Seeking to broaden your audience and have your music heard? Use this article as an instruction manual on submission strategies, what the optimal platforms to use are, and techniques for distributing your music.
Key Takeaways
- Platforms like Groover, SubmitHub, and Playlist Push help indie artists send their music to influential music curators and professionals who offer feedback in return.
- Building personal relationships with Spotify playlist curators and bloggers can significantly boost credibility and exposure.
- Submitting music to YouTube channels and record labels and engaging with SoundCloud repost channels can greatly extend an artist’s reach and potential income.
Where to Pitch
The journey through the music industry for an independent artist can seem overwhelming, so let us guide you in effectively pitching your music for greater visibility using various submission sites and channels such as:
- Music-focused blogs
- Curated Spotify playlists
- Influential YouTube channels
1. Music Submission Sites
Sites dedicated to submitting music enable artists to reach out to a host of curators, with the goal of getting further exposure. When used strategically, these services can foster valuable connections with playlist creators, leading to bigger opportunities and longterm connections. Utilizing these platforms properly ensures that your art finds its audience and gains recognition it deserves within the wider industry context. Noteworthy among these submission platforms are:
- Groover
- SubmitHub
- Soundplate
- Fluence
- Playlist Push
These outlets offer artists the chance to engage directly with professionals like music producers, radio supervisors, and so much more.
Example: Groover – A Powerful Tool for Music Submission
Groover is a platform designed to streamline the process of music submissions, providing musicians with direct access to influential curators and industry professionals. Renowned for its simplicity of use and extensive global curator base, Groover empowers artists to send their songs directly to a wide array of music influencers such as playlist creators, bloggers, record labels, among others, ensuring guaranteed feedback. Groover has curated an assorted lineup which includes contacts like:
- Record Labels
- Talent Managers
- Concert Promoters
- Publishers
- Music/Sync supervisors
This extensive network presents artists with multiple opportunities for advancing their musical outreach.
Notable Qualities
One notable advantage offered by Groover is its promise of feedback within one week’s time. While each submission via contact on the platform comes at a starting price point of $2 (paid in Grooviz, the virtual currency used within Groover), the assurance that you’ll receive constructive critique promptly – or your money back – is an invaluable aspect for any musician aiming to progress in their career. Artists are also able to fine-tune their campaign strategies as they go, saving them as drafts prior to release dates so they can work ahead, which can be a huge time saver.
Get started here!
2. Submit Your Music to Blogs
Efforts to have your music heard within the music industry can be rewarded when you submit your tracks to influential blogs. The trust that readers place in these platforms’ reviews and suggestions cannot be overstated, so when bloggers share a new song or artist, their loyal fanbase will tap in. These websites open up avenues for forming lasting connections with gatekeepers of the industry while providing additional avenues through which you could secure greater visibility.
Reaching Out
It is essential, for anyone looking to get their work featured, to do thorough research and approach only the bloggers who are most likely to appreciate their music and style. Crafting a submission that reflects awareness of the target blog’s preferences (whether by genre or mood) demonstrates both respect for its curators and an authentic interest in reaching its audience. Therefore, highlight precise reasons as to why your songs would appeal to their followers, and why you want to be featured on their page specifically. Such customization of messaging improves the odds of having your music not only heard but also prominently showcased on their platform.
3. Leveraging Spotify Playlist Submission Forms
Artists and labels seeking to broaden their music’s reach can leverage Spotify playlists as an effective tool for connecting with more listeners. To have your upcoming tracks considered by Spotify’s editorial teams, you must:
- Access the ‘Spotify for Artists’ platform via a desktop computer.
- Look under the ‘Upcoming’ tab to locate your soon-to-be-released tracks.
- Schedule your pitch between its distribution date and release date, as only unreleased music is eligible for submission.
When submitting to Spotify’s team, be aware that you’re limited to one track per submission and this should be done no later than seven days prior its official release. Provide in-depth information regarding your track in the pitch, including genre, emotional tone, what instruments were used, and more to aid playlist editors in understanding why it deserves to be heard. You will be walked through all of these details during submission, and can take a look at our outline of the process here. Despite approximately 75,000 artists being highlighted across Spotify playlists weekly, competition remains fierce. Adhering strictly to Spotify’s guidelines during submission, along with providing relevant and descriptive information about your track in your message, may help you stand out from the vast number of submissions they receive.
4. Connecting with Independent Playlist Curators
Establishing connections with independent music playlist curators can be critical for artists aiming to secure spots on influential playlists, as many curators host playlists that have the same reach and following as Spotify’s editorial playlists. To find them, initiate a search in Spotify using specific keywords relevant to your genre such as ‘lofi’ or ‘indie pop rock.’’ You can also inspect the ‘Discovered On’ area under profiles of comparable artists to identify which playlists have included them. When contacting these tastemakers, it’s essential to tailor a succinct and personal message to grab their attention and spark their curiosity. Here’s what you should consider when pitching:
- Demonstrate awareness of their music preferences (genre, mood, artists)
- Propose promoting their playlist to your following
- Follow-up after making initial contact, as they often deal with a high volume of track submissions daily
Reaching Out
Because these curators are regular Spotify users like you and me and are not associated with the platform, there are many ways of getting in touch with them. If you discovered them via social media (TikTok, Instagram), opt for a direct message to an account of theirs. If you found their website, try to find their email. Be creative about your means of outreach!
5. Submitting Music to Record Labels
In the music industry, independent artists often strive to sign the coveted record deal so emblematic of one’s success. Whether you wish to be signed to jumpstart your career or would just like some help with distribution, it doesn’t hurt to submit to labels and see what comes of it.
