less-obvious]
· Recorded with: [PRODUCER / STUDIO / NOTABLE COLLABORATORS]
· Notable so far: [PLAYLIST PLACEMENT / VENUE / WRITEUP — only if true]

Stream: [SPOTIFY OR YOUTUBE URL]
Press kit + photos: [PRESS KIT URL]

Happy to send a private stream if you'd prefer not to use the public link.

Thanks for considering,
[YOUR NAME]
[CITY] · [WEBSITE]

Tips

  • Don't write "I think your readers would love this." Show why, with a specific blog post you read.
  • A real story angle beats genre hype. "Recorded in a Detroit basement with my dad" > "atmospheric indie rock".
  • Send 3–4 weeks before release. Blogs plan ahead.

For: Music supervisor (film/TV/ad/game)

Cold pitch — sync placement

You want a music supervisor to consider your track for a placement. They listen in 15-second windows, and they only care about fit.

Subject: For sync consideration — [ARTIST] · [TRACK] · [GENRE/MOOD]

Hi [SUPERVISOR FIRST NAME],

[ONE SENTENCE TYING YOUR MUSIC TO THEIR WORK — e.g. "I noticed you placed [TRACK] in [SHOW], and my catalog sits in that space."]

· Artist: [ARTIST NAME]
· Track: [TRACK TITLE]
· Genre / mood: [GENRE + 2 MOOD WORDS — e.g. "indie folk · cinematic, hopeful"]
· Tempo / key: [BPM / KEY]
· Instrumentation: [VOCALS? INSTRUMENTAL VERSION AVAILABLE?]
· One-stop clearance: [YES / NO — explain who controls masters + publishing]
· Sync history: [PRIOR PLACEMENTS, IF ANY — or "no prior placements"]

Listen: [PRIVATE STREAM URL — Disco / Songtradr / Soundcloud private]
Stems available on request.

Thanks for considering,
[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] · [EMAIL]

Tips

  • Supervisors care most about: clearance status, instrumental availability, mood.
  • Use a private stream link (Disco / Songtradr / unlisted SoundCloud). Don't send mp3 attachments.
  • One track per email. Never a "here's my whole album" link.

For: PR firm

Reaching out to a PR firm (you're shopping)

You want a PR firm to consider taking you on as a client.

Subject: Interested in [PR FIRM NAME] for [RELEASE TITLE] — [RELEASE DATE]

Hi [CONTACT FIRST NAME],

I'm looking for a publicist for my upcoming [SINGLE / EP / ALBUM] [TITLE], releasing [DATE]. I came across [PR FIRM NAME] through [HOW YOU FOUND THEM — specific client of theirs you liked, podcast/interview, etc.].

A few quick details:
· Artist: [ARTIST NAME]
· Genre / sounds-like: [GENRE + 2 REFERENCE ARTISTS]
· Stage: [DEBUT? 2ND RELEASE? RETURNING AFTER GAP?]
· Goals for this campaign: [BLOG REVIEWS / SYNC INTEREST / PLAYLISTS / RADIO]
· Budget range: [USD RANGE — be honest; helps both sides]
· Current numbers: [SPOTIFY MONTHLY LISTENERS / INSTAGRAM / BANDCAMP — if any]

If this looks like a fit, I'd love to learn more about your packages and timing for the [MONTH] window. Happy to send a private stream.

Thanks for your time,
[YOUR NAME]
[CITY] · [SPOTIFY URL]

Tips

  • State your budget range up front. It saves everyone time.
  • Mention a specific client of theirs you respect — proves you researched.
  • PR works on lead time. Reach out 8–12 weeks before release.

For: Booking agent

Cold pitch — booking agent

You're looking for agency representation. Agents look for momentum, not just music.

Subject: [ARTIST NAME] · [CITY] · seeking [REGIONAL / TOURING] representation

Hi [AGENT FIRST NAME],

I'm [ARTIST NAME] out of [CITY] — [GENRE] act with [X] years live experience. I noticed you rep [SIMILAR ARTIST ON THEIR ROSTER] and the way you've built that tour route is exactly the trajectory I'd love to be on.

Where I am right now:
· Monthly listeners: [X]
· Last 12 months: [N] shows across [N] cities — [AVG DRAW NUMBER]
· Recent highlights: [SUPPORT SLOT / FESTIVAL / SOLD-OUT ROOM — be specific]
· Upcoming: [SHOWS ON THE BOOKS]

Music: [SPOTIFY ARTIST URL]
Live: [YOUTUBE OR VIDEO OF RECENT LIVE SHOW]
EPK: [LINK]

I'd love to talk about whether there's a fit — even an honest "not yet, here's what I'd want to see" would be useful.

Thanks,
[YOUR NAME]
[MANAGER NAME + EMAIL, IF ANY]

Tips

  • Lead with the live data — average draw, number of shows, support slots.
  • Agents pass on artists who don't already play out. Don't pitch until you have a recent show history.
  • Mentioning a roster artist is fine if you actually share a lane. Don't namedrop their flagship act.

For: Any cold pitch

Follow-up — no response after 7+ days

It's been a week, you haven't heard back. Don't apologize, don't guilt-trip, just gently bump.

Subject: Re: [ORIGINAL SUBJECT LINE]

Hi [FIRST NAME] —

Just floating this back to the top of your inbox in case my note from [DATE] got buried. No pressure either way; if it's not a fit, a one-line "pass" is a real gift and totally fine.

Original note + link below.

Thanks,
[YOUR NAME]

---
[PASTE THE ORIGINAL EMAIL BODY HERE]

Tips

  • One follow-up max. Two is annoying, three is a block.
  • Make passing easy. "A one-line pass is fine" gets more honest replies than "let me know when you have a chance."
  • Re-paste the original — they shouldn't have to search their inbox.

For: Any contact who featured you

Thank-you — after a feature / add / placement

They added you to a playlist, ran a review, gave you a placement. Build the relationship.

Subject: Thank you for [PLAYLIST ADD / REVIEW / PLACEMENT]

Hi [FIRST NAME],

Wanted to thank you for [SPECIFIC THING THEY DID]. [ONE LINE ABOUT THE IMPACT — "got us our first 5K streams" / "two booking inquiries from venues that read your review" / "first sync placement, ever, period"].

Genuinely grateful — these moments are why we keep doing this.

If there's ever anything I can do to support your work — share a post, send early access to my next release, anything — say the word.

[YOUR NAME]

Tips

  • Be specific about the impact. Real numbers > "it really helped."
  • Don't pitch them again in the thank-you. That's for a different email, weeks later.
  • Offer reciprocity. Most never get thank-you notes — they remember the ones who say it.