💡✍️ADN #112: How to Pitch Your Song for DSP Playlisting

Getting your song on a DSP playlist isn’t luck.

It’s work.

It’s strategic.

If you approach this correctly — like a pro (not like an artist who just needs help) — you’ll stand a better chance of landing those coveted playlist spots.

This is the simple system I’ve used and refined over the past 5 years to help artists secure major playlists and millions of streams.

This week, it landed six playlists for two of my management clients.

Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Don’t Be That Artist Who Uploads Late

Upload your song via your distribution partner (DistroKid, TuneCore, The Orchard, or whatever you use) at least 4 weeks before release is non-negotiable.

Why?

Because DSPs aren’t sitting around waiting to prioritize your track.

It takes 5–7 days for your song to appear on their back end.

Respect the process.

Plan ahead.

Note:

To be prepared to upload and pitch your song 4 weeks in advance, you must have these items ready -

• Song mixed & mastered
• Artwork (3000x3000 art file)
• Updated bio, promo photo, pitch points, etc.

Step 2: Do Your Homework

Some DSPs (Spotify, Amazon Music, etc.) have pitch tools built into their artist platforms.

Use them.

It’s like sending a resume — if you skip it, you’re already at the bottom of the pile.

**Do this BEFORE you send any emails**

But don’t stop there.

Identify who the playlist curators are for each platform — and no, I don’t mean blindly spamming everyone on LinkedIn with “CHECK OUT MY SONG.”

Here’s how to do it:

• Start with LinkedIn: Search for people with job titles like “Playlist Curator” or “Music Programming” at Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, etc.
• Twitter and Instagram: Many curators are active on social media. Follow them, engage (authentically, not creepily), and get a sense of what they’re into.
• Ask Around: Your manager, distributor, or other artists may have contact info or introductions they can share.

 — — -

Would you be interested in a tool that helps with this?

I am interested

 — — -

Note:

Relationship building takes time. This will be the most challenging part of the process because earning trust, awareness, and results from a human (no matter their job) is a process.

Remember, playlist curators are people with lives and very full inboxes.

Respect and help them.

With time, they will respect and help you.

Step 3: While You Wait, Draft a Killer Email

During that 5–7 day waiting period, start drafting your outreach emails.

Keep them short, professional, and respectful.

Curators don’t care about your life story in an email.

They care about what helps them.

Note:

Save your life story for your bio, and always condense it into a digestible format (not a novel.)

Step 4: Don’t Waste Anyone’s Time (Including Your Own)

Your email isn’t the place to flex your word count.

Give them the essentials, like this:

Subject Line: Artist Name, Track Name, Release Date

(Example: Michael Jackson’s new single “Thriller” out 1/17/25)

Hi [Curator Name or Team],

(Insert your name) here.

Hope you’re doing well!

I wanted to share my upcoming single, “[Song Title],” releasing [Date].

Here are the quick highlights:

• Genre: [Specify]
• Why It Matters: [E.g., viral TikTok trend,1st single from new album, single to support tour, opening for a major artist, etc.]
• For Fans Of): [Artists you sound similar to]
• Listen Link: [Insert Track Link]

I’ve attached my latest One Sheet with more information.

Let me know if there’s anything else you need. Thanks for listening!

Best,
[Your Name]

Here is a free template you can grab.

Pro Tip:

If you email a DSP with a pitch tool (Spotify, Amazon Music), let them know you have already pitched using their tool.

Timing Tip: Send this email 2.5–3 weeks before release. It’s early enough for them to consider it but not so early that they forget it exists.

Step 5: Build Relationships That Last

You’re not just pitching a song — you’re pitching yourself.

The goal here isn’t to land one playlist and peace out.

It’s to build a long-term relationship with these curators.

Here’s how to do it:

• Be Professional: Respect their time. Always.
• Say Thank You: If your song lands on a playlist, don’t just celebrate on Instagram (though do that — tagging the platform). Take screenshots, send a thank-you email, and tell them you appreciate their support.
• Stay in Touch: Even if they pass on your song, keep them updated — but only with real news. Viral moments, tour announcements, or anything that genuinely adds value to their job is worth sharing.

Step 6: Know When to Follow Up

If you’ve got new, newsworthy updates — like your song popping off on TikTok or you scoring a tour with a prominent artist — you’ve earned the right to send a follow-up email.

But only do this 7–10 days before release and make sure it’s actually worth their time.

Step 7: At Release, Celebrate Strategically

If you land on playlists, share the hell out of it.

Post it, tag the DSP, and thank them publicly.

Use this as an opportunity to stay on their radar — not by spamming, but by showing appreciation.

Final Thought: Don’t Be the Artist Everyone Dreads Hearing From

Playlist curators deal with hundreds — sometimes thousands — of pitches a week.

You’ll stand out if you’re respectful, professional, and helpful.

But if you’re the person wasting their time with long-winded emails or desperate follow-ups, your name will end up on the “nope” list faster than you can say “playlist.”

Play the long game.

Build relationships.

And remember, being professional isn’t just about how you pitch — it’s about how you treat people every step of the way.

Need help crafting the strategy for your next release?

I’ve opened up some time on my calendar here.

See you next Sunday!

Neil