Spotify has become the go-to platform for discovering new music, with millions of users streaming their favorite songs and artists every day. However, for independent artists and musicians, getting their music heard on Spotify can be a real challenge. With so many songs being submitted to playlists every day, it can be difficult to stand out and get noticed.
In this post, we’ll take a look at why Spotify playlist curators are ignoring your submissions, and what you can do to increase your chances of getting your music heard.
Why should you focus on getting added to independent playlists?
The first thing to understand is that there are two types of Spotify curators: editorial and independent. Editorial curators are the ones that you’re probably familiar with – they’re the ones that work for Spotify and are responsible for curating the platform’s official playlists. Independent curators, on the other hand, are human users just like you and me. They curate their own playlists and have a following on Spotify.
Editorial curators look for certain signals when choosing which songs to add to their playlists. They look at things like stream numbers, saves, shares, and the playlists that a song is being added to. If a song is getting a lot of attention and is being added to a lot of playlists, editorial curators are more likely to take notice and consider adding it to their own playlists.
How can I get my music on Spotify’s editorial playlists?
Independent curators, on the other hand, are more likely to be open to submissions from independent artists. They’re not looking for the same signals as editorial curators and are more likely to be swayed by a well-written pitch or a personal connection. You can contact independent curators through email, SMS, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms.
So, how do you get your music on editorial playlists? The key is to trigger the algorithm. Spotify’s editorial team is more likely to take notice of a song that is getting a lot of attention and is being added to a lot of playlists. To do this, you need to reach out to a lot of playlisters and curators with a massive following, even if they don’t have a massive following themselves. Even if a playlist only has 100 likes, it’s still worth reaching out to the curator and pitching your music.
Why is it Hard for Independent Musicians to Get on Spotify Playlists?
It’s also important to pitch your music to the relevant playlists – the ones that sound like your music. This will help Spotify’s editorial team get a better understanding of who you are and what your music sounds like. It might take some time, and you might not get on an editorial playlist with your first or second release, but if you keep at it, you’ll eventually get there.
In conclusion, getting your music heard on Spotify can be a real challenge for independent artists and musicians. However, by understanding the different types of curators and how they work, you can increase your chances of getting your music on editorial and independent playlists. Remember to trigger the algorithm, reach out to a lot of curators, and pitch your music to the relevant playlists. Good luck!