Playlist Pitching Guide
Getting your music on playlists is one of the most effective ways to grow your audience. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Types of Playlists
- Editorial Playlists: Curated by platform editors (Spotify's RapCaviar, Apple Music's A-List, etc.)
- Algorithmic Playlists: Generated by algorithms (Discover Weekly, Release Radar)
- Independent Playlists: Curated by users, influencers, and bloggers
- Label Playlists: Owned and operated by record labels
How to Pitch to Editorial Playlists
- Submit through Spotify for Artists: Use the pitch tool to submit unreleased music
- Submit through Apple Music for Artists: Similar process for Apple Music
- Provide compelling pitch notes: Tell the story behind the song
- Add genre and mood tags: Accurate tagging helps curation
- Include similar artists: Helps editors understand your sound
Optimizing Your Release
- Release on Fridays (global release day)
- Build pre-release momentum with social media
- Engage with your existing fanbase
- Create high-quality promotional materials
- Consider playlist specific mix/master
Independent Playlist Pitching
- Research curators in your genre
- Personalize your pitch emails
- Follow submission guidelines
- Build relationships with curators
- Share your music on SubmitHub, PlaylistPush, etc.
