Landing a spot on a Spotify editorial playlist can be a game-changer for any artist, providing the opportunity to reach millions of listeners worldwide. These playlists are curated by Spotify’s editorial team and can dramatically increase your streams, boost your visibility, and grow your fanbase.

This post will introduce you to Spotify editorial playlists, explaining why they are so important for music promotion. This guide will provide detailed steps on how to get on Spotify editorial playlists, helping you navigate the submission process and increase your chances of being featured. You’ll also learn how to pitch your music effectively, with step-by-step guidance and tips to improve your chances of getting featured.

What are Spotify Editorial Playlists?

Spotify's editorial playlists are curated by Spotify’s in-house editorial team, unlike algorithmic playlists (such as Discover Weekly) and user-generated playlists. These playlists feature tracks selected by music experts who regularly update them to showcase trending, emerging, and popular songs across various genres.

Why They Matter

Landing a spot on an editorial playlist gives you exposure to millions of listeners, opening the door to exponential growth in streams and followers. Being featured on popular Spotify playlists can significantly boost your visibility and streams, making it a crucial strategy for artists. Additionally, being featured on these playlists can help trigger Spotify’s algorithm, increasing the chances of your track being picked up by other playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar.

Requirements for Pitching to Spotify Editorial Playlists

There are two ways to pitch to Spotify’s Editorial Playlists through the Spotify editorial playlist submission process. One, directly via the Spotify for Artists account. Two, via your distributor, like Unchained Music, that has relationships with the editorial curators directly.

Spotify for Artists Account

To pitch your music to editorial playlists, you need to have a Spotify for Artists account. Your Spotify artist page should be complete and engaging, as it plays a crucial role in attracting listeners and playlist placements. Ensure your artist profile is verified, complete with an up-to-date bio, images, and links. If you don’t already have an account, sign up via Spotify for Artists, where you can access important insights and the playlist pitching tool.

Upcoming Release

Spotify only allows pitches for unreleased tracks, so make sure to schedule your release in advance. You must submit your pitch at least 7 days before the release date to be considered for editorial playlists, giving the Spotify editorial team time to review your track.

Preparing Your Music for Submission

Before submitting your music to Spotify editorial playlists, it’s essential to prepare your music and profile to increase your chances of getting featured. Here are some steps to help you optimize your music for submission:

How to Pitch to Spotify Editorial Playlists (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1: Upload Your Music to Spotify

Start by uploading your track to Spotify through a distribution service such as DistroKid, TuneCore, or Unchained Music. The Spotify platform is essential for music promotion and artist success, making it important to upload your music correctly. Make sure to set your release date far enough in advance to allow for pitching to editorial playlists, ideally a few weeks before the scheduled release date.

Optimize Your Spotify Profile

1. Verify your Spotify for Artists account: This will give you access to Spotify’s analytics and allow you to pitch your music directly to Spotify’s editorial team.
2. Complete your artist profile: Make sure your profile is up-to-date and includes a profile picture, bio, and header image.
3. Add high-quality music: Ensure that your music is of high quality and meets Spotify’s technical requirements.
4. Use relevant keywords: Use relevant keywords in your song titles, descriptions, and tags to help Spotify’s algorithm understand your music.
5. Create a consistent brand: Establish a consistent brand across all your social media platforms to build recognition and credibility.

Step 2: Log in to Spotify for Artists

After your track is uploaded, log in to Spotify for Artists to access the playlist pitching feature. If you don’t have an account, you can easily sign up and get your artist profile verified.

Step 3: Select the Track to Pitch

Go to the "Music" tab in Spotify for Artists, then navigate to the "Upcoming" section to find your unreleased tracks. Select the track you want to pitch for editorial playlist consideration.

Step 4: Fill Out the Pitch Submission Form

• Genre and Subgenre: Be accurate when choosing the genre and subgenre, as this helps the editorial team categorize your song correctly. Spotify curators play a key role in selecting tracks for editorial playlists, so providing accurate information is crucial.
• Mood and Style: Select descriptors like “chill” or “energetic” to help convey the overall vibe of your track.
• Instruments and Language: Include key information about any prominent instruments and specify the language of the lyrics to give editors more context about your music.

Step 5: Write a Compelling Description

• Story Behind the Song: Share the inspiration or backstory of the track, which can help editors form a deeper connection with your music. Spotify playlist curators look for compelling stories and marketing plans when selecting tracks for playlists.
• Marketing Plan: Detail any promotional efforts such as social media campaigns, press coverage, or collaborations you’ll use to support the release.
• Audience Fit: Suggest which editorial playlists your track would fit into and why, based on the song’s genre, style, and audience. This shows that you’ve done your research and know your target market.

Best Practices for Writing Your Playlist Pitch

Be Concise and Specific

Editors review thousands of pitches, so it’s important to keep your description clear and to the point. Focus on essential details and avoid unnecessary fluff to ensure your pitch is easily understood and impactful.

Highlight the Unique Aspects of Your Track

Emphasize what makes your song stand out. Whether it’s a distinctive feature, a high-profile collaboration, or an intriguing backstory, showcasing the uniqueness of your track can make it more memorable to the editors.

Align Your Pitch with the Playlist

Do your research on Spotify editorial playlists within your genre and mention specific playlists that align with your track’s style, audience, and mood. Understanding the different types of Spotify playlists can help you tailor your pitch more effectively. This shows editors that you’ve done your homework and know where your song belongs.

Timing and Strategy for Playlist Pitches

Submit Early

To increase your chances of being considered, submit your pitch as early as possible—ideally at least 7 days before the release date. Early submissions give the editorial team ample time to review your track.

