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.