Getting your song on a Spotify editorial playlist might feel like winning the indie artist lottery. And while there’s no guaranteed formula, there is a strategy—and yes, you can do it without a big team or budget.
We spoke with Janette Berrios, VP of Corporate Marketing at Symphonic Distribution, who broke down the basics of playlist pitching for official DSP playlists (like those coveted Spotify-curated ones). Spoiler: it’s more doable than you think.
“Nowadays everybody’s interested in playlisting, right? So that’s like the super hot topic,” says Janette Berrios, VP of Corporate Marketing at Symphonic Distribution, in an episode of Sound Advice. “Playlisting is a sort of marketing. It is a marketing tool.”
Here’s how to pitch for playlists (and what to say when it’s time to submit).
Step 1: Submit early
Before you even think about playlisting, you need to give your music the runway it deserves.
Even though Spotify says to send in your pitch 7 days before it goes live, Janette recommends submitting your release at least 4–6 weeks before the drop date. Why? Because that’s how long it takes your distributor (if you’re using one like Symphonic) to process your release, gather your assets, and submit your music to editorial teams at streaming services.
Once your song is live on Spotify, it’s too late to pitch it—so give their editors a little time to sort through submissions by submitting early.
Keep in mind: you can only pitch one song at a time, even if you’re dropping an EP or full album. Choose the track that best represents you, your sound, and the story you want to share.
Step 2: Personalize your pitch
Your pitch isn’t just about the song. It’s about the story around the song.
What inspired it? What does it mean to you personally? Did you team up with anyone to bring it to life?
At Spotify, you can give the editors a feel for the vibe by choosing up to three genres that best describe the track. Is it a moody indie ballad with R&B undertones? A Latin-inspired dance anthem with a hip-hop twist? The more context you give, the easier it is for playlist curators to find the perfect spot for your song.
You don’t need to know music industry lingo or have a PR team for this. What you do need is a good song and the confidence to tell your story. Platforms are always looking for new artists to spotlight. Make it easy for them to spotlight you.
Step 3: Build your case
Along with your story about the song, you also need to include your marketing plans. This is where things can get intimidating, especially if you’re a solo artist without a team.
At Symphonic Distribution, they have a Marketing Driver Form for their clients. This form gives them everything they need to pitch your track to the major streaming services—Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, etc.
But whether your distributor is submitting for you or you’re filling out a Spotify for Artists pitch form yourself, it should include:
- Content (Are there music videos, behind-the-scenes, or other visuals?)
- Media Coverage (Even if it’s just a blog or local outlet)
- Advertising (Any paid promotion, even a small Instagram ad budget)
- Audience (Details about your engagement like TikTok traction or viral posts)
Remember: Spell out the reach of any press outlets you’re working with. “The people reading these might not necessarily be in your region, so you need to show the full picture.” Berrios notes.
The most important thing is to be real about what you are doing: promoting on Instagram, doing a TikTok campaign, throwing a release party, or sending emails to friends and fans. That all counts.
Playlist curators want to know you’re serious about getting your music heard—and a plan (any plan) shows that.
- Sample Pitch #1 – Indie R&B Artist
- Sample Pitch #2 – Upbeat Latin Pop Duo
Beyond the Pitch
Pitching to official playlists isn’t reserved for the industry elite. It’s about preparation, storytelling, and showing the value behind your music. As Janette puts it: “Just get creative with what you have today and the resources available. Music has no limits in terms of what you can do.”
If something clicks, you could land on a playlist like Spotify’s “Fresh Finds” or “Chill R&B.” Most artists don’t get placed overnight so even if you don’t make it this time, you’re building a track record.
Continue posting content after your release day, running ads, and engaging your fans. “Try to stretch out all the content as possible,” says Berrios. “You can probably be talking about [the release] for the next… one to three months after.”
The more consistent you are with your rollout, storytelling, and community-building, the more likely DSPs are to take notice.
- TL;DR playlist pitching checklist
📁 Make your pitch human—not hype
📁 Add links to visuals or content
📁 Share your PR + ad plans
📁 Keep promoting after the release
