How to Get More Streams on Spotify as an Unsigned Artist: Check Out These 6 Tips!
Spotify is a digital music, podcast, and video service that gives you access to millions of songs and other content from creators all over the world. Most artists often think of Spotify as a place where fans listen to music, but it is more than that these days.
Check the top 6 tips on how to get more streams as an unsigned artist!
Get Your Music on Spotify
Obviously, the first step to success is to submit your music to Spotify. However, the music platform doesn’t offer a way to upload music for free like SoundCloud, YouTube, and Bandcamp. The best way to get your music on Spotify is through a record label or a digital music distribution service. If you’re signed to a label, they’ll take care of getting your music to Spotify.
However, if you’re an independent artist, you must arrange distribution yourself. You can do it through music distribution companies such as DistroKid, TuneCore, CDBaby, etc. These services will deliver your music to Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon Music, TikTok, Pandora, YouTube, Deezer, and other major streaming platforms.
Music distribution services also offer digital marketing tools, music services, and artist resources. You’ll find everything needed to prepare, sell, license, and market your music. Choose the ones that suit you more and get started!
Get Verified on Spotify
Make sure you get verified on Spotify as an artist as it gives access to Spotify fan insight and artist analytics. It also provides features like the ability to view streams statistics, create and submit artist playlists, and many more. Besides, verified artists can manage their profile and access music marketing tools, and more.
To get verified, you must claim your profile to access Spotify for Artists. It is open to both artists and their teams. The benefits of Spotify verification include:
A blue checkmark on your profile to let fans know your artist profile belongs to you.
Detailed analytics on your listeners and how your music is performing.
Access to customize your artist profile with a bio, images, tour dates, and featured music you love.
Ability to send your releases to Spotify’s editorial team or independent playlist curators.
Access to music promotion tools, new features, helpful resources, and more.
Having a verified Spotify artist profile that looks professional is crucial. It will boost your credibility and help attract Spotify playlist curators, fans, and other music industry professionals.
Create and Update Your Own Playlist
Playlists are one of the fastest ways to deliver your music/songs to millions of potential listeners you can show your fans all about you. The easiest way to get more streams and new followers is to create and regularly update your playlists. By supporting other artists of your genre and sharing playlists on a regular basis, you will affect and increase your chances of getting favor returned.
Curating and promoting playlists keeps you engaged with your listeners. Staying proactive is vital because Spotify algorithms monitor your activity. Active users with high-performing streams are more likely to get their music placed on prominent playlists. Also, the more streams and followers you have, the higher you’ll appear in searches.
Submit Your Music to Playlist Curators
Below are tips on how to get your music on Spotify playlists:
Create a Spotify for Artists account and verify your artist profile.
Submit unreleased music to the Spotify editorial team for playlist consideration.
Learn more about pitching music to playlist editors here.
Pitch your music to independent Spotify playlist curators such as Soundplate, SubmitHub, Indiemono, and SpinGrey.
Email or message playlist curators and ask them to add your music.
Get your music signed by a record label with high-performing playlists.
Create themed playlists featuring music from other artists and regularly update your playlists.
Use Spotify as a social network.
Follow artists you like and share their playlists. These artists may support you in return.
Share your music on social media, music blogs, email, and music-related websites to expand your exposure.
Pitch your upcoming, unreleased songs to music blogs, music publicists, and other influencers.
Encourage your fans to follow you on Spotify and listen to your music on the platform.
Release quality music that stands up to high-performing tracks on leading playlists.
Stay active, be proactive, promote your music, grow your followers, and increase your streams.
It will be challenging to get your songs on high-performing Spotify playlists. It’s going to take hard work to build up your Spotify plays, listenership, and credibility. But you’ve got this!
Actively Use Social Media
Social media has proven to be a valuable asset for musicians. A strong social media presence is essential for promoting your music, engaging with fans, and expanding your fanbase. Below are tips on how to leverage social media to get more streams on Spotify:
Post links to new releases and playlists on Spotify. Then encourage your fans to follow you on Spotify and listen to your songs.
Generate a Spotify Code and share it in your posts. A Spotify Code is like a QR Code fans can scan with their phone. It’s a quick way to share or access music on Spotify.
Keep fans up-to-date on your latest music, upcoming gigs, a new music video, and anything relevant.
Share stories and photos about your music, experiences in your music career, music production tips, etc. This approach will build your brand identity, encourage engagement, and grow a relationship with your fans.
Join Facebook and Reddit groups where people share music and offer feedback to other artists.
Use direct marketing strategies. Then track the responses, engagement, and streams to know which tactics produce the best results.
Remember: It’s vital to connect with your fans and show them you care. Don’t use social media just to promote your music and tour schedule. Use these platforms to interact with your fans. Develop a personal connection with them.
Share Spotify Codes with Your Fans
A Spotify code is a “scannable” QR tag used to share or search for content on Spotify. You can create local icons for artist profiles, brand profiles, playlists, albums, and songs. Plus, you can share Spotify code on social media, websites, and anywhere. You can add the Spotify URL code. Fans can scan the code using Spotify’s built-in scanner.
Create a Spotify Podcast with Anchor
Anchor is an all-in-one platform where you can create, host, distribute, and monetize your podcast from any device. Plus, it’s 100% free! Spotify supports video and audio podcasts. Podcasts are an excellent way to tap into new audiences, expand viewership, and boost exposure.
Also, podcasts enable artists to connect more meaningfully with their listeners and deepen audience engagement. It’s a great way to enrich the audio experience for both fans and creators.
Conclusion
The Spotify platform is one of the best places to share your music with the world and grow your fanbase. However, success will be challenging. It’s crucial to grow your brand organically. You’ll find more success and a feeling of achievement when fans have a genuine interest and appreciation of your music.