Note: This article deals with pitching music to 3rd party/unofficial curators on Spotify -- NOT the official editorial playlists curated by Spotify's own staff.
When you have an upcoming release, make sure to also pitch to Spotify's official curation team. Check Proton's guide for that here!
What is 3rd Party Playlist Pitching?
Platforms like SubmitHub help you pitch songs to curators who run popular but unofficial playlists, with the goal of increasing exposure and plays. For an example, check Organic House curated by Art Vibes, which accepts submissions via SubmitHub.
Important: Avoid working with 3rd party playlists that violate Spotify fraud policy, which can get your music removed from Spotify. Learn more about that here. To help minimize the chances of breaking the rules, we recommend platforms like SubmitHub which help vet playlists and make sure they're following the rules.
A 20% discount on SubmitHub is available to music labels powered by Proton. Label managers can contact support@protonradio.com for the hook up!
SubmitHub Guide / How It Works
Upload the Track:
Start the SubmitHub submission process here.
Add the Spotify track link, release date, and upload the MP3/WAV of the track.
Select "Curators" and then select "Premium".
Fill in details like similar artists, genres, and moods (optional).
Configure feedback and communication settings.
2. Search & Select Curators:
Use the filtering options to search by genre, budget, and approval rate.
Sort by genre match and prioritise top matches.
Look for curators and playlists that fit the sound of your track by reviewing/listening to their playlists.
Add a personalised message to each curator: comment on their playlist, or anything else that comes to mind which can help increase chances of getting a placement.
Advanced Tips & Tricks
Engagement: Aim for curators with a high engagement score between 7 - 10. Curators with a lower score may not have enough reach to make an impact.
Budget: Allocate credits wisely, considering the balance between a curator's engagement potential and required submission credits.
Approval Rate: Split your budget to target both hard-to-get curators for higher engagement and those with higher acceptance rates for more placements.
Genre: For mixed-genre tracks (like organic and progressive house), use the 'and' filter option to ensure your search includes curators who specialize in both genres.
3. Feature Follow-Ups • If a playlist curator decides to feature you, here are some ideas to help amplify the feature even further:
Take a moment to thank the curator via SubmitHub's chat. Sharing a personal thanks to the curator may help increase chances of future features!
Consider making a post on your social media profiles about the playlist and how you were featured there, and tagging the curator. This might lead to the curator sharing or engaging with your post, leading to further exposure.
Consider notifying artists on the track that they were featured and encouraging them to also post on social media to celebrate the placement (and tag the curator!)
Pro Tip for Better Engagement: Build Relationships!
Talk to playlist curators and form connections over time. Communicate with them and show support for their playlists on social media.
Doing this might lead to your music staying longer on playlists or increase the chances of your future submissions being accepted.
To use SubmitHub efficiently, make sure to carefully select your submissions, engage personally with curators, and strategically plan your budget for growth.
If you're unsure about any part of the process, feel free to ask Proton for guidance!
Looking to join SubmitHub as a curator?
If your Spotify playlist is organically popular and fits with SubmitHub's community, contact the Proton team and we'll connect you with SubmitHub! :)