Spotify Playlist Pitch: Guide, Tips, Examples and Best Practices

Aug 1

Maximize Your Music Career with Spotify Playlists

For artists aiming to rise in the music industry, Spotify can be a game-changer. With its extensive range of popular playlists, Spotify offers all musicians a fair shot at playlist placements and exposure to a global audience.

However, beyond optimizing your Spotify artist profile, understanding how to craft the perfect Spotify playlist pitch is essential to get featured by independent playlist curators.

This guide will reveal key strategies for creating a compelling pitch, boosting your visibility, engaging listeners, and advancing your music career.

You'll also discover MRNA Music House, a Spotify promotion service that helps pitch your songs to playlist curators, amplifying your reach, increasing streams, and expanding your fanbase.

So, let's dive in!

The Importance of Spotify Playlists in Music Discovery

Spotify is a vital platform for music enthusiasts to find artists that suit their tastes. With millions of tracks available, the vast catalog can be daunting.

Fortunately, Spotify employs experienced playlist curators whose tastes resonate with their followers, allowing users to find music tailored to their moods, activities, or listening styles more efficiently.

Types of Spotify Playlists

Editorial Playlists

Curated by Spotify's in-house team of music experts, editorial playlists feature hand-picked selections of songs across various genres, moods, activities, and themes, with a focus on new music. These playlists typically have a wider reach and higher listener engagement.

Algorithmic Playlists

Spotify's algorithm generates playlists like Discover Weekly, Daily Mixes, or Release Radar based on users' listening habits, created playlists, and artist interactions. These playlists offer a personalized and dynamic listening experience.

User-Created Playlists

User-created playlists, also known as listener playlists, are central to the music discovery experience on Spotify. These playlists reflect individual users' personal tastes, moods, or specific themes, unlike pre-curated editorial or algorithmic playlists.

Crafting Your Spotify Playlist Pitch

Preparing Your Music

To get your tracks on Spotify playlists, make sure your music stands out to both curators and their followers.

Ensure High-Quality Production

Invest in professional recording or set up a home studio to achieve high-quality production. Pay attention to every aspect of your music, including sound selection, effects, and instrument clarity.

Select the Right Song to Pitch

Evaluate the playlists you're targeting and identify common characteristics in their tracks. Choose your best-performing songs, whether they have excelled live, financially, or received positive social media feedback.

Ensure Professional Mixing and Mastering

A high-quality mix balances instrument levels, stereo panning, tonal balance via EQ, and dynamic control through compression. Mastering ensures the song sounds polished across different playback systems.

Create Clean Versions

Produce clean versions of your songs by removing explicit lyrics or substituting them with alternative phrases. This broadens your track's appeal and increases placement opportunities.

Writing Your Pitch

Even with a high-quality track, your presentation can significantly influence the outcome. Here's how to do it right.

Compelling Opening Line

Start with an intriguing fact, such as the number of plays your track has garnered or an interesting backstory about its creation.

Example: "I am thrilled to share my new single, which hit [X] streams within its first month."

Define Your Genre and Sound Clearly

Use precise descriptions when discussing your music's sound, even when mixing genres, to highlight your originality.

Example: "This track blends indie rock and electronic pop, evoking 80s nostalgia with a modern twist."

Personalize Pitches for Each Playlist

Explain to curators how your track can enhance their playlists and attract more followers. Show you understand the playlist's genre and how your song fits.

Example: "After enjoying the vibrant energy of [Playlist Name], I believe my track, with its catchy lyrics and upbeat rhythm, would be a perfect fit."

Use Storytelling

Add a personal touch by sharing the story behind your song, including your inspiration, creative challenges, or the message you wish to convey.

Example: "This song is a heartfelt tribute to a special someone in my life. Overcoming creative hurdles, I crafted something truly meaningful. The song conveys that love conquers all."

What to Include in Your Pitch

Demonstrate your talent, professionalism, and industry knowledge with the following elements:

Concise Artist Bio

Include essential information about your musical journey, milestones, upcoming releases, tours, or new musical directions. Highlight unique aspects of your style or key moments that shaped your sound.

Direct Links to Your Music

Make it easy for curators to review your track by providing direct links to your song and Spotify artist profile. Organize these links neatly after a summary and clear call to action.

Press, Radio Play, and Achievements

Mention any notable press coverage, radio play, or achievements. Such recognition can enhance your credibility and make your pitch more compelling.

Marketing Efforts

Highlight ongoing marketing efforts, such as social media campaigns, music videos, and collaborations. If pitching an unreleased song, include the release date for proper planning.

Successful Spotify Pitch Examples and Best Practices

Here are some examples of successful Spotify pitches:

"Criminal" by Storm Orchestra
"Cul de Sac" by Houndtrack
"Superficial" by Victor Mechanick
"Ritual Two" by Handbook
"Hope" by Kazuki Isogai & Yuhei Miura

These examples follow best practices and use effective storytelling to convey their unique sound, making them attractive to curators.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Lengthy introductions: Keep it concise.
Information overload: Focus on key points.
Irrelevant details: Stay on topic.
Repetition: Avoid redundant information.
Overselling: Be sincere.
Ignoring guidelines: Follow submission rules.
Incomplete submissions: Provide all necessary information.
Late submissions: Submit on time.

Conclusion

Pitching to Spotify playlists requires careful preparation and engaging presentation of your music and brand. If you're looking for an efficient way to get featured on multiple playlists, consider using MRNA Music House. This service helps pitch your songs to curators, giving them a fair chance amid the daily influx of submissions.

Ready to elevate your music career? Let's get started!

Edward Morton

Edward Morton is a passionate music blogger known for his insightful reviews and eclectic taste. With a background in both classical music and modern production, Edward brings a unique perspective to his writing, blending technical knowledge with a deep appreciation for all genres. He started his blog, "Norton's Notes," in 2015, quickly gaining a dedicated following for his honest, detailed critiques and his ability to uncover hidden gems in the music world.

Edward grew up in a musical family in Seattle, where he learned to play the piano and guitar at a young age. His love for music led him to study music theory and composition at the University of Washington. After graduating, he worked as a freelance music producer, which gave him an insider's view of the industry and fueled his desire to share his insights through writing.

Edward's writing is known for its eloquence and depth, often exploring the emotional and cultural contexts of the music he reviews. He is a regular contributor to several well-known music magazines and websites, and his work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and NPR Music.

In addition to his writing, Edward is an avid vinyl collector and hosts a weekly podcast where he interviews musicians and industry insiders. His ability to connect with artists and convey their stories has made his podcast a favorite among music enthusiasts.

Outside of his professional life, Edward enjoys hiking in the Pacific Northwest, attending live concerts, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. His passion for music and his commitment to sharing it with the world continue to inspire his readers and listeners alike.