In today’s music industry, getting your tracks featured on playlists can make a significant difference in your career. Whether you’re aiming for exposure on Spotify or other streaming platforms, playlists can introduce your music to new audiences, increase your streams, and even catch the attention of record labels. But how do you get your music on those coveted playlists?
Here’s a friendly guide to help you navigate this process and boost your chances of success, plus we reveal the ultimate way to easily submit your music to be featured on popular playlists.
1. Understand the Different Types of Playlists
Before diving into the how-to, it’s essential to understand the types of playlists available. There are three main categories:
- Editorial Playlists: Curated by the platform’s editorial team (like Spotify’s RapCaviar or Apple Music’s Today’s Hits), these playlists are highly sought after but challenging to get featured on. They’re perfect for massive exposure.
- Algorithmic Playlists: These playlists, such as Spotify’s Discover Weekly or Release Radar, are generated by algorithms based on user listening habits. Getting into these requires consistent engagement with your listeners.
- User-Curated Playlists: These are playlists created by individual users, influencers, or even smaller curators. While they may not have the same reach as editorial playlists, they can still provide valuable exposure, especially when multiple smaller playlists feature your track.
2. Prepare Your Music for Submission
To stand out in a sea of submissions, your music needs to be polished. This means high-quality production, mixing, and mastering. Your track should be ready to compete with the top-charting songs. Poor production quality can easily turn off curators and listeners alike.
Also, ensure your track’s metadata is accurate. This includes your song title, artist name, album artwork, and release date. Incorrect or incomplete metadata can lead to your submission being ignored.
3. Build Your Presence on Streaming Platforms
To increase your chances of getting on playlists, you need to establish a presence on streaming platforms. For instance, on Spotify, claim your Spotify for Artists profile. This gives you control over your artist page, allowing you to update your bio, photos, and even the ability to share upcoming shows. A well-maintained artist profile can leave a strong impression on playlist curators.
Before you even think about pitching your tracks, make sure your artist profile is polished and professional. This gives playlist curators confidence that you’re serious about your music. On platforms like Spotify, having an optimized profile includes:
- High-quality images and artwork for your albums and singles.
- A detailed artist bio that shares your story and musical journey.
- Links to your social media and website.
- Keeping your profile updated with new releases and milestone achievements.
An appealing profile doesn’t just look good; it increases the chances of curators noticing your music, whether they’re Spotify editors or independent playlist managers.
4. Pitch Directly to Editorial Playlists
Most streaming platforms offer a way for artists to submit their music directly to their editorial team. For example, Spotify for Artists allows you to pitch unreleased tracks to their editorial curators. When submitting, provide as much context as possible, mentioning your genre, the mood of the song, any notable collaborations, and any promotional plans. This information helps curators understand where your music might fit.
However, be patient. Editorial playlists receive countless submissions, and there’s no guarantee that your track will be selected. But consistent pitching, along with building your overall presence, increases your chances over time.
When releasing a new track and submitting it to Spotify for Artists, remember:
- Release in advance: Upload your music at least three weeks before the release date to ensure you have time to pitch it.
- Submit unreleased music: Spotify’s editorial team only accepts tracks that haven’t yet been released.
- Provide details: When submitting, fill out the form with as much information as possible, including the track’s genre, mood, instruments, and any story behind the song. This helps the curators understand how your music fits within their playlists.
5. Build Relationships with Curators
Independent and user-generated playlists are a goldmine for emerging artists. Here’s how to build a relationship with playlist curators:
- Start small: Instead of targeting massive playlists with millions of followers, begin with smaller, niche playlists that fit your genre. These curators are more likely to listen to and accept your submissions.
- Personalize your pitch: When reaching out to curators, make it personal. Don’t just send a generic email or message. Listen to their playlist, mention a track you liked, and explain why your music would be a good fit. This increases your chances of getting noticed.
- Engage with curators on social media: Follow curators on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Engage with their posts, leave comments, and build a connection before pitching. Over time, this relationship may lead to opportunities.
6. Generate Early Engagement
Platforms like Spotify rely heavily on early listener engagement to determine whether to push a track to more listeners. To improve your chances of playlist placements:
- Promote pre-saves: Encourage your fans to pre-save your track before its release. This can help push your song onto algorithmic playlists like Release Radar.
- Ask for playlist adds: When your song is live, ask your fans to add it to their personal playlists. The more playlists your track is added to, the better its performance metrics, making it more likely to be noticed by curators.
7. Collaborate and Network
Networking remains a powerful tool in the music industry. Collaborate with other artists, producers, and influencers who have established connections. When you collaborate on a track, you’re potentially exposing your music to a whole new audience, which can lead to more playlist features.
Attending industry events, engaging with fellow musicians online, and being active in music communities can open doors to playlist opportunities. You never know who might know a playlist curator or be able to introduce you.
8. Promote Your Music Actively
Your efforts shouldn’t stop once your music is on a playlist. Promote the playlist on your social media, website, and during live performances. Tag the playlist curator if possible, showing appreciation for the feature. This can build a relationship that might lead to future placements.
Continuous engagement with your audience in this way can boost your streams, which can catch the attention of algorithmic playlists like Spotify’s Discover Weekly.
9. Utilize Playlist Promotion Services Carefully
There are services out there that promise to get your music on playlists for a fee. While some can be legitimate and helpful, others might engage in unethical practices, such as using bots to generate fake streams. These practices can lead to your music being removed from streaming platforms altogether.
If you choose to use a playlist promotion service, we suggest you research thoroughly and ensure they have a solid reputation before parting with any money.
10. Be Persistent and Patient
Getting your music on playlists is rarely an overnight success. It requires persistence, patience, and continuous effort. Keep creating great music, engaging with your fans, and pitching to curators. With time, your efforts will pay off, and you’ll see your tracks gaining traction on various playlists.
11. Sign up to Music Gateway and Submit to Popular Playlists
Did you know that when you sign up for an account with Music Gateway, you get easy access to submit to our popular selection of playlists? Submitting is simple – just sign up for any level account, from free to pro, complete your details and import your music, then you can easily access the playlist submissions from your personal dashboard.
- Pick the right playlist that is best suited to your style of music.
- Click ‘Submit to Playlist’.
- Choose which of your uploaded tracks you want to submit.
- Click submit and we do the rest!
- Successful submissions will be notified by email.
Our industry playlists are a great way to start getting your music heard by new audiences and building a solid fanbase. So what are you waiting for? Sign up and start submitting to our playlists today!
Final Thoughts
Getting your music on playlists is an essential step toward reaching new listeners and building a fanbase. By optimizing your profile, targeting the right playlists, building relationships with curators, and generating early engagement, you can significantly improve your chances of playlist placements.
Remember, persistence is key—stay active, keep promoting your tracks, and most importantly, continue making great music. Your time on that dream playlist might be just around the corner!
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