Dec 18 2023

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How To Get More Followers on Spotify (A Simple Guide)

By David Presley

With millions of tracks available on platforms like Spotify, the challenge lies not only in creating great music but also in ensuring that it reaches the right ears. Playlist pitching has emerged as a potent strategy for independent artists looking to get more followers on Spotify.

Understanding the Power of Playlists

When it comes to Spotify, playlists serve as an integral part of the modern music ecosystem, and comprehending their significance can significantly impact your journey to success.

Why Playlists Matter on Spotify

Visibility and Discovery: Playlists are among the primary ways listeners discover new music on Spotify. They provide a platform for your music to reach a broader audience beyond your existing fan base.
Increased Streaming Numbers: Inclusion in popular playlists can lead to a substantial increase in streaming numbers. The more people listen to your songs, the better your chances of earning royalties and gaining recognition.
Credibility and Validation: Being featured in well-curated playlists can lend credibility to your music. It signals to listeners that your songs are worth their time, which can boost your reputation as an artist.
Algorithmic Recommendations: Spotify’s algorithm takes into account the number of playlist adds, streams, and listener engagement. This data influences the platform’s recommendations, potentially leading to more organic discovery opportunities.

The Impact of Playlist Placement on an Artist’s Success:

Consider playlist placement as a golden ticket to success on Spotify. When your track lands in a prominent position within a playlist, several positive outcomes can follow:

Exponential Exposure: Exposure to a playlist’s existing followers can expose your music to thousands, if not millions, of potential fans.
Increased Follower Count: A popular playlist placement often results in a surge of followers for your artist profile. These followers can become your long-term supporters.
Extended Listening: Your music continues to be heard as long as it remains in the playlist. This prolonged listening can boost your monthly listeners and overall engagement.
Cross-Promotion: Collaborating with influential playlist curators or artists can lead to playlist placements, further amplifying your reach.

The Different Types of Playlists on Spotify

Spotify offers a diverse range of playlists, each with its unique purpose and audience. Understanding these distinctions can help you target the right playlists for your music:

Editorial Playlists: Curated by Spotify’s editorial team, these playlists have significant reach and influence. They include “New Music Friday,” “RapCaviar,” and genre-specific playlists.
User-Generated Playlists: Created by Spotify users, these playlists vary widely in size and style. Some gain substantial followings and can be instrumental in your discovery strategy.
Personal Playlists: These are playlists created by individual users for their personal enjoyment. While they may have a smaller audience, they offer a more personal connection with fans.
Algorithmic Playlists: Spotify’s algorithms create playlists like “Discover Weekly” and “Release Radar” tailored to individual listeners’ preferences.

Factors to Consider

Now that we’ve established the importance of playlist pitching, let’s delve into the factors that can make or break your success in this endeavor.

Quality of Your Music: The foundation of any successful playlist pitch is, of course, your music. It must be of high quality, well-produced, and competitive within its genre. Quality is non-negotiable because curators are looking for songs that enhance the listening experience of their playlist followers.
Research on Relevant Playlists: Not all playlists are created equal, and not all of them will be suitable for your music. Take the time to research and identify playlists that align with your genre, style, and mood. Targeting the right playlists is crucial for a successful pitch.
Building Relationships with Curators: Behind every great playlist is a curator who handpicks the tracks. Building relationships with these curators can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed. Engage with them on social media, share their playlists, and genuinely connect with their musical taste.
Crafting an Engaging Pitch: When reaching out to playlist curators, your pitch should be concise, engaging, and personalized. Explain why your song is a perfect fit for their playlist and how it will enhance the listening experience of their followers.

How to pitch to Spotify playlist curators

So, you’re ready to take the plunge and harness the power of playlist pitching to boost your Spotify following. Let’s break down the process into manageable steps:

1. Preparing Your Music and Profile: Before you even think about reaching out to playlist curators, ensure your Spotify profile is polished to perfection. This includes:

Uploading High-Quality Tracks: Make sure your music is professionally mixed and mastered to sound its best on all devices. Here is a list of the best freelancers to mix and master your music on Fiverr.
Engaging Artist Bio: Craft an engaging and informative artist biography. Let your potential listeners know who you are, your musical journey, and what sets you apart.
Eye-catching Cover Art: First impressions matter. Your cover art should be visually striking and resonate with the essence of your music.

