Putting your music on a digital distribution platform like Spotify is a big moment for any artist.
It’s the start of something new: your music will be out there for the world to hear!
Your track could even get featured in a major playlist and new fans might find you through an algorithm recommendation.
But, what can you do to increase your chances of getting listened to over and over instead of getting played just once?
It’s not easy to capture the hearts and imaginations of your audience. So, you’ll have to put together some kind of plan to promote your music.
The only way to win over true fans is to share your truest personality in a meaningful and personal way.
When it comes to Spotify, the best way to showcase your message and brand is through your Spotify artist profile.
When it comes to Spotify, the best way to showcase your message and brand is through your Spotify artist profile.
In this guide, we’ll look at the practical steps to claim your Spotify for Artists profile.
But more importantly, we’ll dive into what it takes to get the most out of the tools Spotify offers to promote your music, art, and message.
Why put your music on Spotify?
Spotify is more than just a streaming service that pays you every time someone plays your track, it’s a platform where music fans go to find new artists to love.
When you put your tracks on Spotify fans can find your music through several paths, including a few you might not have thought of:
- Searching for you and finding your profile
- Algorithm recommendations
- Curated playlist placements
- Artist picks from other artists
- Friend activity
That’s a lot of ways for people to find your music!
Getting your tracks played more often relies a lot on how you market your tracks.
Don’t just rely on an algorithm to pick up your track and put it in someone’s playlist.
Don’t just rely on an algorithm to pick up your track and put it in someone’s playlist.
You might get one or two plays, but if your message and aesthetic don’t land you’ll lose an opportunity to create a new fan.
There’s a few actions you can personally take to win over new followers and get your tracks streamed more often.
Let’s start with step one: claim your artist profile.
How to claim your Spotify for Artists Profile
Once your music is on Spotify you’ll want to claim your Spotify artist profile, so you can get that nice blue tick by your artist name.
To claim your Spotify for Artists Profile follow these six steps:
- Go to the Spotify for Artists home page
- Click claim your profile
- Select either Artist or Manager, depending on your relationship to the project
- Copy your artist link from the share button by your release in the Spotify app
- Enter the artist link into the search bar
- Request access to Spotify for Artists and verify your identity by connecting your band social media accounts
Pretty simple right!
Once you claim your profile you’ll get access to all the analytics, promotional tools, and profile customization options that Spotify offers.
What should you share on your Artist Profile?
A verified profile allows you to showcase your unique self.
A verified profile allows you to showcase your unique self.
Once you claim your profile you’ll be able to upload your personal profile picture, a photo gallery, and a profile banner.
Plus, you’ll be able to tell your story (in 1500 words or less) in your artist biography.
Writing a music bio can be tough, but there are a few topics you’ll want to cover.
Give your audience a short background about where you come from, what your music is about and even some words about your newest release.
Highlights and quotes from the press are also great options for your music bio.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to include links to your social media accounts!
More than just pictures and a bio
Your artist profile also lets you post your upcoming concerts and any merch you have for sale.
Keep these updated and you’ll hopefully sell more concert tickets, t-shirts, and vinyl.
The last feature you’ll want to use on Spotify is the one you should update most regularly: Artist Pick and your Artist Playlist.
With Artist Pick, you get to choose one track, playlist, or tour date to showcase directly at the top of your artist profile.
With Artist Pick, you get to choose one track, playlist, or tour date to showcase directly at the top of your artist profile.
Artist Playlist gives you the chance to put together a playlist of whatever you’re into.
These tools are designed to encourage your fans to come back to your profile over and over again.
But they only work if you update them regularly.
Promote your tracks smart with analytics
Knowing the details about who’s playing your music and where it is getting played is pretty important for planning an album launch, tour or digital marketing campaign.
We get that you’re an artist and your focus is on your music first, but that doesn’t make it any less important to understand how your music is spreading.
It’s especially true if you want to grow your audience.
That’s a big reason why claiming your Spotify for Artists profile is really important– you get so many statistics and actionable insights about how fans are interacting with your music.
It’s so valuable to know the countries where your music is most popular, where you are growing your reach, what tracks people liked most, and when listeners hit the skip button.
It’s so valuable to know the countries where your music is most popular, where you are growing your reach, what tracks people liked most, and when listeners hit the skip button.
Of course, it’s even more valuable if you can see your stats across all streaming platforms.
Submit to the platform
Streaming platforms and digital distribution are a very hot topic in the music industry right now.
But whether or not you’ve taken a side on the debate, the reality is that these platforms can connect you with new listeners.
Regardless of how much you earn for each stream, you still need to put real thought into how your project will connect with listeners and create new fans.
Taking advantage of the marketing and promotion tools that platforms like your Spotify artist profile offer are great ways to distinguish yourself from the rest and get ahead.