Playlist Pitching
Process of submitting music to streaming platform curators for playlist consideration and promotion.
Definition
Playlist pitching is the strategic process of submitting unreleased music to Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platform editorial teams for inclusion in curated playlists. Artists, managers, and labels submit tracks through official platforms (like Spotify for Artists) along with metadata, artist bio, and campaign information that helps curators understand the music and its audience.
Successful playlist pitching requires understanding each platform's submission process, optimal timing (typically 1-4 weeks before release), and how to position music within genre categories. It involves crafting compelling pitches that highlight what makes the song playlist-worthy—whether it's a fresh sound, strong streaming performance on previous releases, or alignment with current trends. Major playlist placements can generate millions of streams and significantly impact an artist's career.
Why It Matters
Playlist placement is the single most important factor in streaming success. A spot on a major editorial playlist like Spotify's "New Music Friday" or Apple's "Breaking Pop" can generate 500,000+ streams in the first week—more exposure than most independent artists get in a year.
For emerging artists, playlist inclusion is discovery—the way new fans find music. Algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar are seeded by editorial playlist performance. Getting on one curated playlist can create a snowball effect that feeds algorithmic recommendations, leading to sustained streaming growth.
The playlist economy has changed how music is marketed. Traditional radio promotion costs can exceed $50,000 per song, while playlist pitching through official channels is free. This democratizes music promotion, giving independent artists a fighting chance to reach massive audiences without major label budgets.
Examples in Practice
An independent R&B artist submits an unreleased single to Spotify's editorial team four weeks before release, including information about her growing local fanbase and previous streaming performance. The track is added to "Fresh R&B" with 200,000 followers, generating 150,000 streams in the first week and triggering inclusion in algorithmic playlists that drive 1 million total streams in the first month.
A pop-rock band working with a digital marketing agency pitches their single to multiple streaming platforms simultaneously. While Spotify passes, Apple Music adds it to "Breaking Rock," and Amazon Music includes it in "Rock Rising." The combined playlist exposure generates 400,000 streams and catches the attention of booking agents and festival promoters.
A producer releases a lo-fi hip-hop instrumental and pitches it to Spotify's chill/study playlist curators. The track is added to "Lo-Fi Beats" which has 7 million followers, generating consistent daily streams that result in $15,000 in royalties over six months—all from a single playlist placement on a song that cost $500 to produce.