FAQ
Welcome to Take Aim Media. We are excited to start this journey with you. Releasing a record can feel like navigating uncharted waters, especially when it's your first time going through the entire promotional process. Please read our detailed FAQ below to set you up for success.
What do I need to run a successful campaign?
A successful campaign relies on having the right materials and information available at the right time. As we like to say, "We can't pitch what we don't have." Providing all necessary assets—such as high-quality press photos, album artwork, and your final release tracks—before we begin is essential to securing media coverage. The more prepared you are with materials, the more effectively we can pitch on your behalf. To ensure your campaign is impactful, starting with a well-defined vision for your project and clear goals for its promotion is essential. Here's what you'll need:
Compelling Story & Unique Angle: We'll work with you to refine your narrative, but having a straightforward, authentic story is critical to connecting with media outlets.
Professional Assets: This includes final audio masters, high-quality press photos, album and single artwork, and an electronic press kit (EPK) with a bio, key achievements, and links to streaming platforms.
Well-Timed Releases: Plan your releases to build anticipation. Three months before release is recommended to allow ample time for media outreach, reviews, and interviews. Plot out the dates of your releases and announcements to ensure alignment and coordination among all communication channels.
Digital Presence: Active social media and a well-maintained website will help media, fans, and industry professionals more easily engage with your music.
Availability for Interviews & Promo: Be ready to dedicate time to interviews, live sessions, and appearances. Flexibility is essential, especially when last-minute opportunities arise.
We'll guide you through each step, but your preparation and active participation are essential to the campaign's success.
How is my campaign time structured?
When you hire a publicist, you pay for their time, expertise, and efforts, not guaranteed results. While we work tirelessly to secure coverage and opportunities, media response is ultimately beyond our control. Our focus is on providing strategic outreach, maintaining industry relationships, and giving your project the best possible exposure during the campaign.
How do I communicate with my publicist?
Clear, streamlined communication is essential for a successful campaign. Here's how to ensure the process runs smoothly:
Be Respectful: We strive to maintain a healthy working relationship with our clients. We value open communication and diverse perspectives conducted with professionalism and mutual respect.
Assign a Single Point of Contact: To maintain efficiency, please designate one person to handle all communication with us. Managing input from multiple parties can reduce the time we can devote to outreach.
Be Mindful of Timing: While staying informed is essential, overcommunicating once the campaign begins can take time away from media outreach. Trust us to keep things moving and provide updates as necessary. We'll provide regular updates and reports weekly or bi-weekly, typically on Thursdays, as your publicist schedules.
Keep Us in the Loop: Let us know about any changes to your schedule, new releases, or upcoming events. This allows us to adjust strategies and ensure you receive maximum media coverage.
Preferred Channels: Email is our primary means of communication for key updates and deliverables. Publicists' hours are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST. We only work weekdays unless specified in the agreement.
Response Time: We aim to respond within 24 hours during business days. If your matter is urgent, please indicate it in your message.
Feedback & Approvals: We may need your timely approval on press materials or interview requests to keep the campaign on track and ensure media opportunities aren't missed.
Cadence: Your publicist will email you a press report showing your campaign's progress weekly or bi-weekly. This email will include updates on pending and confirmed coverage opportunities, radio plays, and feedback from contacts your publicist has contacted. If necessary, the publicist may also share actionable items that need your response or recommendations on improving engagement and securing press coverage.
We're here to make the process as smooth as possible, so don't hesitate to ask if you have questions or need clarification.
What if I want to make changes to the campaign?
We understand that plans can evolve and are happy to accommodate changes when possible. However, adjusting a campaign that's already in progress can affect the overall strategy and its efficacy. Additionally, significant changes may result in overage charges if they require extra time or resources beyond the original scope of work. We'll always discuss any potential costs or implications with you before moving forward.
How do I interpret my press report?
Press reports are shared on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. At the start of the campaign, publicists will walk you through a press report specific to your campaign. This report is a detailed breakdown of press coverage around your campaign and a list of identified media outlets we have contacted. This indicates the level of interest around your campaign, including the outlet's name, the type of coverage (feature, review, online or radio) and the coverage status (confirmed, in discussion or declined). Overall, the press report helps you understand the progress of the campaign and where further efforts may be needed to maximize visibility and reach.
What is the typical timeline of a campaign?
A successful PR campaign generally takes 3-6 months, depending on your goals and the scope of promotion. This gives us time to create momentum around your release, secure features, and schedule media appearances.
How do you target media outlets?
We customize our media outreach based on your genre, target audience, and campaign goals. We'll connect with music blogs, major publications, influencers, and platforms that best align with your music and brand. We will also get your input on media targets you have previous success or relationships with so we can include them in our list when we do our outreach.
How do I measure success?
Success can vary depending on your specific objectives. Metrics include the number of interviews, features, reviews, playlist placements, streaming numbers, and audience engagement. We'll provide detailed reports throughout the campaign so you can track progress.
Why is my music not receiving coverage or plays from your media partners?
Your publicist is working hard to reach out to as many relevant press outlets and radio stations as possible. It's important to remember that media coverage is ultimately at the discretion of editors and programmers who face a multitude of similar requests. Timing, editorial focus, subjective preferences and other factors affect their decisions. Rest assured, your publicist regularly communicates with our contacts as we share important updates, essential information and compelling angles about your release. Building relationships and gaining exposure for your music may take some time, and keeping it on their radar is valuable for eventual success.
What happens after the campaign ends?
While a PR campaign has a set duration, we provide you with tools and strategies to maintain momentum. You'll have relationships with media contacts, assets, and ongoing content ideas to keep your audience engaged post-campaign.