So, you’ve learned how to pitch your tracks to land on playlists. You’ve also learned how to nail your metadata.
Great work.
But there’s a way to make playlists work even harder for you and grow your fanbase exponentially? And that’s by taking matters into your own hands and building your own playlists.
We want to show you how you can curate, promote, and leverage playlists to not only boost your music’s reach but also solidify your brand as an artist.
Shall we?
1. Curate Playlists Featuring Your Tracks (and Others!)
This is fundamental. Creating a playlist is like setting the stage for your music to shine. Include your own tracks alongside songs from similar artists in your genre.
Why does this work, you may ask.
See, when you create a playlist, you’re playing a long game.
If your music is a part of a well-curated playlist, listeners who discover it are likely to associate you with the overall feel of that playlist. That’s a win for both discovery and branding.
Pro Tip: Keep your playlist updated regularly. Swap out tracks every few weeks to keep things fresh and engage returning listeners.
2. Promote Your Playlist Like It’s an Album
Once your playlist is live, your next move is to let the whole world know!
Post it everywhere, including Instagram Stories, TikTok, Twitter, you name it. Let your followers know why they should listen. Maybe it’s a collection of chill tracks for late-night drives, or high-energy hits to get people hyped for the weekend.
But don’t stop there. Tag the artists you’ve included in your playlist. Chances are, some of them will share your playlist with their followers, exposing you to an entirely new audience.
Pro Tip: Consider partnering with influencers or tastemakers to promote your playlist. Their audience trust can give your playlist (and your music) an instant credibility boost.
3. Collaborate with Other Artists
This seems like the previous point, but not exactly. Pay attention.
This time, team up with other musicians to create co-branded playlists. Not only does this make the workload lighter, but it also means you’re tapping into their fanbase as well as your own. It’s a win-win.
For example, if you’re an Afrobeats artist, partner with another Afrobeats musician and create a playlist showcasing both of your work along with tracks you both love. Promote the playlist together and watch as your streams—and your followers—grow.
Pro Tip: Be strategic about who you collaborate with. Choose artists whose style complements yours but doesn’t directly compete. This way, you’re more likely to share fans rather than split them.
4. Track Your Playlist’s Performance
Just like with your own tracks, data is your friend here. Platforms like Spotify for Artists let you track how your playlist is performing. Are certain tracks getting skipped? Are listeners dropping off after a few songs?
Use this information to tweak your playlist and make it even more engaging. The goal is to create a playlist that people not only listen to but save and share with their friends.
5. Keep Experimenting
Building playlists is an ongoing process. Don’t be afraid to experiment with themes, genres, or even moods. Over time, you’ll get a sense of what resonates with your audience and what doesn’t.
And remember, the ultimate goal is to use playlists not just as a tool for discovery but as a way to connect with listeners on a deeper level. When you create a playlist that feels authentic, your fans will notice. Plus they’re likely to stick around for the long haul.
So, go ahead. Build that playlist. Promote it. Collaborate. And most importantly, have fun with it.
