Introduction
Playlisting is one of the newest but most difficult parts of artist marketing. Independent, top Spotify playlist curators can singlehandedly get a song 10,000 streams per month, but they often aren’t accepting submissions that allow for emerging talent to shine.
TREND is aware of the issues in the current playlisting landscape, and we’ve found ways to circumnavigate them. With our cutting-edge playlist marketing strategies, we’ve been able to find untapped markets for our artists.
Feel free to contact us if you’re interested in a playlisting campaign that grows your Spotify streams organically, improving your performance and developing a real, tangible audience.
TL;DR – How to Find Spotify Playlist Curators
The first step you need to take is to check Spotify for Artists. That will help you understand whether or not any specific playlists are generating streams for you.
What Makes a Playlist Curator Worth Pitching?
Tip: If a playlist curator asks for a payment, you should ignore them. It goes against Spotify’s rules to pay for playlist platforming, and it could result in your Spotify Artist account being deactivated.
How to Find Spotify Playlist Curators
It’s important to know the different types of Spotify playlists so that you’re looking for the right Spotify curators.
- Spotify Editorial Playlists: These playlists are curated by Spotify and can be very difficult to get on. Landing a spot often comes down to timing and a bit of luck. Smaller, niche editorial playlists are somewhat more accessible, but high-profile playlists like Fresh Finds or Lorem are usually out of reach for most emerging artists. That said, it’s still worth trying, as placement on these playlists can generate significant streaming numbers.
- Audience / User Playlists: These are playlists created by fans and regular listeners. They are generally more accessible, so this is where you should focus most of your efforts. Finding and pitching to these curators can take some research, as contact information isn’t always easy to locate—but it’s usually possible and well worth the effort. Spotify’s curators do notice Audience / User playlists, meaning that placement on these hand-created lists can actually help you get into Spotify’s editorial selections.
- Bot Playlists: These playlists often have large follower counts but do not provide meaningful engagement. Avoid pitching to them, as streams from bot playlists are not genuine. Additionally, Spotify editors monitor these playlists and may flag artists who appear on them. Violating Spotify’s rules can have serious consequences, and bot playlists can create pitfalls that are best avoided.
Once you’ve identified audience playlists to pitch, you’ll need to track down the curator’s contact information. Some curators include their photo and full name in their profile, which can help you locate their social media. Others may provide an email address for direct pitching.
Tips for Building Your Spotify Playlist Curators Contact List
It will take time to develop your Spotify playlist curator contact list, but it’s a worthwhile endeavor. It’s a process that often takes looking at one playlist at a time.
There are platforms that can help you navigate playlists, such as SubmitHub, Soundplate, and Playlist Push. While we don’t recommend using Playlist Push and instead doing manual research, there are times when it’s useful to use SubmitHub and Soundplate.
Best Practices for Contacting Spotify Playlist Curators
The manual way of looking for Spotify playlists to pitch to is one of the best ways to go. Just create a spreadsheet and track the Spotify playlists that you pitch to. It can be quite arduous, but there are tools to make it easier. You can find a variety of playlists within your genre and pitch those, working your way through your genre and mood by searching on Spotify and other platforms.
Tired of the Outreach? Let TREND Do the Pitching
One of TREND’s most popular services is Spotify pitching, and for good reason. We’ve generated lists of hundreds of playlists that we regularly pitch. We’ve generated thousands of streams for our artists from real listeners in the U.S and U.K. by finding the right audience playlists to pitch.
It can be incredibly difficult to find audience playlists to reach out to, as Spotify doesn’t make it easy to associate Spotify pages with tangible contact information. Luckily, we’ve done the legwork for you and are always free to connect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let’s get into some frequently asked questions.
Should I Only Pitch to Playlist Curators in My Genre?
Generally, we recommend pitching within your genre to ensure that you’re making the most of your time and energy. Playlist curators often reject singles if they’re even tangentially unrelated to the vibes they’re curating. Some curators are less specific, but there are many that stick to more niche genres and will not veer outside of their niche.
Some playlists aren’t curated toward genre, but rather energies, moods, or environments. In that regard, it’s okay to pitch a playlist if you fit the mood or energy that they’re trying to curate.
Can I Pay to Get on Spotify Playlists?
You should not pay to get on Spotify playlists. That’s because Spotify can ban your account if it discovers that you’re paying to get onto these platforms.
When Should I Start Playlist Outreach for a New Song?
Playlist outreach can begin 2–4 weeks before a single’s release, but for Spotify’s editorial playlists, it’s best to submit at least 4 weeks in advance, if not longer. Many audience playlist curators and Spotify editors plan their releases several weeks ahead, so pitching early increases the chances your song gains traction.
At Trend, we follow a 6-week release cycle, which means you can start working on playlist coverage up to 6 weeks before release.
Are Playlist Pitching Services Worth It?
The impact of playlisting services can vary depending on the platform. Some services automatically submit your music to playlists with bot listeners or audiences outside your target region.
That’s one reason why TREND focuses so much on playlists that specifically match our clients’ needs, region, and target audience. We understand the importance of natural, organic growth, so we look for playlist opportunities that are especially designed to help artists develop tangible relationships with their new audiences. If you’re not looking to invest in a manual spreadsheet and personally pitch yourself to playlists on Spotify or other platforms, you may want to consider a playlisting service, as long as that service accurately assesses your needs as a client.
Conclusion
Playlisting has shaped the music industry for emerging artists, oftentimes pushing them into markets and generating Spotify streams that lead to record deals or deep recognition.
TREND is fundamentally aware of how important playlisting has become, so we’ve curated a tight-knit strategy to ensure our artists get on the right track.
Contact us today if you want to uplift your career.