2. Identifying Suitable Playlists: Not all playlists are created equal, and your pitch should be targeted. Follow these steps:

Use Spotify’s Search Function: Look for playlists that match your genre and style.
Explore Curator Profiles: Check out the profiles of playlist creators to find additional playlists they manage.
Leverage Third-Party Tools: Some online platforms and apps can help you discover playlists that align with your music.

3. Contacting Playlist Curators: Now that you have your list of potential playlists, it’s time to reach out:

Find Contact Information: Look for curator contact details, which are often available in playlist descriptions or on their social media profiles.
Craft a Personalized Message: Your initial pitch should be brief, respectful, and tailored to each curator. Mention why your music suits their playlist.

4. Crafting an Effective Pitch: A successful pitch can make all the difference. Here’s how to compose a compelling message:

Introduce Yourself: Start with a friendly greeting and introduce yourself briefly.
Highlight Relevance: Explain why your track is a great fit for their playlist. Reference specific songs or aspects of the playlist that align with your music.
Express Gratitude: Thank them for considering your submission.
Provide Easy Access: Include a direct link to your track and artist profile for their convenience.
Follow Up Politely: If you don’t hear back within a reasonable time frame, consider sending a polite follow-up message.

By following these steps, you’ll increase your chances of making a positive impression on playlist curators and securing valuable playlist placements.

Best websites that offer playlist pitching

When it comes to playlist pitching on Spotify, independent artists face a crucial decision: Should they go the DIY route, opt to hire a professional to help with playlist pitching? Each approach comes with its unique set of benefits and drawbacks, and the choice largely depends on an artist’s resources, expertise, and goals.

DIY Playlist Pitching

The DIY approach to playlist pitching offers a sense of hands-on control that many independent artists find appealing. It allows you to personally curate your pitch and connect with playlist curators, fostering a direct relationship. This approach is often the more budget-friendly option, as it doesn’t involve the costs associated with hiring a professional.

However, the DIY path demands time and effort. Artists need to invest in research to identify suitable playlists, craft compelling pitches, and manage follow-ups. Success in this avenue can also be contingent on your networking skills and the quality of your outreach, which may take some time to develop.

Outsourcing Playlist Pitching

Using experts to handle your playlist pitching can be a game-changer. These experts have established connections with playlist curators and an understanding of what makes a pitch stand out. For artists with limited time or expertise in this area, outsourcing can be a lifesaver.

Nevertheless, outsourcing comes at a cost. These webites and professionals typically charge fees for their services, which may not be feasible for artists on a tight budget. Moreover, relinquishing control of the pitching process means entrusting someone else with the fate of your music, which can be a risk if there’s a lack of alignment with your vision.

Whether you choose the DIY or outsourcing route, getting your music featured on popular playlists can significantly boost your visibility and reach a wider audience.

List of websites that offer playlist pitching:

1. Fiverr

Fiverr is an excellent platform for finding individuals who specialize in writing playlist pitches or submit your music to popular Spotify playlists.

Fiverr’s user-friendly interface allows you to explore the profiles of potential sellers, complete with reviews and ratings from previous clients. This transparency enables you to assess their qualifications and track record before making a decision. Whether you’re looking for someone to write compelling pitches or submit your playlists to influential curators, Fiverr provides a versatile and cost-effective marketplace for these services.

Here is a list to find the best freelancers on Fiverr.

2. Playlistpush

Playlistpush is a platform trusted by more than 25,000 independent and major label artists for promoting their music on Spotify playlists and in TikTok videos.

Users can select specific genres, moods, or playlists that align with their songs, and Playlistpush’s AI handles the rest of the process. Your submission is then delivered to a targeted group of genuine playlist curators for potential inclusion. Throughout your campaign, you will receive responses from these curators, and at the end, you’ll receive comprehensive campaign reports with advanced analytics. It’s worth noting that every curator undergoes a thorough vetting process to ensure their engagement is authentic, their streams are organic, and they thoughtfully review your submission.

Curious about how Playlistpush performs? Read a detailed Playlistpush review to gain insights into the experiences of other users.

3. SoundCampaign

SoundCampaign assists artists worldwide in gaining exposure for their music on curator-curated playlists and offers incentives for curators who discover and promote new music.

This platform helps artists increase their real stream count and grow their fanbase by connecting them with a diverse group of curators. As a result, artists can secure placements for their songs on some of the most popular and active Spotify playlists.

