t’s no news that you can rake in massive streams, just by landing a spot on the right playlist.
You’ve also seen artists running Instagram ads, teaming up with influencers, or even getting radio play.
And that makes you wonder, which of these options is a more effective marketing strategy? Should you go all-in on playlists or double down on traditional marketing?
In this article, we want to break it down for you, letting you know:
How each of them works, and the benefits it offers you
Then you can decide which option will give you the desired result for your next release.
Shall we?
First, let’s start with Playlist
This is the dream of every passionate artist, because the benefits are incomparable.
Why do playlists work? Let’s unpack it, one after the other.
✅Massive Exposure to the Right Listeners. This is because playlist listeners are already in “music discovery mode”. That’s a world of difference from social media ads, where you have to fight for attention. If you land on a curated playlist (like Spotify’s Fresh Finds), your song is in front of the exact audience looking for fresh tracks.
✅Boost Your Streams & Make the Algorithm Love You. The more people engage with your song, the better your chances of getting picked up by Spotify’s algorithmic playlists (Discover Weekly, Release Radar). This inevitably leads to even more organic growth.
✅ Zero Upfront. Getting on a playlist (especially organic, user-generated ones) won’t cost you a dime. Unlike ads, there’s no budget required.
But what are the downsides of Playlists?
Okay, you know pros come with cons. So, here are some that come with playlists:
❌No Guarantees. You see, just because you’re on a playlist doesn’t mean listeners will save your song or follow you. Some might even skip it entirely.
❌Short-lived success. Playlist placements aren’t forever. If engagement drops, your song can get removed, and so will the streams.
❌No Control. You don’t decide where your song is placed, how long it stays, or if it even gets noticed. It’s a bit of a gamble.
Now the question on your mind (especially if you’ve been following our previous articles) is, does this mean the playlists aren’t worth the hype?
No, this isn’t the point. Playlists can do all the great things we’ve talked about. But there’s a difference between instant and momentary boost, and a presence that lasts.
But before we go deeper into that, let’s talk about the other strategy:
Traditional Marketing – the long game that builds your brand and keeps the fans asking for more from you.
How does that work, you may ask.
Let’s dig right into the fun stuff:
✅ Real Fan Connection. When people hear your song and like it, they get curious about the person behind it. This is where the engagement comes in. And those social media ads, influencer collabs, and radio play and exposure through interviews are what let you connect directly with potential fans.
✅ Brand Building That Lasts. This almost naturally follows the first benefit (fan connection). Ever wonder how artists like Russ and Chance the Rapper built such die-hard fanbases? It wasn’t just playlist luck. It was consistent marketing, storytelling, and branding.
✅ Targeted Growth. With social media ads, you can target exactly who hears your music. Want to reach indie-rock fans in LA? R&B lovers in London? No problem.
The Challenges?
❌ Takes Money & Effort – Unlike playlist placements, social media ads and influencer campaigns require an upfront investment. If done wrong, they can drain your budget fast.
❌ Slower Stream Growth – Traditional marketing isn’t an overnight numbers boost. It’s about long-term fan-building rather than instant streams.
❌ Crowded Space – Every artist is pushing their music on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Cutting through the noise takes a strong strategy.
So What’s the Winning Formula?
Simple answer: USE BOTH.
Instead of choosing one over the other, smart artists combine playlists with traditional marketing for maximum impact. By smart artists, we mean those who aren’t just looking for one hit song with massive streams, but seeking ways to be around for long.
So, how do you combine them? Let’s walk you through it
🎵 Let Playlists Spark Interest, Then Convert Listeners Into Fans – Land on a playlist? Follow it up with an Instagram ad or influencer shoutout to get those listeners following your page, saving your songs, and diving into your catalog.
🎵 Use Marketing to Get Streams While Growing Your Brand – Ads and influencer campaigns should drive people to your streaming profiles, not just your social pages. More engagement means a higher chance of landing on even more playlists.
🎵 Create a Growth Loop – The more listeners you gain through marketing, the better your odds of playlist placements. The more playlist traction you get, the stronger your paid promotions perform.
So what are we saying in essence? Choosing just one, is limiting. Instead, balance both for success
Playlists are great for exposure, but real career growth comes from building relationships with your audience. Get on playlists to put your music in front of new listeners, then use marketing to turn those listeners into true fans.
Ready to level up your music promotion? Start submitting your tracks for playlist consideration while building a strong marketing strategy. Need help? We’ve got you covered. Let’s get your music heard by the right people today!
