Getting your music featured on genre-specific playlists can significantly increase your visibility and streaming numbers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve that:
1. Prepare Your Music for Playlist Submission
- Quality Production: Ensure your music is professionally recorded, mixed, and mastered. Playlist curators want high-quality tracks that fit well alongside other songs.
- Right Genre Tagging: Correctly categorize your music by genre. This ensures it reaches curators and listeners who are looking for specific styles.
- Compelling Artwork and Branding: Professional cover art and a consistent brand image make a positive impression on curators.
2. Distribute Through a Streaming Platform
- Use services like Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, or YouTube Music to submit your tracks to streaming platforms.
- Choose an established digital distributor (e.g., DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby) to release your music. Some distributors offer playlist pitching services as part of their package.
3. Submit to Editorial Playlists
- Spotify for Artists allows you to submit your music directly to Spotify’s editorial team for playlist consideration. You can only submit unreleased tracks, so plan ahead.
- Apple Music Connect and YouTube for Artists also have opportunities to submit music directly for consideration by their editorial teams.
- Pitching Tips:
- Submit early: At least 2–3 weeks before your release date.
- Provide detailed descriptions: Explain your genre, vibe, inspiration, and the target audience. Be specific about where your song fits genre-wise.
- Highlight your promotion efforts: Mention any PR or marketing campaigns you’re running, as curators want to support songs with buzz.
4. Reach Out to Independent Playlist Curators
- Many genre-specific playlists are managed by independent curators. Use platforms like:
- SubmitHub: This platform connects you to playlist curators, bloggers, and influencers. It allows you to submit your music for feedback and playlist consideration.
- PlaylistPush: A service that helps you promote your song to curators who are open to including tracks in their playlists.
- Soundplate: A website where you can find and submit your tracks to various Spotify playlists.
- Direct Outreach: Search for popular genre-specific playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, or other platforms, and find the contact information of curators. Many curators list their social media handles or contact emails in the playlist description.
- Engage with Curators: Follow curators on social media, engage with their content, and build a relationship before pitching your music.
5. Leverage Playlist Placement Services
Some services can help you gain access to playlists for a fee. While this can help, be cautious and ensure the service is reputable. Some legit playlisting services include:
- Indiemono
- Daily Playlists
- Playlist Supply (a research tool that helps you find active playlist curators)
6. Promote Your Music to Build Organic Traction
- Social Media Engagement: Build a fanbase by sharing your music across platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter) and encouraging fans to save and share your songs.
- Collaborations and Features: Collaborating with other artists in your genre can get you featured on their playlists and expose you to their audience.
- Targeted Ads: Use Facebook and Instagram ads to promote your music to fans of your genre. Increased engagement might catch the eye of playlist curators.
7. Consider Niche Platforms
- For specific genres (like EDM, indie, or country), look into niche platforms like Hype Machine or Amazing Radio, where genre-based playlists are highly influential.
8. Be Consistent and Persistent
- Regularly release new music and pitch to playlists each time. A steady stream of releases keeps you relevant and increases your chances of being added to multiple playlists.
- Follow up with curators, but don’t spam them. A polite, well-timed message can make a difference.
9. Collaborate with Influencers
- TikTok and Instagram influencers can drive significant traffic to your songs, which could increase your chances of playlisting as your track gains popularity.
By combining these methods, you’ll maximize your chances of landing on genre-specific playlists and expanding your reach as an artist.
