Music Blog Feature Costs: Pricing for Press Coverage

Music blog feature costs range from free submissions to paid placements costing hundreds of dollars. Understanding the landscape helps musicians budget for press coverage and distinguish between legitimate editorial coverage and paid promotional content.

What Music Blog Coverage Costs

Coverage types and typical pricing:

Free editorial consideration: Most music blogs accept free submissions and make editorial decisions independently. Coverage depends on music quality and fit with blog focus.

Paid submission platforms:

• SubmitHub: $1-4 per blog submission
• Groover: $2-3 per submission
• Musosoup: Similar pricing models Payment is for consideration, not guaranteed coverage.

Sponsored posts:

• Small blogs (under 10,000 monthly visitors): $50-150
• Medium blogs (10,000-50,000 visitors): $150-500
• Large blogs (50,000-200,000 visitors): $500-2,000
• Major publications: $2,000-10,000+

PR agency campaigns:

• Independent PR: $500-2,000/month
• Established PR firms: $2,000-10,000/month
• Major label PR: $10,000-50,000+/month

How Different Approaches Work

Direct submission (free): Email blogs directly with music, press release, and assets. Success depends on music quality, blog fit, and timing. Acceptance rates typically under 5% for cold submissions.

Paid submission platforms: Streamlined submission process with feedback. Better acceptance rates (10-30%) but still not guaranteed. Curators can decline with explanation.

Sponsored content: Guaranteed placement in exchange for payment. Usually labeled as sponsored or promotional content. Less editorial credibility but assured visibility.

PR representation: Professionals with relationships pitch on artist’s behalf. Monthly retainer covers outreach across multiple outlets. Results vary based on PR firm quality and artist fit.

Key Considerations

• Free editorial coverage has most credibility
• Paid placements should be disclosed
• Blog traffic and audience matter more than name recognition
• Genre-specific blogs often provide more value
• Coverage alone rarely drives significant streams
• Combine blog coverage with other promotion

Common Questions

What is the best approach for limited budgets?

Limited budget priorities:

First: Free direct submissions to genre-appropriate blogs. Compile list of 20-50 blogs covering similar artists. Send personalized pitches. Cost: Time only.

Second: Paid submission platforms for broader reach. $50-100 budget for 25-50 curator submissions through SubmitHub or Groover. Expect 5-15 placements.

Third: One strategic sponsored post on relevant mid-tier blog. $100-300 for guaranteed coverage reaching target audience.

This progression invests $150-400 total for mix of earned and paid coverage.

How much traffic do blog features generate?

Traffic from blog features varies dramatically:

Small blog feature (1,000-5,000 monthly visitors):

• 50-200 article views
• 10-50 click-throughs to music
• 5-25 streams

Medium blog feature (10,000-50,000 monthly visitors):

• 200-1,000 article views
• 50-250 click-throughs
• 25-100 streams

Large blog feature (50,000-200,000 monthly visitors):

• 1,000-5,000 article views
• 250-1,000 click-throughs
• 100-500 streams

These figures represent typical outcomes, not guaranteed results. Viral features occasionally produce 10-100x these numbers.

Are blog features worth the cost?

Direct ROI from blog features is often poor when measured by streams alone. A $200 sponsored post generating 100 streams produces $2 cost per stream.

However, blog coverage provides additional value:

Credibility building: Press quotes enhance artist profiles and future pitches.

SEO benefits: Articles create searchable content mentioning artist name.

Industry signaling: Coverage demonstrates traction to labels, bookers, and playlist curators.

Social proof: Features provide content for social media promotion.

Long-term discovery: Articles remain searchable and continue generating traffic over time.

Display advertising on music blogs through networks like LG Media complements editorial coverage. At $2.50 CPM, display ads reach blog readers directly while editorial features provide credibility.

Summary

Music blog feature costs range from free direct submissions to $500+ sponsored placements. Paid submission platforms charge $1-4 per curator submission with 10-30% acceptance rates. PR representation costs $500-10,000+ monthly. Blog features provide credibility and SEO value beyond immediate stream generation. Combine free outreach, paid submissions, and strategic sponsorships based on budget.