Playlists have become the main means of discovery for many music lovers as more and more independent playlist curators build a loyal following. Submitting music to various platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music, is crucial for reaching wider audiences. Both editorial and user-created playlists can have millions of followers, making them very significant players in helping artists gain exposure. Let’s look at how you can submit your music to playlist curators and increase your visibility on streaming platforms through playlist placements.
Key Takeaways
- There exist independent playlist curators – users with big followings, and Spotify curators – those part of the editorial team
- Personalize your music submissions and follow curator guidelines to increase your chances of getting featured on playlists
- Consider both paid and free submission tools to maximize your chances of playlist placement
1. How to Submit Your Music to Spotify Playlist Curators
Regardless of who you’re submitting to, the process to submit music will be pretty straightforward if you come prepared. Here’s what you should have handy before you begin:
- Artist bio (independent playlists)
- Song description/pitch (both indie and editorial)
- Song genre/subgenre selections (editorial playlists)
- Links to your social media pages (independent playlists)
- List of accolades and accomplishments (editorial playlists)
Independent Playlists
The submission process differs slightly depending on who you submit to. An independent Spotify playlist curator will often be contacted directly via social media or email, thus you can add a very brief artist bio before your song pitch, and include links to your socials and website in the message. Even better if you have an electronic press kit for them to visit to understand you better as an artist. Some indie playlist curators do have online submission pages, in which case you should follow their guidelines. When you reach out, personalize your approach, demonstrate gratitude, and ensure that you share comprehensive details about your song.
Spotify Playlists
If you’re submitting to the official Spotify editorial team, you’ll notice that they ask you to fill out a detailed form where you’ll be asked to pitch yourself and your song in a 500 character-limit text box, before providing “tags” for what genre and mood your music fits in with best. This will help the team decide what editorial playlist your song could be added do. Begin this process through Spotify for Artists and aim to submit your unreleased tracks at least a fortnight in advance of its drop date.
While you’re able to only pitch one song per release until it’s available on Spotify—bear in mind that any alterations made after submitting but before the drop date may not be considered—the edit option remains open up until then. There are no assurances these changes will be acknowledged by editors post-submission.
2. Top Independent Spotify Playlist Curators to Submit Your Music To
Services such as Groover, SubmitHub, and PlaylistPush facilitate the process of submitting music to curators. Music marketing plays a crucial role in helping independent musicians effectively promote their music, and these curators are essential in this process.
Curators you can contact directly on Groover:
🔸 Electro Posé
Electro Posé is a curator with over 800k followers on Spotify who specializes in chill, relaxing, working, and dance music. His Spotify playlist “Chill Vibes 2024 🌙” has over 1.2 million likes. Get in touch here.
🔸 Soundsol
Soundsol is a Canadian curator with over 64K followers on Instagram and 195 public playlists on Spotify. They tend to add Hip-Hop, RnB, Indie Pop, House, and Indie Rock submissions to their playlists the most. Get in touch here.
🔸 Unity Records
Unity Records is a label that loves ElectroPop, Hip-Hop, Indie Pop, and French Rap. Their four most popular Spotify playlists (Indie & Alternative, Hot Hits World, Club Music 2024, and Best Alternative Soul & Rnb) each have between 45K and 404K followers. Get in touch here.
Submission Tools:
🔸 Indiemono
Indiemono champions the cause of independent music, providing a platform particularly beneficial for indie artists seeking to increase their streaming figures. The availability of a free submission tool simplifies and streamlines the process for musicians worldwide to submit their music effortlessly, garnering favor within the artist community.
🔸 Daily Playlists
The music enthusiasts who curate Daily Playlists provide a platform for discovering new music by maintaining an accessible submission process through their contact link, enabling artists to connect with an engaged audience effortlessly.
Spanning numerous genres, Daily Playlists ensures that various styles of music within the popular playlists spectrum are heard and appreciated.
🔸 Soundplate
Soundplate serves as a connector between artists and independent curators, fostering worldwide interactions with playlist creators to boost the likelihood of song inclusion.
To submit your music on Soundplate, simply follow their submission guidelines found within their contact link.
3. Popular Spotify Playlist Curators to Consider
Spotify playlists are a crucial gateway for independent and emerging artists to gain widespread exposure, thanks to their extensive followings and variety in styles. Getting your music heard by a wider audience through these popular curators is both and honor and a general career boost!
Among the leading Spotify playlist curators worth considering for submissions are Rizing Playlists, Work Hard Playlist Hard, and Spingrey. These platforms provide distinct avenues through which artists can engage with listeners effectively while achieving meaningful visibility within the music scene.
