Spotify playlists are a powerful tool for artists looking to grow their audience, boost streams, and gain exposure in today’s competitive music industry. Whether you’re an emerging artist or a seasoned musician, landing a spot on the right playlist can significantly impact your career. 

In this week’s vlog, we’ll explore actionable steps to help you get your music featured on Spotify playlists.

1. Understand Spotify’s Playlist Ecosystem

Spotify offers a range of playlists, broadly categorised into three types:

- Editorial Playlists: Curated by Spotify’s in-house team (e.g., Rap UK, Hot Hits UK). These are highly competitive but can massively amplify your reach.

- Algorithmic Playlists: Personalised playlists like Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mix, which are generated based on listener behaviour and preferences.

- User-Curated Playlists: Created by individual Spotify users or independent curators, these playlists range from niche genres to mainstream collections.

Each type offers unique opportunities, but targeting user-curated and algorithmic playlists is often more achievable for independent artists.

2. Perfect Your Music

Before pitching to playlists, ensure your music is polished and professionally produced. High-quality audio is non-negotiable. Invest in professional mixing and mastering, as playlist curators seek tracks that meet industry standards. The better your song sounds, the higher your chances of getting featured.

3. Build a Spotify Profile That Stands Out

Your Spotify profile acts as your digital storefront. Make sure it’s visually appealing and up-to-date:

- Professional Profile Image: Use high-resolution photos that represent your brand.

- Bio: Write a concise and engaging bio that tells your story. Include notable achievements, recent releases, and future plans.

- Social Links: Link your Instagram, Twitter, and website to help curators and fans learn more about you.

- Artist’s Picks: Pin a playlist or track to your profile to showcase your best work.

4. Release Your Music Strategically

Timing matters when releasing music. To increase your chances of being featured on playlists:

- Schedule Your Release: Upload your track to Spotify via your distributor at least 4 weeks in advance. This gives you enough time to pitch to Spotify for editorial playlists.

- Pitch Through Spotify for Artists: Use the “Pitch a Song” feature to submit your track to Spotify’s editorial team. Highlight the story behind your song, genre, and potential audience.

5. Optimise for Algorithmic Playlists

Spotify’s algorithm favours songs with high engagement, so focus on driving activity in the first few weeks after release:

- Encourage Pre-Saves: Promote pre-saves to signal early interest.

- Drive Streams: Ask your fans to listen to your track on repeat and share it with their networks.

- Engage Fans: Encourage followers to add your song to their personal playlists. This boosts the song’s visibility and signals its popularity to Spotify’s algorithms.

6. Network with Independent Playlist Curators

Independent playlist curators play a significant role in promoting new music. To connect with them:

- Research Playlists: Use platforms like Chartmetric, SubmitHub, or PlaylistPush to identify relevant playlists.

- Engage on Social Media: Many curators are active on Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Build relationships by liking, commenting, and messaging professionally.

- Personalised Outreach: When contacting curators, personalise your message. Include a brief introduction, a link to your song, and a reason why your track fits their playlist.

7. Promote Your Track Beyond Spotify

Playlist curators often evaluate an artist’s overall online presence, so a strong marketing strategy is crucial:

- Social Media Campaigns: Share snippets of your song, behind-the-scenes content, and promotional graphics across platforms.

- Collaborations: Partner with influencers or other artists to amplify your reach.

- Music Blogs: Submit your track to music blogs and online publications to build credibility and gain exposure.

8. Collaborate with Other Artists

Collaborations can introduce your music to a broader audience and improve your chances of playlist placement:

- Feature Established Artists: Collaborate with artists who already have a strong following on Spotify.

- Create Collaborative Playlists: Build playlists with other artists in your genre and share them with your audiences.

9. Track Your Performance

Use Spotify for Artists and third-party tools like Chartmetric or SpotOnTrack to monitor your performance:

- Stream Counts: Track how your song is performing on playlists.

- Demographics: Understand who your listeners are and where they’re located.

- Playlists Featuring Your Song: Identify which playlists are driving the most streams.

Analysing this data will help you refine your strategy for future releases.

10. Stay Consistent

Consistency is key to long-term success. Regularly releasing music, engaging with fans, and networking with curators will increase your chances of landing on playlists over time.

Final Thoughts

Getting on Spotify playlists requires persistence, strategy, and hard work. Focus on creating great music, building your fan base, and leveraging the tools available to you. While the process may take time, the exposure and growth that come with playlist placements are well worth the effort.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to breaking through the noise and making your mark in the music industry. So, keep creating, keep promoting, and most importantly, keep believing in your music. The right playlist is just around the corner!

If you need help recording and releasing your music in 2024 or beyond – get in touch with Tryfan Music and book in a FREE 15-minute discovery call.

You can also download The Recording Artist Toolkit to Learn the 6 Steps to Become a Successful Recording Artist in 2024.