How To Boost Streams On Spotify in 2024.
The Spotify For Artists 2024 guide: 9 easy steps to increase listens organically.
One significant achievement for an artist is to get your music on Spotify. However, the job has only started.
Welcome to a practical guide for boosting your Spotify streams in 2024, including easy steps to improve your profile’s visibility and build a community.
TL;DR To increase your streams on Spotify: create a certified profile, include your concert dates, engage with other artists on the platform, use the ‘Artist’s Pick’ feature and get featured on a Spotify Editorial playlist.
3 Types of Spotify Playlists
The majority of Spotify listens come through playlists. There are three types:
- Algorithmically Generated Playlists: such as Discover Weekly, Yearly Wrapped
- User-generated playlists: curated and shared by listeners and fans, these playlists grow organically
- Editorial playlists: Curated by Spotify’s in-house editorial team, these playlists are a goldmine as they have the most followers.
The bad news is that you can’t interfere with the algorithm; however, the good news is that you can get yourself featured in Editorial and User-Generated playlists.
While playlists are important, having a well-curated Spotify Artist account is crucial.
Let’s get you set up first. ⚙️
Curate your Spotify artist account
After uploading your tracks, verify your account to get the blue tick.
1. How to become certified?
- Go to the Spotify for Artists homepage
- Click on “Request your profile”
- Select either the artist or the manager, depending on your relationship with the project
- Copy the link from your artist page via the share button in the Spotify app
- Enter the artist link in the search bar
- Request access to Spotify for Artists and verify your identity by logging in to your music project’s social network accounts
2. Complete Your Profile.
Once the profile is claimed, upload:
- your personal profile photos,
- a photo gallery,
- a profile banner,
- and your artist biography: tell your story in a maximum of 1500 words
Excerpts and quotes from the press are also good options to give you street cred’
I recommend linking your social networks to your profile for fans to follow your journey, build a community and notify them for future releases.
Have you found a unique way to showcase your personality on Spotify? Share your experiences or tips in the comments below! 🎵
3. Add your Concert Dates
Enter the dates of your upcoming gigs directly on your profile and redirect fans directly to SongKick/Ticketmaster to buy the ticket and see you live.
When a listener follows your profile, your concert dates will be showcased.
In the Concerts/Live Events section of the Spotify app, people who have streamed your music are likely to find your upcoming shows listed.
4. Create your merchandising
In October 2023, Spotify launched a hub for artists’ merch.
Selling branded items is a great way for beginners to make money, especially when streaming royalties are not (yet) significant enough.
If you are struggling to find merch ideas, I have some ideas for you.
5. How to use the “Artist’s Pick” feature?
Don’t underestimate the ‘Artist’s Pick*’. It is a powerful feature.
*You can pin to the top of your page a song, an album, your next concert date or a playlist, including a short message.
It connects your activity with your audience by sharing news and current inspiration.
Use “Artist Playlists” to curate personal playlists and share your musical taste with others, endorsing artists you appreciate and showing your support for their work on the platform. Sharing is caring.
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How to be featured on a Spotify Editorial playlist?
1. Encourage artists to follow you, and do the same.
Think of Spotify as a regular social network.
If you follow other artists and participate on the platform, you’ll get noticed more, and that’s key to your work’s visibility.
For example, if an artist follows you, it guarantees that they will see your latest release in the algorithmically-generated Release Radar playlist, as well as in the “What’s New” section (the bell icon on the top-right of your Home Screen).
When artists play your music, it can pop up in various parts of the app, like Radios, Discover Weekly, and Mixes.
As you use Spotify more, the app learns what you like and connects you with listeners who enjoy similar music.
2. Tell your audience who you are.
How your songs reach listeners depends on how well you brand yourself.
Share a clear message. Using authentic aesthetics by creating 3-second to 8-second looping “Canvas” videos can help showcase who you are and entertain listeners.
If you can, add lyrics to your tracks. So your fans can ‘Karaoke’ on it.
3. Have a Release Strategy
Build up excitement before your release by setting up pre-save campaigns. Taylor Swift excels at teasing a new album release.
By encouraging fans to save your upcoming tracks, you build excitement.
As you know, timing matters. Strategically release your music (usually on Fridays) by considering the time zone to maximise visibility.
Collaborate with other artists by cross-promoting your compositions with fellow musicians. Collaborative efforts can introduce your music to new audiences.
4. Network with music blogs and labels
Getting your music to be reviewed on music blogs* can increase the chance of being added to Spotify playlists like Fresh Finds.
music blogs* with high authority: Pitchfork, NME, Rolling Stone — or your local news is a good place to start.
A more common way to be featured in editorial playlists is by having record labels/distributors send your music to the Spotify team.
When sharing an editorial playlist you’re on, not all listeners will see your track — Spotify offers a way to “pin” your track to the top when sharing a link to it.
Takeaways
- To be recognised as an artist in 2024, you must have your work showcased across music streaming platforms to display your art globally, allowing fans to connect.
- Spotify’s algorithm functions similarly to other social media platforms.
- Before getting into strategies, let your music and personality shine. Being genuine and authentic is more effective than any marketing tactic.
Kind reminder:
Success comes from supporting each other.
If you found these tips valuable, share the guide with other artists. 📣
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to comment. I am here to help 🙋♂️
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