Pitch Every Release

Consistency is key when pitching to editorial playlists. Ensure you pitch for every release, even if you didn’t land a spot on a previous playlist. The more consistently you pitch, the better your chances of being noticed over time.

Avoid Overloading

Rather than pitching multiple songs from the same release, focus on your strongest track. Focusing on your strongest track can help the Spotify algorithm recognize its potential and increase its chances of being featured. This allows you to put your best foot forward and increases your chances of getting placed on an editorial playlist.

Building Relationships and Promoting Your Music

Building relationships with Spotify playlist editors, curators, and other industry professionals can help increase your chances of getting featured on editorial playlists. Here are some ways to build relationships and promote your music:

Networking and Collaboration

1. Attend music industry events: Attend concerts, festivals, and conferences to network with other musicians, promoters, and industry professionals.
2. Collaborate with other artists: Collaborate with other artists to reach new audiences and build relationships with other musicians.
3. Join online music communities: Join online music communities, such as Facebook groups and Reddit forums, to connect with other musicians and industry professionals.
4. Reach out to playlist curators: Research and reach out to playlist curators who have featured similar artists to yours.
5. Offer exclusive content: Offer exclusive content, such as remixes or acoustic versions, to playlist curators to incentivize them to feature your music.

Promoting Your Music on Social Media

1. Use social media to promote your music: Use social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, to promote your music and engage with your audience.
2. Share behind-the-scenes content: Share behind-the-scenes content, such as studio sessions and songwriting processes, to give your audience a glimpse into your creative process.
3. Run social media ads: Run social media ads to reach new audiences and promote your music to specific demographics.
4. Engage with your audience: Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages, and asking for feedback on your music.
5. Share user-generated content: Share user-generated content, such as fan art and cover songs, to encourage engagement and build a loyal fanbase.

By following these steps, you can increase your chances of getting featured on Spotify editorial playlists and build a loyal fanbase. Remember to always follow Spotify’s guidelines and terms of service when promoting your music.

What Happens After You Submit Your Pitch?

What to Expect

Once you submit your pitch, the editorial team reviews it, but you won’t receive any direct feedback. If your song is selected, you’ll see it placed on an editorial playlist, but if not, there won’t be any notification.

How to Track Progress

After your release, monitor your song’s performance using Spotify for Artists. Keep an eye on streams, saves, and playlist additions to check if your track has been added to any editorial playlists. Tracking this data will help you understand how well your music is resonating with listeners.

Editorial Playlists vs. Algorithmic Playlists

Even if your song doesn’t get placed on an editorial playlist, a successful release can still trigger placement on Spotify's algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly or Release Radar. These playlists are generated based on listener behavior, so strong initial engagement with your track can help.

Additional Tips to Increase Your Chances

Build Your Streaming History

A strong streaming history on Spotify signals to editors that your music resonates with listeners. Focus on growing your fanbase through consistent playlist pitching, social media promotion, and collaborations to enhance your visibility and credibility.

Engage Your Fanbase

The more engagement you generate—through followers, streams, and saves—the more credible you appear as an artist. Actively promote your music on social media, email lists, and live shows to create excitement around your release, which can translate into higher engagement on Spotify.

Pitching via Distributors

Some distribution platforms, like Unchained Music's Pro Plan, provide tools to help you pitch your music to playlist curators and editors. Using these services can improve your chances of playlist placement by providing direct connections to key decision-makers in the streaming world.

Alternatives to Spotify Editorial Playlists

Independent Playlist Pitching

If your song doesn’t land on a Spotify editorial playlist, you can still gain significant exposure by pitching to independent playlist curators. Algorithmic Spotify playlists like Release Radar and Discover Weekly can also play a significant role in promoting your music. Many curators run high-traffic playlists that can help you grow your streams and audience. Platforms like Groover allow you to pitch your track to multiple curators at once, expanding your chances of getting featured.

Create Your Own Playlists

Another effective strategy is to create your own playlists. Include a mix of your tracks and songs from similar artists to organically promote your music. Share these playlists with your fanbase on social media and encourage them to follow and engage. This not only helps boost streams but also strengthens your connection with listeners.

Get on a Spotify Editorial Playlist!

Successfully landing a spot on a Spotify editorial playlist requires preparation. Use Spotify for Artists to pitch unreleased tracks, submit your pitch early, and write a clear, compelling description that highlights what makes your music stand out.

Now that you know the steps, it’s time to start planning your next pitch. Consistency is key, so make sure to submit every new release for editorial playlist consideration and follow the best practices to increase your chances.

Ready to pitch your music to Spotify editorial playlists? Log into Unchained Music's Pro Plan today and start your pitch directly to Spotify's editors.

‍FAQs

Can I pitch multiple tracks at once?

No, Spotify only allows you to pitch one track per release to editorial playlists. If you have multiple songs in a release, choose the strongest one to pitch for the best chance of getting featured.

How far in advance should I submit my pitch?

You should submit your pitch at least 7 days before the release date to give Spotify's editorial team enough time to review your track. The earlier you pitch, the better your chances.

Does getting on an editorial playlist guarantee more streams?

While being featured on an editorial playlist can significantly increase your streams, it’s not a guarantee. The success of your song still depends on how listeners engage with it once it’s placed on the playlist.

What if my song doesn’t get selected for an editorial playlist?

If your song doesn’t make it onto an editorial playlist, there are still other options. Additionally, algorithmic playlists like Music Friday can help increase your song’s visibility and streams. You can pitch to independent playlists, create your own playlist, and focus on promoting your music through social media and other channels.

How long does it take for a song to be considered for editorial playlists?

Once you submit your pitch, the Spotify editorial team reviews it before the release date. While there’s no set timeline, submitting at least 7 days in advance ensures your track has time to be considered.

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