Strategies for successful playlist submissions

Understanding the playlisting ecosystem

Imagine waking up to find your latest single featured on a popular playlist, and your streams have doubled overnight. This isn't just a dream; it's a potential reality for artists who understand the playlisting ecosystem.

Playlists are broken down into three types. 

• Editorial Playlists: Handpicked by Spotify’s in-house experts, these playlists reflect the platform's human touch. Curated around themes, moods, and events, editorial playlists can significantly boost an artist's visibility.

• Algorithmic Playlists: Powered by Spotify’s sophisticated algorithms, these playlists cater to individual user preferences based on listening history, musical tastes, and behaviour. They offer personalised music recommendations tailored to each listener.

• Third-Party Independent Playlists: Curated by individuals, artists, record labels, and regular users, these playlists are flexible and dynamic. Curators have complete control over the content, allowing them to frequently update and refine their playlists based on themes, genres, or personal preferences.

Third-party playlists deserve your attention. Unlike editorial playlists, where access is limited, or algorithmic playlists, which are driven by data, third-party playlists offer direct contact with curators. This flexibility allows for more personalised and immediate changes to the playlist.

A well-designed playlist marketing campaign can be a game-changer for your music’s performance. When your tracks get onto the right playlists, they can reach new audiences, increase streams, and elevate your profile. 

But how do you ensure your music lands in the right spots? Here’s your step-by-step guide.

So how do you get successful playlist placements? 

1) Step one: Research playlists and curators thoroughly

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” This wisdom holds true for playlist campaigns. Conducting in-depth research on playlists and curators is crucial to achieving your desired results.

Identify relevant playlists: Seek out playlists and curators that align with your music and brand, not forgetting to ensure their audience is relevant to your project and is sufficiently engaged. 

How can you do sufficient research? Playlist submission platforms like DailyPlaylists have access to numerous playlists and curators from across the globe. 

Other platforms like Artist Tools and Isitagoodplaylist give you access to key statistics and insights to help you evaluate playlists and find similar ones. 

If third-party platforms are out of your budget range, many curators can be found on social media. Check out their profiles and take note of their content and followers. Are they posting things that align with your vibe? Do their followers match yours?

2) Step two: Analyse playlists for compatibility 

Once you’ve identified potential playlists, evaluate how well your music fits. 

Listen through some of the songs to gauge the general mood and genres. Check for any red flags such as click farming or bots. You can find more information on how to do that here. 

Plus, on DailyPlaylists, we have a new feature called Vibe Match that can evaluate whether your music is a good fit for a playlist. It analyses the average BPM, modality, and duration of a playlist. It’s pretty cool, you should check it out. 

3) Step three: Craft a compelling playlist pitch

Your strategy will change depending on whether you’re promoting a new release or a catalogue track. 

If you’re promoting a new release, it's good to promote it as soon as possible, preferably before the release date. This way, you’ll give the curator time to see your message and listen to the track before its release. If they like it, you can send them a reminder on the day to add it to their playlist. 

It’s also crucial to define your budget. Understanding exactly what you’re allowing yourself to spend means you can comfortably do so without losing track of your finances. But remember–don’t pay for placements or streams. More on why not here. 

4) Step four: Submit your music with confidence

Once you’ve got everything together, you’re ready to submit. 

You can do this by reaching out over the channels you’ve already researched at the beginning of your strategy. Places like DailyPlaylists, social media, and email. Alternatively, some curators may have a dedicated link or webpage that you can submit through. 

5) Step five: Monitor and optimise your campaign

Like any successful campaign, keeping track of what’s going on is crucial to understanding how to go forward. In other words, what’s working, what’s not, and what to do next.  

Monitor things like:

• Approved playlist placements. Don’t forget to thank the curator.

• The impact of your placements on Spotify for Artists. 

• Relationships with curators. Maintaining relationships could open doors further down the line. 

Plus, make sure to shout about the playlists you’ve been featured on. This will impress your fans and make the curator happy–win, win. 

Navigating the playlisting ecosystem is crucial for any artist looking to amplify their reach and grow their audience. By understanding the different types of playlists and strategically planning your playlist campaign, you can significantly boost your music's visibility and impact. 

Conduct thorough research, craft compelling pitches, and maintain relationships with curators. As you celebrate your playlist successes, continue to refine your strategy and engage with your fans. With persistence and smart planning, mastering the playlisting ecosystem can transform your music career and open doors to new opportunities.