How Do I Get Playlisted?
How Do I Get Playlisted? Cracking the Code of Digital Music Marketing
Getting playlisted is the holy grail for many digital music creators. In the crowded online landscape, playlists offer a powerful way to reach new audiences and boost your visibility. But how do you actually get your music on those coveted lists? It's a mix of art, science, and a little bit of luck.
Understanding the Playlisting Landscape:
There are countless playlists out there, spanning every genre, subgenre, and mood imaginable. Some have massive followings, reaching hundreds of thousands of listeners weekly, while others cater to niche audiences. The most influential playlists are often curated by major record labels, streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, and influential tastemakers.
Apple Music: The Silent Player:
Apple Music is a major player in the playlisting game, but they keep their curation process closely guarded. Information on how to get playlisted on Apple Music is scarce, and many artists find it challenging to navigate their system.
Spotify: Unveiling the (Somewhat) Mysterious Process:
Spotify, on the other hand, is more transparent about their playlisting approach, at least on the surface. Their blog and artist resources offer some insights into the process. Here's a breakdown of their recommendations and some additional strategies:
1. Spotify for Artists: Your Direct Line:
Spotify for Artists is your primary tool for engaging with the platform. Here's how to use it for playlisting:
Pitching Your Music: When you upload a new track, use the "Music" tab and then "Upcoming Releases" to pitch it directly to Spotify's editorial team. This is your chance to make a compelling case for why your song deserves a spot on their playlists.
Crafting Your Pitch: You have 500 characters to make an impression. Focus on what makes your track unique, any marketing or promotional activities you're planning (including Spotify's own tools like Marquee), and any external network promotion that will drive traffic to Spotify. Mentioning relevant Spotify-managed playlists in your pitch can also be beneficial.
Genre Selection: Choose the most appropriate genre for your music. Spotify's genre categories are crucial for playlist placement.
2. Beyond the Pitch: Building Relationships:
While pitching through Spotify for Artists is essential, it's not the only way to get playlisted. Building relationships with playlist curators is equally important.
Identifying Key Playlists: Research playlists in your genre and identify the curators behind them. Many curators include their contact information in the playlist description.
Personalized Outreach: Reach out to curators with personalized emails, introducing yourself and your music. Include a private streaming link (with downloads enabled if they specify) rather than attaching MP3s.
Building Your Own Playlists: Create your own high-quality playlists featuring your music alongside tracks from other artists you admire. This can attract listeners to your profile and demonstrate your musical taste.
3. The Dark Side of Playlisting: Paid Services and Scams:
Be extremely cautious of services offering guaranteed playlist placements for a fee. These are often scams, using bot-driven playlists and fake engagement to inflate numbers. Spotify actively discourages this practice, and it can even lead to penalties for artists who engage in it.
4. Spotting Fake Playlists:
Use tools like isitagoodplaylist.com to research playlists and check their legitimacy. Look for signs of inauthentic activity, such as suspiciously high follower counts with low engagement.
5. The Power of Persistence:
Getting playlisted takes time, effort, and persistence. Don't get discouraged if your first few pitches don't result in placements. Keep creating great music, refining your marketing strategy, and building relationships with curators.
The Bottom Line: A Combination of Factors
There's no magic formula for getting playlisted. It's a combination of creating high-quality music, strategic pitching, building relationships with curators, and a bit of luck. Focus on what you can control – the quality of your music and your marketing efforts – and the rest will follow. And remember, if one song doesn't get picked up, the next one might be the charm. Keep creating, keep learning, and keep pushing your music forward.
