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Playlists, Canvas & Marquee: How your music is discovered on Spotify

Spotify has become one of the most important platforms for musicians to make their music accessible to a global audience. To realize the full potential of the platform, there are several important steps and tools that artists and labels can use. This blog article summarizes the best strategies to be successful on Spotify.

 

1. Claim an artist account & create a proper artist profile

The first step to being successful on Spotify is to claim and optimize your Spotify for Artists account. After claiming your account, you will get access to statistics, tools and customization options for your profile.

Tips for a strong artist profile:

  • Profile picture and header: Use professional and consistent images that reflect your brand.
  • Bio: Create a short, engaging description with relevant information about yourself, your influences and your upcoming projects.
  • Links: Link your social media channels and your website.
  • Playlists: Showcase your favorite music or create themed playlists to connect with fans.

A neat and attractive profile conveys professionalism and builds trust with listeners and curators.

 

2. Track pitching: More reach through curated playlists

Spotify offers artists the opportunity to pitch their music directly to playlist curators. This is done via the Spotify for Artists dashboard.

Best practices for successful pitching:

  • Submit early: pitch new songs at least seven days before release via Spotify for Artists.
  • Give detailed info: Describe the genre, mood and target audience of your track. Use keywords that are relevant for the playlist curators.
  • Identify relevant playlists: Targeted pitching is more effective than a broad approach.

With a good pitch, you increase the chance of being included in curated playlists, which often leads to exponential growth.

 

3. Label claim vs. label verification

For artists released through a label, there are two important options to optimize their presence on Spotify:

  • Label Claim: Labels can request access to artist profiles and statistics to target marketing efforts.
  • Label Verification: A verified label profile shows listeners and partners that the label is official. This increases trust and visibility.

For independent artists working with labels, it is important to understand these steps to ensure clear lines of communication.

4. Spotify Canvas: Visual magic for your music

SpotifyCanvas allows artists to add short, repeating videos to their songs. These clips play in the background when a song is played on mobile devices.

Why is Canvas important?

  • Visual attention: A creative canvas can capture the attention of listeners and be more memorable than a static cover.
  • More streams: Studies show that songs with canvas are more likely to be replayed.
  • Brand building: Use Canvas to emphasize your artistic vision.

 

5. Spotify Marquee: Targeted promotion

Spotify Marquee is a paid marketing tool that allows artists to promote new releases in a targeted way. It appears as a pop-up notification to listeners who have already interacted with your music.

Advantages of Marquee:

  • Precise target group: you reach your most active listeners directly.
  • High conversion rate: Listeners who already like your music will find it easier to click on your new tracks.
  • Efficiency: You invest in an audience that is already interested in you.

 

6. Spotify Clips: Authentic content for listeners

Spotify Clips are short video formats that you can use to tell stories about your songs, give personal insights or promote special events.

Strategies for clips:

  • Share the inspiration behind a song.
  • Promote concerts or merchandise.
  • Interact with your audience in creative ways.

 

7. Showcase: Promote your highlights

With Spotify Showcase, you can present selected songs or albums in a prominent position in the app. This feature helps you to push specific releases and encourage listeners to delve deeper into your discography.

Benefit: Showcase is particularly effective for bringing older songs or hidden treasures in your catalog back into the spotlight.

 

8. Discovery Mode: The power of algorithm playlists

Discovery Mode is another powerful tool that allows you to place your music in algorithm-driven playlists such as "Radio" and "Autoplay". You voluntarily reduce your license fee for streams from these playlists, but increase your reach.

When is Discovery Mode worthwhile?

  • For new artists who want to build up their listener base.
  • If you have a particularly catchy song that could appeal to a wide audience.

 

Now is the time to take your Spotify career into your own hands! Use the tools and strategies outlined to promote your music and reach a wider audience. Start today with an optimized artist profile, pitch your next song and experiment with features like Canvas and Marquee. Each of these measures will bring you one step closer to more streams, loyal fans and lasting success on Spotify. What are you waiting for? Log in, put these tips into practice and make your music unforgettable!

Start your music label now and get access to all tools.