Reaching Out
Before sending your music off, make sure that it is fully produced, mixed, and mastered (or prepared for mastering). Thorough research should be conducted on potential labels to ensure a good fit between their musical preferences and your own work. This will boost the chances of grabbing their interest. When you’re ready to share your demos, use private streaming links instead of attaching files into emails. Also, avoid reaching out via social media; unlike outreach to indie curators, you should stick to more formal means of communication when contacting a label.
Should there be no response after several weeks since submitting, don’t hesitate to send a respectful follow-up email. Rejection should not dissuade you. Rather let it serve as constructive feedback for refining both your craft and approach in navigating through the intricate lanes of this competitive landscape. Having sent the pitch is already a small win.
6. YouTube Channels
To significantly broaden your audience, consider submitting your music to well-known YouTube channels for inclusion in their music videos and public playlists. YouTube music channels quietly continue to garner thousands, sometimes millions, of views and have propelled some playlists into mainstream listening (ex: Lofi Girl). Channels of note consist of:
- Monstercat Uncaged
- UKF Dubstep
- Loudwire
- Fearless Records
- Majestic Casual
- Bandit Tunes
- WaveMusic
- IndieCurrent
It’s vital to procure the appropriate contact details for these entities, because each platform operates with its unique set of rules and procedures for submissions. For example, Monstercat Uncaged can be contacted at press@monstercat.com, while UKF Dubstep provides a specific link for song submissions.
7. SoundCloud Repost Channels
Repost channels on SoundCloud offer an excellent opportunity for emerging producers to expand their reach and gain a larger listener base. By leveraging repost chains, artists can mutually share tracks with each other’s audiences, thus broadening their exposure.
Popular channels such as Future Bass, Beats & Culture, and Rap Nation are prime examples of where artists can submit their music. Once again, pay attention to how these pages want to receive submissions. Future Grams provide details directly on their SoundCloud page, while submission information for Beats & Culture and Rap Nation is available via their Facebook pages. Adhering closely to each channel’s guidelines for submissions will make the lives of those who will be reviewing your music so much easier, and allow for smooth communication should they decide to repost your music. You want to build connections, so don’t have your first contact with them be a burden for them.
8. Direct Handouts via USB
Distributing customized USB drives loaded with your music at live events can create a memorable impact, and is done more than you’d expect. Upload a couple songs as well as a file with you artist bio and contact information, and pass it on to industry players you think might be able to pass it onto the right hands. Even better, if you manage to speak to your favorite artist or their manager, give it to them. Make sure to name your USB something memorable so they don’t lose it on their desktop!
9. Submitting to Music Libraries
Music libraries can be a lucrative source for generating income through sync fees and royalties once artists have submitted their music, which is then utilized in media such as films, television shows, or video games. These libraries allow music supervisors to browse their catalog in search of music they would like to include in their productions. These placements not only provide upfront payments but also ongoing royalty earnings. Because it is an open catalog, there is less pressure on you to “pitch” your music – it simply needs to be accepted after being heard.
Independent artists can benefit from submitting their tracks to various non-exclusive music libraries as it broadens exposure while maintaining control over their catalog. The ability to continuously pitch songs to new prospects without restriction makes these platforms appealing options for artists aiming to increase their reach and financial gains.
10. Getting Featured on Podcasts & Radio Shows
Approaching podcast hosts with your music is one way to get it spotlighted in their episodes. Podcasters typically need a specific license to feature your tunes because they do not rely on the general licenses that AM/FM stations use, so make sure your music rights are in order. For podcasts with more recognition and following, you can also compose music tailored specifically for these shows. Getting featured would mean continuous promotion, since podcasts are available indefinitely after they are first published.
The organic promotion that comes from a spot in a popular podcast or broadcast – particularly those managed by renowned labels and acclaimed artists – can expand an artist’s reach significantly.
Summary
In the complex landscape of the music industry, independent artists can gain tons of traction by strategically using various platforms and avenues to promote their music. Whether it’s through engaging with blogs, submitting work to Spotify playlists, or harnessing the (slept on) power of YouTube channels and other music libraries, these pathways present ample opportunities for artists to have their music heard.
Remember to follow guidelines, personalize messages, and be descriptive when it comes to describing your music. Do research on who you’re reaching out to beforehand, and only contact them if you feel like it’s a good fit. Always include your contact information as well!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Groover?
Groover serves as a promotional platform for music, allowing artists to contact prominent curators and experts in the industry directly. This facilitates their tracks being listened to while also securing worthwhile feedback within the span of one week. All this is done through their website online.
How can I submit my music to Spotify playlists?
Artists can pitch their unreleased released tracks directly to Spotify’s editorial team for potential playlist placement through Spotify itself. To do this: log into Spotify for Artists, navigate to the ‘Upcoming’ area where your new music is listed (after you’ve submitted it for distribution), and ensure that you provide descriptive details about your track while adhering strictly to the submission guidelines provided, such as word count.
What are some popular YouTube channels for music submissions?
Explore channels like Monstercat Uncaged, UKF Dubstep, and IndieCurrent on YouTube, and browse their suggested playlists as well.
What are the benefits of submitting music to blogs?
Bloggers have very loyal audiences who trust their opinion and expertise, so being featured by a music blog can get eyes on your project that have the potential to become true fans. Personalized outreach to genre-specific bloggers when submitting your music can boost the likelihood of being featured, thereby granting you exposure and credibility as well as access to an audience that relies on their trusted reviews and recommendations.
How can I get my music featured on podcasts and radio shows?
By directly contacting podcast hosts or producing music for existing shows, you can secure features on both podcasts and radio programs to boost its visibility. Even easier, you can contact curators directly through Groover so you know your efforts will not be in vain.
Wishing you success in your musical endeavors!
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Start promoting your music now!