Promo types on Musosoup

Musosoup supports a wide range of promo types that allow you to offer different kinds of coverage, promotion, and support to artists. Each promo type represents a specific, deliverable activity - from written reviews and social posts to playlist placements and advertising campaigns.

Understanding the available promo types helps you create clear, effective promotions that match your strengths and serve the artists you work with.

This guide provides an overview of all promo types available on Musosoup, organised by category.

Reviews are written pieces of editorial coverage that assess and discuss an artist's release. They can range from short snippets to in-depth analysis.

Review 50–100 words A short and concise review, usually a few sentences long, that catches the reader's attention in 50 to 100 words. This format works well for quick takes on new releases.

Review 100+ words A short and original review of the release that gets to the point and is between 150 to 200 words long. This is a common length for focused single reviews.

Review 200+ words An original review that is between 200 and 299 words. This is often considered the standard length for a single review and provides enough space for meaningful editorial insight.

Review 300+ words An original review that is between 300 to 399 words, usually providing more in-depth details about the release. This length allows for deeper analysis and context.

Review 400+ words An original and comprehensive review that is between 400 to 499 words. This length is great for album releases and more substantial reviews.

Review 500+ words An original and comprehensive review that is 500 words or more. This format supports long-form editorial coverage with detailed analysis and context.

Track by track review – EP A review of each track on an EP, with a minimum of 50 words per track. This format allows you to discuss each song individually while providing a complete picture of the release.

Track by track review – album A review of each track on an album, with a minimum of 50 words per track. This comprehensive format is ideal for albums where each track deserves individual attention.

Roundup review An article with short reviews of up to five artists and their featured music. This format allows you to cover multiple releases in a single piece while keeping each review focused and concise.

Important notes for all review types:

Interviews and features allow you to explore an artist's background, creative process, and story in more depth.

Interview Q&A An article where the artist responds to a list of questions you ask them. This usually includes an introduction and a short review of their music. Give the artist ample time to answer your questions. You can switch to another coverage type if interview answers are not responded to within 2 weeks after the release date.

Interview feature An article that is a mixture of interview responses and a review of the artist's music. This format blends editorial commentary with direct quotes from the artist, creating a more narrative-driven piece.

Artist spotlight An in-depth article about the artist exploring their music, inspiration, and background. This should be 500 or more words and will mention the latest release, but is an enduring article that can be used as ongoing PR beyond the current campaign.

Important notes for interviews and features:

News posts provide information about artists and releases without offering critique or review. They're designed to announce and showcase new music.

News post An article providing information about the artist and their featured music. This is not a review; it is an announcement showcasing the artist's work. Do not copy and paste from the artist's press release (paraphrasing and quoting is acceptable).

Roundup news post An article providing information about multiple artists and their featured music. This is not a review; it is an announcement that highlights each artist's work.

Playlist update An article announcing artists who have been added to one of your playlists. This format combines news-style coverage with playlist placement, introducing readers to new additions.

Premiere A review, with a minimum of 200 words, which you can exclusively publish on an agreed date before the release. This is a great way to build buzz around a single or album prior to it being released. You must deliver work on the agreed date of the premiere.

Social media promos feature the artist's music across various social platforms, creating visibility and engagement with your audience.

X (Twitter) post The artist's music will be featured on an X (Twitter) post. Ensure the artist's Twitter handle is accurately tagged if available and include a link to the artist's release.

Facebook post The artist's music will be featured on a Facebook post. The post must be 100% original content. Include relevant links to the artist and their music and respect copyright by crediting photos where applicable.

Instagram post The artist's music will be featured on an Instagram post. The post must be 100% original content. Include relevant links to the artist and their music and respect copyright by crediting photos where applicable.

Facebook story The artist's music will be featured in a Facebook Story in a format you have agreed with the artist. The story will last for 24 hours on Facebook. If the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time. Ensure you deliver your completion link on the day agreed as this content type only lasts for 24 hours.

Instagram story The artist's music will be featured in an Instagram Story in a format you have agreed with the artist. The story will last for 24 hours on Instagram. If the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time. Deliver your completion link on the day agreed.

Short-form video promos leverage platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts to promote artists in engaging, visual formats.

Instagram reel – featured The artist's music will be promoted on an Instagram reel. You can talk about the music or include an action, such as a dance or reaction. If the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time.

Instagram reel – background music The artist's music will be played as background music on an Instagram Reel. It will not be the main feature of the reel. If the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time.

TikTok video – featured The artist's music will be promoted on a TikTok video. You can talk about the music or include an action, such as a dance or reaction. If the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time.

TikTok video – background music The artist's music will be played as background music on a TikTok video. It will not be the main feature of the video. If the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time. Ensure the background track is audible so the music can clearly be heard.

Facebook reel – background music The artist's music will be played as background music on a Facebook Reel. It will not be the main feature of the reel. If the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time.

