Getting placed in playlists is one of the most effective ways to get heard in the music industry these days with the rise of streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and others, where playlists play a significant role in music discovery.
If you land on the right playlists, your song can go from 50 streams to 50,000 streams in just a matter of days!
The goal of playlist pitching for any artist or band is to increase a song's visibility, streams, and ultimately, its success. Here's a general overview of how it typically works, particularly on platforms like Spotify.
Some streaming services offer a direct way for artists to pitch their music for playlist consideration. For example, Spotify for Artists allows artists or their representatives to submit an unreleased song for playlist consideration. This gives the song a chance to be featured on Spotify's editorial playlists.
Beyond the official channels, there are numerous third-party playlist curators across various platforms. These can range from individual influencers to larger playlisting brands.
Pitching to these curators often involves sending a pitch via email or through submission forms, detailing the song and why it's a good fit for their playlist.
There are companies and services that specialize in playlist pitching. They leverage their networks and expertise to pitch tracks to playlist curators on behalf of artists.
But while some of these services are reputable and can be effective, you should SERIOUSLY exercise caution and do thorough research to avoid scams, which are all over the place in this industry (I've been scammed before, unfortunately).
The top thing to do is to make sure your music is of high quality in terms of production, mixing, and mastering. A great song is the foundation of a successful pitch; if the music doesn’t stand out, it won’t matter how well you craft your pitch.
A lot of playlists out here aiming to promote artists, unfortunately need way more promotion themselves. This is especially true of promotion companies that claim to be able to get you placed on great playlists.
I've gotten on tons of playlists that barely got me an extra 2 plays at best from well-known sites like SubmitHub, Musosoup, and Groover. Dig deep and see if the playlists even have enough listeners.
Also, you want to target playlists that align with your music genre and style. Listen to the songs included to understand the curator’s tastes and preferences. Pitching to relevant playlists increases your chances of being added.
Before you start pitching, ensure your artist profile on streaming platforms is fully optimized. This includes having a current bio, high-quality profile and cover photos, and links to your social media. A professional and engaging online presence can influence a curator's decision to include your music in their playlist.
When submitting through platforms like Spotify for Artists, you’re given an opportunity to describe your track. Highlight what makes your song unique and why it’s a good fit for specific playlists. Include any interesting story behind the song or achievements that could make your pitch stand out.
Networking is key in the music industry. Engage with playlist curators on social media, at music industry events, or through direct outreach where appropriate. Building a genuine relationship can increase your chances of future placements.
Curators often look for artists who are active and engaging with their audience. Regularly releasing music not only keeps your existing fans engaged but also increases your chances of being discovered by new ones, including playlist curators.
Consistency in your releases can show curators that you're serious about your career and make them more likely to consider your tracks. It's something plenty of indie artists (including me) need to work on!
If your music is already on streaming platforms, use the available data and analytics to understand your audience better.
Tailor your pitches based on the insights you gain—such as highlighting in your pitch that listeners of a particular playlist also enjoy your music—making your proposal more compelling with data-backed arguments.
Keep track of which playlists you’ve pitched to, the response you received, and any feedback provided. Analyzing what works and what doesn’t can help you refine your approach over time.
The music industry is competitive, and not every pitch will lead to a playlist placement. If your track doesn’t get picked up, continue producing quality music and refining your pitching strategy. Persistence is key, but it’s also important to be patient and respectful in your follow-ups.
It's important to keep in mind that the competition is super fierce these days, and not every submission will make it onto a playlist. Quality of music, relevance to the playlist's theme or genre, and timing can all influence the outcome of a pitch. Just keep pushing!
As a session singer, writer, and producer that has worked with over 300 clients to provide high-quality jingles, singles, and features, Yona spends her time creating and marketing new music and helpful resources for creators. Check out Yona’s latest releases on her Spotify, her Youtube and share if you like it!
If you are in need of singer, songwriter or song producer services, see what Yona Marie can offer you on her services page.