Rizing Playlists
With an extensive audience that encompasses a variety of musical tastes, Rizing Playlists presents itself as an ideal platform for artists aiming to reach a wide-ranging listenership.
Thanks to the efforts of curator Simon Field, the following of Rizing Playlists has expanded greatly, creating more chances for artists to engage with their audience.
Work Hard Playlist Hard
The Work Hard Playlist Hard campaign assists indie artists in obtaining visibility by enabling them to showcase their music to an enthusiastic audience eager for fresh and intriguing tunes. By presenting your work through this initiative, you can connect with a devoted collective of music aficionados on the lookout for new additions to their playlists.
Spingrey
Emerging artists are given the opportunity to showcase their talents through Spingrey, a platform dedicated to highlighting new talent. By submitting music through Patreon, these artists can access a wider audience in an innovative and easily accessible manner.
4. Paid vs Free Submission Tools
Artists have the option to utilize either paid or free submission tools to send their work to playlist curators. The paid services simplify finding appropriate curators and keeping tabs on submissions, which can be advantageous. If budget is an issue, artists might opt for free methods even though they may result in less engagement.
It’s important to consider both advantages and disadvantages when choosing between these options. Paid solutions come with comprehensive functionalities and often yield better results. Those who prefer not to spend money still have a shot at success by applying a more strategic approach with free tools.
5. Tips for a Successful Pitch to Playlist Curators
To successfully engage playlist curators, tailor your approach and present your content clearly. It’s important to be authentic in your interactions because genuine exchanges are more likely to result in an increase of followers for a Spotify playlist.
Keep the length of your pitch on the shorter side to keep the curator interested. You should only send one track link at first, since most curators must sift through messages quickly given the volume of submissions. Always reach out through their preferred communication channel, which is typically stated in their Spotify playlist details.
Should a curator respond, make sure you respond quickly. This strategy aids in cultivating lasting connections with curators, enhancing the chance they’ll support you and feature you on playlists again down the line.
6. Avoiding Scams and Fake Curators
Protect your music and reputation by steering clear of deceptive playlist accounts. It’s a warning sign when a playlist has an identical tally of listeners and streams because natural playlists usually have higher stream counts than listener numbers. If you notice a hefty follower count with all followers having streamed on the same day, be cautious as it may suggest fraudulent activity.
Exercise caution with curators who promise specific streaming figures as well. Actual track success relies on numerous unforeseeable elements. When curator followers don’t display real names or profile pictures, this could point to inauthentic followers—casting doubt that their playlists will offer any legitimate visibility for your music.
Genuine playlists can be recognized by their presence in the ‘Discovered On’ area within an artist’s Spotify profile—an endorsement not associated with phony playlists.
Summary
Submitting your tracks to curators of Spotify playlists is an effective strategy for expanding your reach and connecting with a broader audience. By grasping the significance of playlist curators, adhering to their guidelines for submissions, and developing an engaging pitch, you’re more likely to secure a spot on these coveted lists. It’s essential to avoid fraudulent schemes while seeking out opportunities to heighten the visibility of your music through various playlists.
Achieving success within the industry goes beyond merely getting featured on Spotify playlists. It also involves cultivating a devoted following that actively engages with your work. Employing the tactics discussed in this overview can bolster promotional efforts for your music and facilitate career advancement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I submit my music to Spotify playlist curators?
If you’re aiming to have your music featured on Spotify playlists, simply utilize the Spotify for Artists platform to submit tracks that have not yet been released, ensuring this is done at least a fortnight prior to their official release.
It’s important to tailor each submission specifically for individual curators in order to boost the likelihood of your music being selected.
What are the benefits of submitting to independent Spotify playlist curators?
Reaching out to independent Spotify playlist curators can significantly enhance your visibility as they often welcome fresh artists onto their playlists.
This method is an excellent strategy for connecting with a broader audience and ensuring that your music gains attention!
How can I avoid scams and fake playlist curators?
To avoid scams, keep an eye on playlists that have a strange balance of listeners and streams, and steer clear of curators promising guaranteed listens or with fake followers.
Real playlists will show up in your ‘Discovered On’ section, so use that as a guide!
What are the advantages of using paid submission tools?
Using paid submission tools can really simplify your process by helping you find the right curators quickly and keeping track of your submissions effortlessly.
It’s worth considering if you want to save time and increase your chances of success!
How can I maximize my music’s exposure through playlists?
Ensure that you select a standout track and verify the accuracy of your metadata before submitting it at least one week prior to maximize exposure for your music.
Securing verification on Spotify for Artists can significantly enhance your likelihood of featuring in playlists!
I Read also: How to get to Spotify Playlists
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Send your music to the playlists of your choice and boost your streams 🚀