YouTube Shorts The artist's music will be promoted in a YouTube Short. You can talk about the music or include an action, such as a dance or reaction. If the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time. Ensure the background track is audible and that all copyright permissions have been granted before publishing on YouTube.

YouTube promos provide longer-form video content and playlist placements on one of the most widely used music discovery platforms.

YouTube video The artist's music will be featured on a YouTube video on your channel. If the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time. Ensure that all copyright permissions have been granted before publishing on YouTube.

YouTube lyric video The artist's music is promoted on your YouTube channel in a video that has the lyrics shown in time with the music. If the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time. Ensure the background track is audible and that all copyright permissions have been granted.

YouTube playlist placement The artist's music is added to one of your YouTube playlists. Ensure playlists have under 100 tracks and are up to date.

Playlist placements add the artist's music to curated playlists on streaming platforms. These promos must always be offered for free to comply with platform terms and conditions.

Spotify playlist placement A free promotion where the release is added to one of your Spotify Playlists. Ensure playlists have under 150 tracks, are up to date, and, wherever possible, are genre-based. Make sure the playlist is accessible from your website.

SoundCloud playlist placement The artist's music is added to one of your SoundCloud playlists. Ensure playlists have under 150 tracks, are up to date, and, wherever possible, are genre-based. Make sure the playlist is accessible from your website.

SoundCloud repost You will repost the artist's music on your SoundCloud, sharing it with your followers. Ensure the track being reposted is publicly available on SoundCloud and not set to private.

Radio and podcast promos feature the artist's music in audio broadcasting formats, either live, pre-recorded, or on continuous streams.

Radio – show The artist's music is to be played on a live or pre-recorded show that is hosted. Ensure all music rights are cleared for broadcast and provide the artist with information about scheduled air times for their feature.

Radio – 24/7 stream The artist's music is played on a continuous radio show. These are usually online or digital shows and the release can be featured at random. Ensure all music rights are cleared for broadcast and provide the artist with information about scheduled air times.

Podcast The artist's music is featured in a podcast, often as part of a music review or listening party segment, and is frequently accompanied by an interview. Ensure all music rights are cleared for use in your podcast, and agree with the artist on how their track will be used (e.g., featured or background music) as well as the scheduled release date of the episode.

Advertising promos involve running paid campaigns on various platforms to promote the artist's music to targeted audiences. These promos require transparency about budgeting, targeting, and campaign performance.

Curator site – banner ad You show a banner ad on your own website promoting the artist and their music to a targeted audience. Provide the artist with clear and transparent ad location, ad formats, impression, and ad-serving information.

Facebook ads – promotional You run an ad campaign on Facebook promoting the artist and their music to a targeted audience. If you are using music in your ads and the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time. Ensure all copyright permissions have been provided and the music complies with Facebook's advertising policies. Provide the artist with clear and transparent budgeting, targeting, and campaign information as required.

Facebook ads – content boost You run an ad campaign on Facebook boosting content promoting the artist and their music to a targeted audience. Ensure all copyright permissions have been provided and provide the artist with clear and transparent budgeting, targeting, and campaign information as required.

Instagram ads – promotional You run an ad campaign on Instagram promoting the artist and their music to a targeted audience. If you are using music in your ads and the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time. Ensure all copyright permissions have been provided and the music complies with Instagram's advertising policies. Provide the artist with clear and transparent budgeting, targeting, and campaign information as required.

Instagram ads – content boost You run an ad campaign on Instagram boosting content promoting the artist and their music to a targeted audience. Ensure all copyright permissions have been provided and provide the artist with clear and transparent budgeting, targeting, and campaign information as required.

TikTok ads – promotional You run an ad campaign on TikTok promoting the artist and their music to a targeted audience. If you are using music in your ads and the artist's music is not available in the platform's library, liaise with the artist to get an audio file ahead of time. Ensure all copyright permissions have been provided and the music complies with TikTok's advertising policies. Provide the artist with clear and transparent budgeting, targeting, and campaign information as required.

TikTok ads – content boost You run an ad campaign on TikTok boosting content that promotes the artist and their music to a targeted audience. Ensure all copyright permissions have been provided and provide the artist with clear and transparent budgeting, targeting, and campaign information as required.

X (Twitter) advertising You run an ad campaign on Twitter promoting the artist and their music to a targeted audience. Ensure all copyright permissions have been provided and provide the artist with clear and transparent budgeting, targeting, and campaign information as required.

Spotify advertising You run an ad campaign on Spotify promoting the artist and their music to a targeted audience. Ensure all copyright permissions have been provided and provide the artist with clear and transparent budgeting, targeting, and campaign information as required.

The promo types you choose to offer should align with your strengths, platform, and audience. Consider:

Start with a few core promo types and expand as you develop your workflow and build confidence. You can always add new promo types later as your publication grows.

READ MORE: Managing Promotions

Need help deciding which promo types to offer or how to set them up? Contact the Musosoup team at curators@musosoup.com. We're always happy to help curators build effective promotions.