The Playlist Pitch Process – A Behind-the-Scenes Look
You’ve probably heard the advice: “Pitch your song to playlists.” But what does that actually look like behind the scenes? How do songs make it from an artist’s hard drive to the playlists that power millions of streams?
In this post, we’ll walk you through the real-world process of playlist pitching from prepping your release to targeting curators—and explain what happens after the pitch is submitted.
Step 1: Prepping the Track for Submission
Before pitching begins, your music needs to be release-ready, meaning:
- Final mastered audio file
- Proper metadata (song title, artist name, release date)
- Clear genre and mood tags
- Eye-catching cover art
Why It Matters: Curators don’t just listen, they scan your professionalism. If the data’s wrong, your pitch may not even be reviewed.
Step 2: Timing the Pitch
Most DSPs require 2–4 weeks lead time before release day for editorial consideration.
We schedule your distribution early and submit via:
- Spotify for Artists
- Apple Music for Artists
- Direct curator contacts (independent playlists & genre-specific curators)
Step 3: Crafting the Pitch
The pitch is more than just “listen to my song.” It needs to tell a story.
We include:
- Track description: What inspired the song? What’s the vibe?
- Marketing plan: Will there be a video? Any PR or influencer push?
- Target audience: Who will love this track? Similar artists?
- What makes this release special?
Pro Tip: Personalized pitches always beat copy-paste requests.
Step 4: Strategic Targeting
We match the song with:
- Editorial playlists by mood, genre, or language
- Niche user-curated playlists using platforms like SubmitHub or Groover
- Blogs and playlist communities on Discord or Reddit
We track acceptance rates and audience match to optimize targeting over time.
Step 5: Post-Pitch Support
After submission, our team monitors:
- Initial traction (first 48–72 hours)
- Fan saves, shares, and engagement data
- Placement success and curator feedback
This helps us retarget future releases and build relationships with receptive curators.
Final Thoughts
Playlist pitching isn’t luck, it’s process. From submission forms to smart follow-ups, there’s a method to the madness. And when done right, it can push your music into whole new worlds of visibility.
Let us help you navigate the playlist pitching game with intention, clarity, and results.
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