If you are an aspiring artist trying to make it big online, you may be familiar with Spotify playlists.
But have you wondered why they are so important for music discovery? More importantly, how can you, as an artist, use them to your advantage?
Spotify is the go-to platform for music fans around the world! It is the ultimate destination for discovering new music and artists.
However, getting your tracks on the most coveted playlists is no easy feat. It requires strategy, persistence, and a solid promotional plan.
Why are Playlists so Important
To the novice user, Spotify playlists may seem like a collection of songs! In reality, they are valuable tools if you want to grow your audience or boost your visibility.
A feature on the right playlist can get you thousands, even millions of new listeners. These playlists help users find new music they may not have found otherwise, and they have a huge influence on which song becomes a hit.
With algorithmic playlists like Release Radar or Discover Weekly, the platform is designed to introduce listeners to different artists and genres. As a musician or artist, this is where the real opportunity lies for you.
Types of Spotify Playlists
Before you start focusing on getting featured, it is important to understand the different types of playlists available on Spotify. Each has its set of rules and knowing these will give you a better shot at getting noticed so you can gain more followers.
- Editorial playlists- made by Spotify’s editorial team- focused on specific genres or trends.
- Algorithmic playlists- personalized for each user
- Artist playlist- made by artists themselves- feature their tracks or music they like
- Fan-made playlists- made by users- can often go viral and affect the algorithms.
- Personalized playlists– specific to each listener’s tastes
How to Get Featured on Spotify Playlists
So, how do you get your music on a playlist? Let’s find out!
Optimize Your Artist Profile
First impressions- you know how important they are! Make sure your Spotify profile is complete and looks professional. This includes having a high-quality artist photo, a clear bio, and links to your social media handles.
A good-looking and polished profile will make you more attractive to curators and playlist managers.
Engage with Your Audience
Build up your Spotify following! If you are finding it hard to take off, use a growth service like SocialGreg to boost your count and plays.
You can then leverage this boost to get more followers. The more followers you have the higher will be the prospects of your music showing up in their personalized playlists.
To grow your audience, encourage your fans to follow you and share your music on social media. This will trigger the algorithms to take notice, and you may experience a noticeable difference in visibility.
Pitch Your Music Early- Use Spotify’s Playlist Submission Tool
Do not wait till the last minute! If you want to get on an editorial playlist, it is important that you pitch your music to the team through Spotify for Artists at least seven to ten days before your release date.
Spotify offers you an easy way to submit your unreleased tracks directly to the editorial team. Fill out the submission form with as much detail as possible- including the context of your song, the inspiration behind it, and if you have any plans to promote it.
Provide as much information as you can. It will boost your chances of getting featured.
Leverage Your Existing Connections
If you have any connections in the music industry, use them!
Playlist curators are usually open to submissions from trusted contacts in the industry. If you do not have direct access to curators, you can still build relationships with independent curators by engaging with them on social media and pitching your music to them.
Promote Your Playlist Features
When you get featured on a playlist, do not just sit back and relax!
Promote your placement and share it with your followers on social media. Remember to tag the playlist curator and thank them for this opportunity. You can also gain more traction by adding more plays for your tracks. Visit the socialgreg site for more details.
Final Thoughts
One feature on a playlist can have a significant impact on your career!
Being featured does not only mean getting your music out there! It also means using the momentum from that feature to keep your growth going. So, make the most of every playlist opportunity to build your career.
Whether you are working on a new single or an album, promote your music on Spotify and continue to connect with curators.
Also, keep working on your engagement and remain consistent to retain your audience across all your channels.
