Building Relationships with Playlist Curators: The Key to Unlocking Music Success

As an independent musician, producer, or artist, getting your music on popular playlists can be a major game-changer for your career. But, you know what they say: "it's not what you know, it's who you know." In the music industry, building relationships with playlist curators is crucial to unlocking music success. By understanding how to network and build relationships with these key players, you can increase your chances of getting your music on the playlists that matter most.

Why Playlist Curators Matter

Playlist curators are the gatekeepers of music discovery. They decide which artists and songs make it onto the playlists that millions of listeners tune into every day. According to a recent study, 70% of listeners discover new music through playlists, making them a crucial part of the music discovery process. By building relationships with these curators, you can get your music in front of the right people, increase your visibility, and drive more streams and sales.

  • According to Spotify, 98% of listeners who discover music through playlists go on to stream the artist's music again.
  • A study by Next Big Sound found that artists who get featured on popular playlists see a significant increase in streams and sales.

Networking with Playlist Curators: Tips and Strategies

So, how do you build relationships with playlist curators? Here are some actionable tips to get you started:

  • Research, research, research: Find out which curators are responsible for which playlists and study their preferences and tastes.
  • Attend industry events: Attend conferences, festivals, and other industry events where you can meet and network with curators in person.
  • Engage on social media: Follow and engage with curators on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
  • Reach out and introduce yourself: Send a personalized email or message introducing yourself and your music to the curator.
  • Build a relationship: Once you've made contact, continue to engage with the curator, share their content, and provide value to them.

By building relationships with playlist curators, you can increase your chances of getting your music on the playlists that matter most. But, it's not enough to just build relationships - you also need to understand how to pitch your music to these curators effectively.

Pitching to Playlist Curators: A Step-by-Step Guide

For a more in-depth look at how to pitch to playlist curators, check out our article on How to pitch to Spotify editorial playlists step by step.

Conclusion

Building relationships with playlist curators is a crucial part of unlocking music success. By understanding how to network and build relationships with these key players, you can increase your chances of getting your music on the playlists that matter most. Remember to research, attend industry events, engage on social media, reach out and introduce yourself, and build a relationship with the curator. With these tips and strategies, you can take your music career to the next level.

Key Takeaway: Building relationships with playlist curators is crucial to unlocking music success. By understanding how to network and build relationships with these key players, you can increase your chances of getting your music on the playlists that matter most.

If you're looking for more information on how to build a successful playlist strategy, be sure to check out our The Complete Playlist Strategy Guide for Musicians. This comprehensive guide covers everything from music keyword research to seasonal playlist strategies, and will help you take your music career to the next level.

Additionally, be sure to check out our articles on How to recover from losing a major playlist spot and Seasonal playlist strategies for musicians for more tips and strategies on how to succeed in the music industry.