Video Tutorial:
Background
Spotify has become one of the most popular music streaming platforms globally, with over 345 million active monthly users. If you’re a musician or in a band, getting your music on Spotify playlists can be a significant commercial and artistic win. It can help you reach new audiences, gain more streams, increase your revenue, and boost your popularity.
In this blog, we’ll share some tips on how to get your band on Spotify playlists, which can help you maximize your chances of being heard by a broader audience.
What’s Needed
Before you start trying to get your music on Spotify playlists, here are a few things you need:
- High-Quality Music: You need to upload high-quality music to Spotify. Ensure that your music is mixed, mastered, and ready to go. You can’t get on a playlist with low-quality or poorly produced music.
- Spotify Verified Account: You need to have a verified Spotify account to pitch your music to curators.
- Target Playlists: Research the playlists that fit your band’s genre, and pay attention to the playlists’ curators. Make sure you’re submitting music to relevant and supportive curators.
What requires your attention is…?
When submitting your music to Spotify playlists, you need to pay attention to a few things:
- Genres: Your music should match the genres of the playlists you’re submitting to. If you’re submitting to a rap playlist and you’re a heavy metal band, you’re wasting both your time and the curators’ time. Start by submitting to playlists similar to your artistic style and genre.
- Release Dates: The release date of your music can also impact your chances of being featured. Try not to submit your song too far ahead of its release date, as it can lower your chances of being featured.
- Cover Art: Your cover art is the visual representation of your music, so make sure it’s eye-catching and represents your music well. Don’t forget that curators are mostly visual creatures, so if your cover art is excellent, they’re more likely to check out your music.
- Submit to Independent Curators: Submitting to independent curators can be very beneficial. Independent curators are often more accessible to reach, and they’re usually more willing to listen to new music.
Method 1: Pitch Your Music to Spotify Curators
Spotify curators are music experts who listen to and curate music according to specific themes, genres, occasions, etc. Pitching your music to curators can give your band the necessary exposure to get on Spotify playlists.
Here are the steps to pitch your music to Spotify curators:
- Log in to your Spotify for Artists account and select your release.
- Click on ‘Promotion’ and then ‘Learn more’ under the ‘Pitch Your Music’ section.
- Select the song you want to pitch and click ‘Continue.’
- Choose the playlist(s) you want to pitch your song to.
- Add any additional information or comments regarding the pitch.
- Click on ‘Pitch.’
Pros:
- You have direct contact with Spotify curators, who have the power to feature your music.
- You can pitch your music for free.
Cons:
- The competition is high as a lot of people try to reach out to Spotify curators.
- You may not hear back from curators.
- It’s challenging to know what curators are looking for.
Method 2: Networking
Networking is one of the most effective ways to get your music on Spotify playlists. You can increase your chances of getting on a playlist by networking with people in the music industry.
Here are the steps to network your way onto Spotify playlists:
- Find and follow playlist curators in your genre on social media.
- Engage with their posts: like, comment, and share their content.
- Send them a message to introduce yourself and share your music.
- Invite them to your shows and offer to collaborate with them.
Pros:
- You can build long-lasting relationships that transcend getting on playlists.
- You can get on playlists that are not publicly available.
Cons:
- It requires a lot of time and effort to build meaningful relationships.
- You may not get a response from playlist curators if they receive a large number of requests.
Method 3: Work with Music Promotion Companies
Music promotion companies help musicians increase their chances of getting on Spotify playlists by promoting their music to curators, influencers, and music blogs.
Here are the steps to work with music promotion companies:
- Research music promotion companies that have a track record of success.
- Read reviews and compare prices.
- Select the company that matches your goals and budget.
- Submit your music and wait for the promotional campaign to start.
Pros:
- You can leverage the promotion company’s existing relationships with playlist curators.
- You can save time on researching and pitching to curators.
Cons:
- It can be expensive depending on the company you choose.
- You may not have control over the curators the company pitches to.
Why Can’t I Get My Band on Spotify Playlists?
Here are some reasons why you may not be successful in getting your band on Spotify playlists:
- Poor quality music: Your music’s quality is lower than what playlist curators are looking for.
- Wrong genres: You’re submitting your music to playlists that don’t match your genre.
- Too early or too late submission: You’re submitting your music either too early or too late.
Implications and Recommendations
Getting on Spotify playlists can be very beneficial for your band’s success. It can help you reach new audiences, increase your revenue, and grow your fan base.
Here are a few recommendations for you to increase your chances of getting on Spotify playlists:
- Make sure your music production is of high quality.
- Submit your music to independent curators and target playlists that match your genre.
- Network with playlist curators and influencers in the music industry.
- Consider working with music promotion companies that can help you promote your music to the right curators.
FAQs
Q: How do I know which playlists fit my genre?
A: You can do a search on Spotify for playlists in your genre. You can also check the playlists that your fans listen to and submit your music to them.
Q: Can I submit the same song to multiple playlists?
A: Yes, you can submit the same song to multiple playlists as long as the playlists match your genre.
Q: Can I pay Spotify to get my music on playlists?
A: No, Spotify doesn’t allow artists or labels to pay for placement on playlists.
Q: How long does it take to get on a Spotify playlist?
A: It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to get on a Spotify playlist, depending on the curator’s response time.
Q: What happens if my song gets rejected?
A: Don’t worry if your song gets rejected. Keep improving your music and try again. Curators receive a lot of submissions, and they can’t feature everyone on their playlists.
Conclusion
Getting your band on Spotify playlists can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. You can pitch your music to Spotify curators, network with people in the industry, or work with music promotion companies. Regardless of the approach you choose, remember to submit high-quality music, target the right playlists, and never give up. Keep trying and improving, and one day you’ll reach your playlist goals.