Getting your music featured in blogs and playlists can significantly boost your exposure, increase your streams, and expand your fanbase. However, with countless artists vying for attention, it’s important to approach this strategically. Whether you’re looking to land on influential music blogs or get added to a Spotify playlist, there are steps you can take to improve your chances of being noticed. Here’s a guide on how to get featured in music blogs and playlists and make the most of these opportunities.
1. Create High-Quality Music and Presentation
Before reaching out to blogs or playlist curators, the most important step is to ensure that your music is top-notch. High-quality production, well-written songs, and a professional presentation are essential.
- Polished Tracks: Make sure your music is properly mixed and mastered. Bloggers and playlist curators receive hundreds of submissions, so your track needs to stand out both in terms of quality and originality.
- Engaging Artwork: Your cover art and visual branding are key components of your submission. Strong visuals can help grab attention, especially when playlist curators are looking to feature a track on a playlist.
- Professional Presentation: Make sure everything about your release, from your bio to your press kit, is professionally prepared. A well-written bio and a clean, easy-to-navigate electronic press kit (EPK) can make all the difference.
2. Build a Strong Online Presence
Before bloggers and curators decide to feature you, they will likely check out your social media, website, and other digital platforms to get a sense of your brand and fan engagement. A strong online presence adds credibility and shows that you are serious about your music career.
- Active Social Media: Stay engaged on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook. Show that you have a dedicated fanbase by regularly posting, sharing content, and interacting with your audience.
- Music Platforms: Make sure your profiles on DSPs (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) are optimized. Complete your artist profiles, update your images, and write a compelling bio. Show curators and bloggers that you’re putting effort into your digital presence.
- Website and EPK: Having a professional website and an updated Electronic Press Kit (EPK) makes it easier for bloggers and curators to access your music, visuals, and press materials. Include links to your social media, streaming platforms, and any noteworthy press coverage you’ve already received.
3. Research the Right Blogs and Playlists
Not every blog or playlist will be a good fit for your music. Research is key to targeting the right curators who feature music in your genre or style. Focus on blogs and playlists that align with your sound and cater to your target audience.
Finding the Right Blogs:
- Start with Niche Blogs: While landing on big-name blogs is great, smaller, niche music blogs are often more accessible to emerging artists. Look for blogs that specialize in your genre or cater to your type of audience.
- Check Out Similar Artists: Look at where similar artists are being featured. What blogs are covering them? What playlists are they getting added to? This can give you a list of blogs and curators that are more likely to accept your submission.
- Music Blog Directories: Use directories like SubmitHub, IndieMono, or Hype Machine to discover blogs that are accepting submissions. These platforms allow you to submit music to multiple outlets at once.
Finding the Right Playlists:
- Curated Playlists on Spotify: Search for independent Spotify playlists in your genre. You can use tools like Chartmetric, SpotOnTrack, or Playlist Hunter to find popular user-curated playlists that fit your music.
- Artist-Focused Playlists: Many playlist curators feature unsigned or indie artists. Research independent curators who highlight emerging talent and are more likely to give you a chance.
- Playlists Featuring Similar Artists: Just as with blogs, research where artists similar to you are being featured. This can guide you toward playlist curators who are open to your style of music.
4. Craft a Compelling Pitch
Your pitch is your first impression when reaching out to blogs or playlist curators, so it needs to be well-crafted and engaging. A generic or poorly written pitch will likely be ignored, while a thoughtful, personal one can capture attention.
How to Write a Strong Pitch:
- Keep it Concise: Your pitch should be clear and to the point. Bloggers and curators don’t have time to read long emails. Introduce yourself, briefly describe your music, and explain why it would be a good fit for their blog or playlist.
- Personalize Your Email: Avoid sending mass emails. Instead, personalize your pitch for each blog or curator. Reference something specific about their work—whether it’s a recent post or a particular playlist they’ve curated—to show that you’ve done your research.
- Tell Your Story: While your pitch should be brief, it’s important to include a personal element. Highlight what makes your music or story unique. Whether it’s your background, the inspiration behind the song, or an upcoming tour, give them a reason to be interested in you.
- Include Links: Provide easy access to your music with direct links to streaming platforms, your EPK, and any relevant social media profiles. Don’t attach files directly to your email, as this can clutter inboxes—use streaming links instead.
5. Leverage SubmitHub and Playlist Platforms
SubmitHub is a popular platform that allows you to submit your music directly to blogs, curators, and playlist editors. It streamlines the process of reaching out and provides feedback on your submissions. While it’s a paid service for guaranteed responses, it can be an effective tool for increasing your chances of getting featured.
- SubmitHub: This platform offers access to hundreds of blogs, playlist curators, radio stations, and influencers. You can choose to submit for free (but with a lower chance of a response) or pay for guaranteed feedback within 48 hours.
- IndieMono and Playlists.net: These sites allow you to submit your music to curated Spotify playlists. They cater to a range of genres and focus on emerging artists.
- Playlist Push: This service helps you pitch your music to independent playlist curators. It’s a paid service, but it gives you access to curators who can significantly boost your streams.
6. Engage with the Music Community
Building relationships with bloggers, curators, and other artists can increase your chances of being featured. Rather than just asking for coverage, engage with the community by supporting other artists, commenting on posts, and sharing content from curators or blogs you admire.
- Follow and Support Curators: Follow the bloggers and playlist curators you’re interested in on social media. Engage with their posts and show support by sharing their playlists or blog articles. This builds a relationship and increases the likelihood that they’ll check out your music when you submit.
- Collaborate with Other Artists: Collaborating with other artists can open doors to new playlists and blogs. Artists often share each other’s music, and this cross-promotion can lead to more exposure.
- Network at Events: Attend virtual or in-person industry events, music conferences, or festivals where you can meet bloggers and playlist curators. Building genuine relationships can lead to more organic coverage of your music.
7. Be Patient and Persistent
Getting featured on blogs and playlists takes time and persistence. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results—curators and bloggers are constantly sifting through countless submissions. Keep refining your pitch, improving your music, and building your online presence. Persistence pays off.
Conclusion
Getting your music featured in blogs and playlists can have a powerful impact on your career. By creating high-quality music, researching the right blogs and playlists, crafting personalized pitches, and staying engaged with the community, you can increase your chances of gaining valuable exposure. With persistence and a strategic approach, you can build long-term relationships with curators and bloggers that will help you grow your music career over time.
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