Playlisting: Why It Matters
Playlisting: Why It Matters (And How to Do It Right)
In today's digital music landscape, playlisting has become a powerful tool for artists to reach new audiences and boost their visibility. But what exactly is playlisting, and why is it so important?
What is Playlisting?
Playlisting is the practice of getting your music included in curated playlists, whether on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or other music discovery services. These playlists, often organized by genre, mood, or theme, can have massive followings, exposing your music to a large and targeted audience that you might not reach otherwise.
Why is Playlisting Important?
Expanded Reach: Playlisting allows you to tap into existing audiences without having to build them from scratch. Imagine your music being heard by thousands of listeners who already enjoy the genre you create.
Music Discovery: Playlists are a primary way people discover new music. Being featured on a popular playlist can introduce your music to potential fans who might never have found you otherwise.
Testing and Feedback: Playlisting can serve as a valuable testing ground. By analyzing the performance of your tracks on playlists (streams, saves, likes), you can gauge how your music resonates with a wider audience and gather valuable feedback.
Boosting Streams and Visibility: Increased streams and visibility on playlists can lead to algorithmic boosts on streaming platforms, further expanding your reach.
The Pitfalls of Paid Playlisting:
A quick Google search for "Spotify playlists" will inundate you with offers from companies promising guaranteed placements for a fee. However, Spotify explicitly prohibits paying for playlist placements. These services are often scams, using fake streams and bot activity to inflate numbers.
Why Avoid Fake Streams?
While the allure of inflated stream counts might be tempting, fake streams can be detrimental to your career:
Spotify Penalties: Spotify actively cracks down on fake streams and can penalize artists who engage in such practices. While the specifics of these penalties aren't always publicized, they can negatively impact your visibility and potentially even lead to your music being removed from the platform.
Damage to Reputation: Building a genuine fanbase is crucial for long-term success. Fake streams provide a false sense of popularity and can damage your credibility when fans realize the numbers aren't authentic.
Wasted Resources: Paying for fake streams is a waste of money. These streams don't translate into real engagement or fan growth.
Legitimate Playlisting Strategies:
SubmitHub and Similar Platforms: Platforms like SubmitHub allow you to submit your music to playlist curators for a small fee. While there's no guarantee of placement, you often receive feedback on your music, which can be invaluable.
Directly Contacting Curators: Research playlist curators in your genre and reach out to them directly. Personalized emails with a brief introduction and a link to your music are more likely to get a response than generic submissions.
Building Your Own Playlists: Create your own high-quality playlists featuring your music alongside tracks from other artists you admire. This can help attract listeners to your profile and showcase your musical taste.
Engaging with the Playlisting Community: Interact with playlist curators and other artists on social media. Building relationships can increase your chances of getting your music heard.
The Spotify Algorithm and Editorial Playlists:
Getting featured on Spotify's own editorial playlists is the holy grail for many artists. However, these placements are highly competitive and based on a combination of factors, including algorithmic activity, listener engagement, and the curator's subjective taste. There's no guaranteed formula, but focusing on creating high-quality music and building a genuine fanbase is essential.
The Importance of Feedback:
Whether you're submitting your music to curators or receiving feedback through platforms like SubmitHub, pay attention to what people are saying about your music. Constructive criticism can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your craft.
The Path to Playlisting Success:
Like most aspects of the music industry, playlisting success requires a combination of talent, hard work, determination, and a bit of luck. Focus on creating exceptional music, building genuine connections, and being strategic in your approach. While there are no shortcuts, persistence and a commitment to quality will increase your chances of getting your music heard by a wider audience.
