6 Tips To Get Playlisted On Streaming Platforms

In the age of streaming, playlists have become the new way for listeners to find music. So as an up and coming artist, you might wonder what you can do in order to get onto these playlists. There is no guaranteed way to do it, but following these steps will definitely help. Let's get into it.

1. Get your music onto Apple Music and Spotify

This is the most obvious step to start with but someone out there might not know how to actually get their music onto these streaming services. As an independent artist, you will have to use what's called a distribution service to get your music onto official streaming services. Distribution services usually charge per year and most are in and around the same cost per year depending on the package you go with. Some popular streaming services include:

• Distrokid
• Ditto
• amuse

If you want more information on the benefits and costs of the above distribution services then you should click here to check out which one offers the best value for you. 

2. Become a verified artist

Now that you have found a way to upload your music to streaming platforms, you will need to start making your profile look professional. A verified checkmark next to your name separates you from other user profiles on these streaming services. 

It's also important to update your bio and give it some meat. This is your opportunity to give listeners an opportunity to get to know you a bit and please, I beg, add links to your social media where possible. If Nasty C isn't too big to do it then neither are you. Make it easy for people to find you online. 

3. Submit your music for playlisting

Spotify has a beta feature that allows you to submit one unreleased song for playlisting. Of course, you won't be able to get access to this feature unless you have a verified artist account:). Something else I suggest is to submit your song to smaller blogs and publications for playlist consideration. This will help you get those early streams to get you off the ground. A big part of playlists and getting streams is relationship building. So repost other blogs articles, comment on social media, like and comment on other people general posts. Use social media to connect with people on a genuine level. Please don't ask your small group of friends to repost your song and get upset if they don't do it. The point of social media is to connect with people, so support other like-minded people and chances are you'll receive the same energy. 

4. Clean up your social media

So you say you are an artist but your social media page doesn't say that to people. You don't have to have super professional photos but your social media profile needs to reflect that you are an artist and you are serious about yourself as a brand. The people in charge of playlisting look for things like consistency and professionalism on social media when they choose who to playlist. You might find curators are monitoring your page and music because you have a bit of a buzz, but you disappear from time to time and maybe some inappropriate posts. Cut down on that. 

5. Approach Blogs 

There are so many smaller blogs and content creators that you could approach to cover your music and conduct interviews. Here are a few you should check out outside of the already recognised ones. 

• Houseofsoul
• Aries Online
• The Best Secret Podcast
• Pinnacle Pop
• All That Yazz
• The NDL Show
• Culture Collector
• Voice Mag
• Plugged World
• No Hidden Agenda Podcast
• Breakroom Africa
• Ambush Ent
• Virtuoso Podcast

6. Approach Playlist Curators

Be creative in how you approach playlist curators. They receive endless amounts of emails and dm's saying the same thing in the same way. If you host a live streaming event, send them an invite. if you are going to host an event, invite them. Do something that will get them into a space where they can get to know who you are as an artist.

There is no magic formula to get you playlisted or to make you succeed but hard work and consistency are a good place to start.