The ultimate playlist pitch guide for independent artists

For a practical walkthrough of how to submit your release, check out our guide Submitting Your Song for Playlist Consideration.

Before diving into pitching strategies, it helps to understand the different types of playlists and how they work.

These are playlists created by human curators, essentially anyone with a Spotify or Amazon account. You may have made one yourself to collect favourite tracks or to organize music by mood or genre.

Many independent curators have loyal followings, making their playlists a valuable way to get exposure. Some artists have landed their first breakthrough streams by reaching out to niche playlist curators by platforms such as Submithub.

Algorithmic playlists are generated by streaming platforms using your listening data rather than by humans. They analyze your listening habits, like the artists and genres you play most, and even the time of day you listen, to suggest tracks that fit your style.

Examples include Spotify’s Discover Weekly, Release Radar, Daily Mix, and Artist Radio. These playlists constantly update to reflect a listener’s evolving taste, mixing familiar favourites with new discoveries. While you can’t pitch directly to algorithms, you can influence them: consistent streaming, encouraging followers to save and share your track, and using relevant metadata (think about genre rags and language of the lyrics) can all increase the chance of landing in a personalized playlist.

Editorial playlists are curated by professional teams at streaming services. Think of Spotify’s iconic New Music Friday or RapCaviar, and Amazon Music’s Fresh Pop. Editorial playlists offer massive reach but are also the most competitive.

To be considered, you need to submit your song via your artist dashboard. The editorial team reviews submissions and handpicks songs that fit the playlist’s mood, genre, and audience. These are the playlists where a strong pitch can make all the difference.

There isn’t a magic formula that guarantees a song will be featured, but there are clear steps to increase your chances. When you submit your pitch, remember that editors are looking for tracks that either match a playlist’s vibe or have a story that makes them stand out.

Start by introducing yourself in a few sentences. Mention your genre, musical style, and cultural background. Include achievements like festival performances, radio plays, or previous playlist features. Even small milestones, like a collaboration with another local artist, can help paint a fuller picture.

Describe your new track clearly. What makes it special, unique or newsworthy? Include mood, themes, and notable collaborations. For example, a pitch might say:

"This indie-pop track blends electronic beats with acoustic guitar, exploring themes of urban isolation. It features vocals by rising singer-songwriter MW and has a cinematic, hopeful vibe perfect for morning commute playlists."

Only mention collaborators if it adds value to the pitch, since space is limited and clarity is key.

It can be helpful to name a few comparable artists, especially if your genre is niche. Suggesting specific playlists can also help. However, be concise, since character space is limited. A stronger approach is to focus on the mood and story behind the track, which often leaves a bigger impression.

For example:

"Fans of Phoebe Bridgers and Soccer Mommy will appreciate the intimate, melancholic feel of this track. It would suit curated playlists like ‘Indie Chill’ or ‘Bedroom Pop Essentials.’"

Explain what comes next after this release. Are you planning an EP or album? Going on tour? Running a social media or ad campaign? This helps editors see the momentum your track will have, which makes it more appealing to feature. For example, an artist could say:

"The track will be supported by a two-week Instagram teaser campaign, and we plan to release an acoustic live version shortly after to maximize engagement."

Timing is crucial. Submit your song early enough to give editors time to review it, and to make sure it appears in Release Radar (at least 7 days before release) and other algorithmic playlists on day one.

A smart way to generate early momentum is posting a snippet on TikTok or Instagram. Pre-saves, social buzz, and early engagement all signal to playlist curators and algorithms that your release is worth featuring.

Many artists leave pitches incomplete, which immediately reduces their chances. Make sure you answer every field and use the space available. On Spotify for Artists, you have 500 characters, make every word count.

Keep the language professional but approachable. Most pitches should be in English so editorial teams can understand them, even if your track is in another language. For artists with a mostly local audience, pitching in the local language can work.

Getting featured on playlists is competitive, but with a thoughtful pitch, strategic timing, and a bit of momentum-building, you can improve your chances significantly. Think of the pitch as your chance to tell your story and explain why your track deserves attention.

If you want to maximize your reach even further, check out this guide with our best tips to promote your own music, it’s a great way to create pre-release buzz that can push your song onto the playlists you’re targeting.

At Make Waves, you can submit your new release for pitching by sending an email to [email protected]. If your track is selected, you will receive an email from us with all the necessary information! When our team pitches for our users, we make sure to not use one standard framework, but try to look at every pitch differently. Making it as specific and suitable for the track as possible is key!

Good luck pitching and if you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].