Want a publicist? Tips on how to approach us
You!
Yes, you, reading this. You’re a band, in need of publicity and PR representation. You find us online (by searching for “sexiest and funniest PR agency around”, obviously), and are drafting an email to our general email address – which is info@holdtight.co, in case you need it.
However, you pause, finding yourself thinking (well, how do I write this email? How do I pitch myself to an agency which pitches all the time?).
Here’s the lowdown.
The best emails we receive are often the most simple. Clear, concise, to the point, but tantalising enough for us to reach out to you, asking for more.
The basics:
1. It may sound staggeringly obvious to say, but it is essential you tell us the name of your project. PLEASE. If we don’t even have this, we can go no further, and we can’t waste time responding to ask this basic fact.
2. By the same token – a link to some music. Typically it’s possible to hear finished versions of songs even though we’re at the pre-release stage, so those are ideal, and preferable to demos.
3. Give us some sort of indication of what you’d be looking from us, and what you might like to achieve in working together.
4. A quick overview of your key prior achievements, including touring and show history, any significant press and accolades.
5. A quick overview of your upcoming plans, including touring and festivals.
6. An insightful subject line: with suggestion of genre, interesting previous achievements, or unique fact about you. It is essential for us to build you on unique stories and selling points – if you can catch our eyes quickly in the subject, chances are we can do the same and more to the contacts we pitch to.
If you cover all of that, and write in a semi-legible manner, then you’ve already covered all that we need to know.
Here’s a hypothetical example of a perfect pitch email to us:
Re: Album campaign enquiry (doom-punk, multiple festival appearances 2023)
Hi Hold Tight!
Hope you’re well.
My name is Matt, I play in ___, a London-based doom-punk trio. We last year toured with x and y and z, and performed at abc festival.
This year we’re releasing our debut album and playing multiple festivals.
You can hear our album here: [link]
We’ve previously been compared to [insert other bands here] but like to think we’re relatively fresh. One track has a guest feature from [insert cool unique info here].
Last year we did a charity campaign, raising [insert cool info].
We’d love to talk to you about PR and radio representation as we can see ourselves in the likes of Metal Hammer, Kerrang! and 6music.
My email is:
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Matt
Obviously, that’s just me writing off the top of my head. Do you think you can write me a better email? Want to pitch us your band? Hit us up! info@holdtight.co.
