How do I identify the right targets and craft outreach that gets accepted (fit, curators/blogs, subject lines, relationships)?

Case Study – “Velvet Signal”
  • Discovery: Chartmetric export → 280 dream-pop playlists ≥ 2k followers → raw target list
  • Scoring: reach + save-rate + genre-fit rubric → 38 A-tier → shortlist
  • Pitch: 38 emails (≤ 150 words) → 14 replies → 7 adds
  • Follow-up: monthly Dropbox “first-listen” link → 4 curators added two more tracks next release
  • 60-day impact: +62k streams, +3,800 followers, $0 spend → ROI from relationships

Map the landscape before you write
  Playlists – Chartmetric, Soundcharts, SubmitHub accepted-list → direct stream spikes and algorithmic lift
  Blogs and web-zines – Google News, MuckRack, Hype Machine archive → press quotes for EPK and SEO
  Influencers – TikTok Creator Marketplace, Heepsy → viral loops and UGC
  Communities – Discord, Reddit, Facebook Groups → super-fan evangelists

Score and prioritise – the ICE-style rubric
  • I – Impact / Fit (weight ×3): % overlap with your top artists and tags
  • C – Confidence / Engagement (weight ×2): save-rate, comment-rate, view-through
  • E – Effort / Reach (weight ×1): followers or monthly visits
  • Cost (subtract 1): submission fee or sponsorship rate
  Sort into A-list (top 20–40), B-list, Watchlist.

Craft subject lines and hooks
Principles:
  • Lead with the hook: “Dream-pop single scored on GameBoy synth – Premiere?”
  • Add a context tag: (Interview? Review? Playlist?)
  • Keep it ≤ 50 characters so mobile shows the whole line
  • Avoid hype caps and emojis

Email skeleton (≤ 150 words)
  Hi Alex,
  Loved your piece on nostalgic synth textures in “Late-Night Lofi.”
  I’m Hana from Velvet Signal (Tel-Aviv dream-pop). Our new track “Echo Parade” was built entirely on a 1989 GameBoy — smokey pad, 98 BPM. Private link + hi-res art below.
  Could it fit your next “Retro-Future” column or ChillWave playlist?
  Happy to cross-promote your write-up to our 18k IG followers.
  – Hana
  one-click smart-folder link
  Rules: show you read their work; make one clear ask; use a private stream with no login; offer a win (tag, repost, early drop).

Perfect the delivery package
  • Private WAV or 320 kbps stream (SoundCloud unlisted or DISCO link)
  • Hi-res artwork (3000 × 3000 JPG or PNG)
  • One-page EPK (PDF or Google Doc: bio, photo, prior press quotes)
  • Metadata (BPM, key, ISRC, release date)
  • One snappy quote from artist or collaborator

Log, track, nurture
  Minimal CRM fields: Curator/Outlet, Tier/Score, Pitch date, Outcome (Added/Declined/TBD), Next touch, Notes.
  Tools: Google Sheets, Airtable, Notion.
  After the add: share their playlist/blog in Stories and tag them; send an exclusive early link 7–10 days before the next drop; light personal check-in every quarter.

Metrics and targets
  • A-list reply rate ≥ 35%
  • Add rate from replies ≥ 40%
  • Save-to-stream on adds ≥ 10%
  • Curator churn per quarter ≤ 15%
  • New A-tier contacts per quarter: +5

Common mistakes
  • Mass templates with no proof-you-listened → spam folder
  • Attachments that force sign-in → friction kills
  • Generic “new single out now” with no angle
  • Arguing after a decline — ask for feedback, then move on
  • Only contacting when you need something; relationships need value between releases

Key takeaways
  Fit beats follower count — score curators on genre, engagement, reach, and cost.
  Evidence plus a personal touch wins opens — reference their work and offer mutual value.
  A subject line under 50 characters with a story hook ignites curiosity.
  Track every interaction — CRM habits turn one-off adds into long-term allies.
  Nurture with exclusives and promotion so curators look forward to your next pitch.