Pitching Spotify curators requires finding curator contact information, writing personalized messages that reference playlist themes and recent additions, and sending pitches via email or Instagram DM. Generic templates have 2 percent response rates. Personalized pitches referencing specific playlist details achieve 10-20 percent acceptance rates. Focus on playlists with 1,000 to 10,000 followers that match your music's genre and audio characteristics.
TLDR: Find curator contacts using playlist finder tools or Instagram search. Write 100-150 word personalized emails referencing playlist name, theme, and recent additions. Include direct Spotify track link. Send via email if available, otherwise Instagram DM. Follow up once after 7-10 days. Avoid generic templates and focus on quality over quantity.
Why Generic Templates Fail
Generic pitch templates fail because curators receive hundreds of weekly submissions and immediately recognize mass emails. Templates starting with phrases like I think my track would be great for your playlist signal zero research effort and get deleted without listening. Personalization proves you researched the playlist and understand its curation style, dramatically increasing response probability.
Finding Curator Contact Information
Finding curator contact information is the first challenge. Check playlist descriptions for emails, submission forms, or Instagram links. Search Instagram using the curator's Spotify username to find their profile and bio. Playlist finder tools like Playlist Pilot automate this by scraping curator contacts from Instagram, Twitter, and websites, providing verified emails and social media links.
Research Before Pitching
Research the target playlist before writing your pitch. Listen to the playlist's recent additions to understand its sound and vibe. Note the playlist name, description, and any curator statements about submission preferences. Identify 1-2 recent additions that sound similar to your track. This research forms the foundation for personalized pitch content.
Email Pitch Structure
Email pitch structure: Line 1 addresses curator by name if available and references playlist name. Line 2 explains why your track fits, citing specific playlist characteristics or recent additions. Line 3 provides your Spotify link. Line 4 thanks them for consideration. Keep total length to 100-150 words maximum. Curators scan pitches in seconds, so brevity and relevance are critical.
Instagram DM Pitch Structure
Instagram DM pitch structure: Shorter than email at 50-75 words. Same personalization principles apply but condensed format. Lead with playlist name reference, explain fit in one sentence, include Spotify link, and close with thanks. Instagram DMs work best for curators who do not list email addresses and actively engage on the platform.
Personalization Examples
Personalization examples: Instead of I have a new indie rock song, write I noticed your playlist Chill Indie Vibes recently added tracks by artist names with a laid-back, acoustic feel. My new single has similar guitar tones and would complement those additions. This proves you listened and understand the playlist's curation direction.
Follow-Up Strategy
Follow-up strategy: Wait 7-10 days after initial pitch. Send one polite follow-up referencing your original message. Phrase it as checking in rather than demanding response. Example: Hi, following up on my previous email about playlist name. Wanted to make sure it didn't get lost in your inbox. No pressure either way. One follow-up doubles response rates; multiple follow-ups damage relationships.
Common Mistakes
Common mistakes: Pitching to playlists that don't match your genre, using the same template for every curator, sending overly long messages, failing to include Spotify links, spamming multiple playlists run by the same curator, and giving up after one pitch with no follow-up. Quality targeting and professional persistence outperform mass pitching every time.
How Many Playlists To Pitch
How many playlists to pitch: Target 30-50 playlists per release with fully personalized pitches. A 10-20 percent acceptance rate yields 3-10 placements, driving 500-5,000 streams and triggering algorithmic momentum. Pitching 500 playlists with generic templates yields worse results than 30 personalized pitches because curators remember and ignore lazy outreach.
How Playlist Pilot Helps
Playlist Pilot streamlines curator pitching by providing verified curator contacts, bot detection to avoid fake playlists, and AI-generated personalized pitches that reference playlist themes and recent additions. The tool reduces research time from hours to minutes while maintaining personalization quality that drives acceptance rates.