Playlist Pitching Regrets of a Curator
When I first started out in the music world, pitching my music to Spotify’s editorial playlists felt less like a curated opportunity and more like throwing my songs into a black hole. Despite hours spent perfecting every note, hitting that submit button on Spotify for Artists felt like an exercise in futility.
It was only after realizing there was a vast, vibrant world of third-party playlists that I took matters into my own hands, launching a DMing frenzy to pitch my music far and wide. Years later, as I found myself on the receiving end of pitches, I developed a healthy sense of skepticism. I learned that much of the advice passed around by other artists regarding playlist pitching is often misguided.
As an artist turned marketer and curator, I’ve accumulated a few hard-won lessons about navigating the landscape of music promotion. Here are the truths I wish I had known when I was first learning the ropes of playlist pitching.
First and foremost, a personalized pitch is worth far more than a hundred generic ones. It’s easy to customize the curator’s name, but standing out requires adding a layer of genuine relevance. If you can mention an artist or platform that genuinely resonates with the curator’s taste, your message will cut through the noise effortlessly.
The very first sentence of your pitch is critical. Misspelling a name or resorting to vague filler like “hope you’re doing well” can see your message immediately ignored. This is where many brilliant pitches vanish before they ever reach an inbox.
Another game-changer is embracing authenticity. I’ve seen pitches that sound mechanical and stiff, and frankly, they don’t reflect the personality of the music. Before sending anything, read your pitch out loud. Does it sound like something you would actually say? Ditching the stiff template and recording a voice memo is a cheat code: let your voice shine through.
To maximize impact, remember that brevity is king. Curators are drowning in messages, and anything longer than a few compelling sentences often looks like an essay on a mobile screen. Go through your pitch and ruthlessly cut anything that doesn’t advance the core message.
It’s also important to pause before blindly trusting what you see. Not every playlist is worth the time, and some can be detrimental. I encourage taking a detective approach; utilize free tools to check playlist legitimacy and, if something feels fishy, trust your intuition.
Ultimately, the most valuable asset you own is your community. While playlists are a great avenue for discovery, true growth comes from building an audience that actively engages with you. Focus your energy on sparking conversations, sharing stories, and fostering genuine connections. Fans who resonate with your work are far more valuable than chasing placement on a thousand playlists.
If you face silence, remember this: don’t take it personally. The sheer volume of pitches a curator receives makes it impossible to keep up with every request. Keep creating, keep pitching, and focus on building the audience that truly cares about your music.
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