In the music industry, Spotify is a powerful platform that allows independent musicians, record labels, and investors to reach a broader audience. Musicians seek ways to increase the streaming time of their music on Spotify to earn a living from it. One of the ways of achieving this is by submitting their songs to Spotify playlists. Spotify playlists are curated by either Spotify’s algorithm or human curators, and millions of users worldwide listen to them. As a result, the playlists offer an excellent opportunity for upcoming artists to gain exposure, credibility, and possibly earn some income.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before submitting your song to a Spotify playlist, certain things are required. First, you need to create a Spotify account, it can be either free or premium. Second, you must identify the right playlist where your song fits. Third, you need to ensure that your song is professionally mixed and mastered to increase the likelihood of being picked in the playlist. Fourth, you need to have a well-detailed artist profile, including your bio, social media handles, and your music catalog on Spotify. The better your artist profile is, the more attractive your song looks to curators.
What requires your attention is…
Several factors are crucial to increasing the chances of getting your song to Spotify playlists. Timing: Submit your song for consideration a few weeks before the release date. Identify the right curator who handles the right genre of music. Ensure that you follow the submission guidelines to the letter to avoid disqualification. Lastly, make sure that your song fits the context and mood of the playlist you are submitting it to.
Method 1: Spotify for Artists
Spotify for artists is an application that allows artists to manage their profiles and get insights into their audience. It also enables artists to submit their music to Spotify playlists. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Go to the Spotify for Artists website and log in using your Spotify account credentials.
2. Once you have logged in, click on the ‘Get Started’ tab at the screen’s top right corner.
3. From the dropdown menu, choose ‘Music’ and click on ‘Submit a song’ from the next page.
4. You will be directed to a page that prompts you to add your song’s details. Fill in the song’s title, artist name, release date, and the song’s role (e.g., writer, performer, producer).
5. You will be prompted to paste a link to the song on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.
6. Select the song’s genre, add some descriptive tags for the song, and then choose the primary language for the song.
7. Finally, submit your song.
Method 2: SubmitHub
SubmitHub is a platform that connects artists with curators by allowing artists to submit their music to curators for review. It provides an excellent opportunity to get your song in front of various curators in one place. Here are the steps:
1. Create an account on SubmitHub, using either your email or your social media handles.
2. Click on the ‘Submit Music’ tab at the screen’s top and select the curators that align with your genre of music.
3. You will be redirected to their profile page, where you can read their specific submission requirements.
4. Once you have read and understood the requirements, submit your song, and wait for feedback.
Method 3: Personalized Emails
Sending personalized emails to curators is another effective method of submitting your song to Spotify playlists. Here are the steps:
1. Identify the curators who curate playlists that align with your music genre.
2. Find their contact details and create a personalized email introducing yourself and your music.
3. Include your song’s Spotify link in the email and ask them to consider your song for their playlists.
4. Customize each email for each individual curator to increase the chances of receiving a response.
Why Can’t I Submit my Song to Spotify Playlists?
1. Not following the submission guidelines: Failure to adhere to the submission guidelines is the primary reason most songs get disqualified. Ensure that you read the guidelines and follow them to the letter.
2. Poor Quality Sound: Poorly mixed or unmastered songs result in disqualification. Ensure that your song is professionally mixed and mastered.
3. Wrong genre: Curators create playlists based on specific genres of music. Ensure that you submit your song to a curator who handles the genre that matches your song.
Implications and Recommendations
Submitting your song to Spotify playlists is a great way to gain exposure, credibility, and possibly earn some income. Nonetheless, it is important to note that not all successful musicians have achieved their success through Spotify playlists. Therefore, do not place too much focus on Spotify playlists as the only way to achieve success in the music industry. As a recommendation, ensure that you have a well-detailed artist profile and invest in creating high-quality music.
5 FAQs
Q. How long does it take for my song to get on a Spotify playlist?
A. The duration of the response varies with curators. It can range from one to four weeks, depending on the curator.
Q. Can I know the reason why my song was disqualified?
A. Unfortunately, curators do not provide feedback on why a song gets disqualified. Therefore, ensure that you read and follow the submission guidelines to the letter.
Q. Can I submit the same song to multiple playlists simultaneously?
A. Yes, you can submit your song to multiple playlists; however, ensure that you submit songs that match each playlist’s genre requirements.
Q. Can I submit my song before its official release date?
A. Yes, you can submit your song before the release date; however, ensure that it’s not public on Spotify before the release date.
Q. Can I follow up on the status of my song submission?
A. No, you cannot follow up on the status of your song submission. The application status will be updated when the curator makes a decision.
Conclusion
Submitting your music to Spotify playlists can be an effective way of gaining exposure, credibility, and possibly increasing your streams. However, it requires proper planning, organization, and adherence to the submission guidelines. It is essential to note that success in the music industry is not entirely dependent on Spotify playlists. Therefore, invest in creating high-quality music, a comprehensive artist profile, and other marketing strategies to increase your chances of success.