For many, streaming is now the preferred way of listening to music. And in the last decade or so, Spotify has taken the forefront in this growing industry, and it’s easy to see why. After all, it boasts a considerable user base in the hundreds of millions. For this reason, it’s become an excellent service for those behind the tracks.
But just because it has a significant number of active users, it doesn’t mean that success is automatically guaranteed. You’ll still need to put in some work if you want to stand out amidst the increasingly crowded space. It’s not easy to be sure, but by following the practices and strategies listed in this article, you’ll understand how to acquire Spotify plays and connect with your audience on the platform.
Partner with record labels or music distribution services
Contrary to what some might think, uploading must on the platform isn’t free. And if you plan to take a more independent route, you’ll need to cover the fees yourself. However, if you choose to sign with record labels, you won’t have to do it—they’ll handle everything for you. As a result, all you’ll need to concern yourself with is making your music.
You can also partner up with a music distribution agency instead as they can create a lot of exposure for you by getting your tracks on all the popular streaming platforms. Another advantage they offer is that they provide musicians with digital marketing and other artist services alongside the collection and payment of royalties that your music generates, saving yourself a lot of trouble in the process.
But keep in mind that not all distribution services are the same. Some will offer features that others don’t. As such, you must always do your homework before you commit to one.
Claim your artist profile
Once you’re able to get your music on Spotify, you can start claiming your artist profile. In this way, you’ll have greater control over your account, whether it’s managing the profile, viewing the audience stats, access to marketing tools, and so much more. In other words, it puts you at an advantage and can work well with your other efforts, like if you choose to buy Spotify plays or leverage social media.
Having a professional artist profile on the platform will make you more credible. In turn, you’ll attract a broader audience, grow your fanbase, and draw in other musicians and professionals.
Share your music to curators of playlists
It’s not a big secret that playlists and charts are the most effective ways to build traction on Spotify. However, with a multitude of playlists that the platform’s curators, staff, listeners, and algorithm generates, it can be a colossal task to get your tracks where they need to be to improve their visibility. To help you out, here are a few techniques that you can use:
- Verify your profile
- Share your unreleased music to the editorial team of Spotify
- Pitch to curators
- Create and update your playlists
- Support and follow other artists
There’s no secret formula to become featured on the desired Spotify playlists, and it’ll take time to develop a profile on the platform successfully. But by staying active, encouraging your audience to share your music, and working with other musicians, you’ll get the intended outcome.
Conclusion
Spotify can help aspiring musicians launch a successful career and allow existing ones to keep their audience’s engaged and maintain relevance in the industry. The key is to not give up and lose heart, even if it does take some time to get the streams and followers you want. Just keep working hard and eventually you’ll succeed.