Stephanie G. Mathis It’s hard to argue that people trust and love playlists as a way to discover new music. It is a huge part of Spotify, with over 4 billion. This gives you a unique opportunity to reach a super-niche audience who will support your music.
Spotify’s curated playlists account for about one-third of all listening on the platform. Over half of these listens are algorithmic playlists and, and a third of all listening time is spent on playlists created by users.
Spotify’s in-house team creates the most popular playlists, like RapCaviar, which are the most sought-after feature. Spotify’s playlists are created using big data and then refined by Spotify employees.
There are also algorithmically-driven personalized playlists like Discover Weekly or Release Radar. Also, there are branded playlists created by record labels, influencers, and companies. We also have user-created lists, which anyone can make (including yourself! Can make.
Many artists don’t realize that Spotify tracks not only a variety of metrics on the platform but also crawls hundreds of music blogs and keeps track of social media buzz. It then compares this data to key tastemakers’ listening activities on Spotify. Fresh Finds, for example, can be a powerful tool to help independent artists.
It makes sense, then, to consider playlist features as part of a larger strategy where all your efforts are complementary: Press and social media mentions fuel Spotify features and vice versa.
Verify your account
This video will guide you through the steps to becoming a Spotify-verified artist.
The checkmark next to your name indicates that you are a legitimate artist. It also grants you access to stats, fan insights, and the opportunity to pitch your song directly to Spotify’s editorial team for consideration for a playlist (more information below).
Join the Spotify community.
The more you use Spotify and the more songs you add to your playlists, the more you’re more likely to be noticed by human curators as well as the algorithm.
You should release new music regularly, even if you only have singles or EPs. Promote your artist page on Spotify and build up your following to ensure that your tracks are included in your fans’ Release Radar.
You should build as much social proof as possible, especially when you are just starting out. This will help you have a strong foundation in the future. Link to your Spotify page on your website. Share it across all of your social media accounts. Please include it in your occasional email newsletter.
You can share and sell your music using a customized Spotify Landing Page on your website. Try Bandzoogle today!
Start small, then work your way up.
Algorithmic playlists are a huge source of listeners, even though getting on the official, big playlists may be the goal for many artists. Suppose you work the algorithm while pitching independent curators within your niche. In that case, it’s more likely that you will gain traction and be noticed by the most influential curators or even Spotify itself.
Set aside some time to listen and do research. You can find playlists where you feel your music is a good fit; when you are satisfied with your list, note which playlists were created algorithmically and which ones were curated.
You should try to get as many Spotify followers and fans as possible to create algorithmic playlists. Find out who created the human-curated lists (the username is linked at the top of the page, right under the title and description) and if they are open to pitches.
Write a personalized, compelling pitch for each curator
Work your connections if you have a good relationship with a publicist, manager, or label executive who is familiar with a curator. If you don’t have any connections, find the contact information for curators who accept submissions and send them each a personal pitch that explains why your song is perfect for their playlist.
These guidelines are the same for pitches to music journalists or talent buyers. Imagine yourself in the shoes of your audience and ask why you think they would care about an email they received from an unknown artist. What’s in it for them if not you?
Show your genuineness by letting them know that you listened to their playlist. Be brief with your message but specific in what you are asking. Make it easy for them to answer “yes.”
Send your new releases directly to Spotify’s editorial staff
You can submit an unreleased track for consideration in a playlist with a Spotify for Artists verified account. This process is free.
Since launching its submission tool in 2018, Spotify has played 20 percent of pitches or about 72,000 artists. Submission of the form will ensure that your song is added to your fans’ Release Radar playlists regardless of whether it gets chosen for an editorial playlist.
Spotify has some great tips on how to make sure your submission stands out.
The sooner, the better. Send your song to editors at least a week before its release date.
Fill in all the fields. Complete the form as accurately and completely as possible. It is important to answer the questions regarding your track’s genre and mood. This will help you route your submission to the correct editors.
Focus on community and context. Spotify’s playlist editor explains: “Given the who, what, and why of your song, tell us when, where, and how it was made.” Please let us know if there is a story surrounding you or the song. We love the music, but we also appreciate the context.
Maintain your online presence as well as wider PR efforts
Do everything you can to keep the momentum going if you manage to get a playlist, however small. Thank the curator, and shout it out loud on your channels.
Don’t give up if you’ve not seen any success with your playlists. While it may seem that artists are going viral overnight, the truth is that building buzz and honing their craft takes time. Remember, playlisting is only one aspect of your overall strategy. Maintaining your online presence and working on your PR efforts in the long term will also feed into Spotify’s algorithm.
Create your playlist!
Remember to create public playlists as you develop your Spotify presence. You can feature these on your verified artist pages. This is a great opportunity to interact with your fans and show support for other independent musicians.
The majority of your playlists should feature songs by other artists, with a few of your tracks sprinkled in. It suggests that you aim for 25 songs maximum and no more.
You can create playlists around any theme. However, we recommend that you start simple and searchable with a mood, genre, or activity. You can collaborate with other artists to create playlists and increase your exposure by cross-promoting them. This is a win for everyone!