4. Musosoup

Musosoup is a unique platform that links musicians with curators who provide services like radio play, reviews, playlist placements, interviews, and more.

What sets Musosoup apart is its innovative approach to public relations, offering a pay-as-you-go system that ensures cost-effective and easily trackable outcomes. Unlike other PR platforms, Musosoup reverses the typical dynamic by having curators reach out to artists, reducing administrative work and allowing artists to focus on creating their music.

5. Playlist supply

Playlist Supply offer the ability to search specifically for organic playlists with genuine listeners. It also provides a Contact Finder tool to help locate the email addresses of playlist curators and their contact information on social media platforms.

Furthermore, it offers Real Time Search capabilities for swiftly gathering data for your Spotify playlist promotion campaigns. Lastly, Playlist Supply offers Advanced Analysis features, allowing you to access valuable information such as follower counts, contact details of Spotify playlist curators, and the names of playlist owners.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to playlist pitching, independent artists often make several common mistakes that can hinder their efforts to gain more Spotify followers. Recognizing these errors and knowing how to avoid them is crucial for success in the highly competitive music streaming landscape.

Ignoring Playlist Compatibility: One of the most significant mistakes artists make is pitching their music to playlists that are not suitable for their genre or style. For instance, if you’re a folk singer-songwriter, pitching to a hip-hop playlist is unlikely to yield positive results. To avoid this, meticulously research playlists that align with your music’s genre and mood.
Generic Pitching: Sending generic, one-size-fits-all pitch emails is a surefire way to get ignored by playlist curators. Artists often make the mistake of not personalizing their pitches to each curator’s tastes and preferences. Instead, take the time to listen to their playlists, reference their work, and craft personalized pitches that demonstrate your genuine interest.
Neglecting Relationship Building: Building relationships with playlist curators is crucial for long-term success. Many artists make the mistake of treating playlist pitching as a one-time transaction rather than a potential ongoing collaboration. Nurture these relationships by engaging with curators on social media, providing feedback on their playlists, and offering mutual support.
Lack of Patience: Playlist pitching is not a quick-fix solution. Artists often expect instant results and become discouraged when they don’t see an immediate increase in followers. It’s essential to understand that it may take some time before your music gets accepted into playlists and starts generating significant streams.
Disregarding Feedback: When your pitch gets rejected, it’s a missed opportunity to learn and improve. Many artists take rejection personally and fail to seek feedback from curators or fellow musicians. Embrace rejection as a learning experience, gather constructive feedback, and use it to refine your music and pitching strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Navigating the world of playlist pitching can be overwhelming for independent artists, but addressing common questions can provide clarity and guidance.

How do I find the right playlists for my music? Finding suitable playlists involves research. Start by searching for playlists within your genre or mood on Spotify. Analyze their follower count, recent updates, and curator details. Social media platforms and playlist curation websites can also be valuable resources.
What should I include in my pitch? A successful pitch should include a personalized greeting, a brief introduction of your music, why it’s a good fit for the playlist, a link to your song, and a polite request for consideration. Avoid overly long pitches and get straight to the point. Use Fiverr to find people who can write good Spotify playlist pitches.
Is it necessary to have use an expert for playlist pitching? While some artists use dedicated websites, it’s not a necessity. Many independent artists successfully pitch playlists on their own. It depends on your resources and how confident you are in your pitching skills. Consider your budget and goals when deciding.
How long does it take to see results from playlist pitching? Results can vary widely. It may take a few weeks to several months before you notice a significant impact on your Spotify follower count and stream numbers. Be patient and continue pitching while consistently releasing high-quality music.
What if a curator rejects my pitch? Rejections are common and not necessarily a reflection of your music’s quality. If a curator rejects your pitch, thank them for their time and ask for feedback if possible. Use this feedback to improve your pitch and try pitching to other playlists. Persistence is key in playlist pitching.

Conclusion

As an independent artist, your journey on Spotify is not merely about crafting melodies and penning lyrics; it’s about navigating a digital world where playlists have become the gatekeepers to an audience hungry for new sounds. This guide has delved into the intricacies of playlist pitching, providing you with a roadmap to get more followers on Spotify.

Playlist pitching is not a sprint but a marathon, and results may take time to manifest. What matters most is your passion for your craft, your determination to share your art with the world, and your willingness to adapt and learn along the way.

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