Your pitch email determines whether curators listen to your music. These 10 templates are proven to get responses. Customize each one with specific details about the curator's playlist—generic pitches get ignored.
What Makes a Pitch Work
Curators receive dozens of pitches daily. Yours needs to stand out by being specific, respectful of their time, and clearly relevant to their playlist. Mention their playlist name, reference recent tracks they've added, and explain the specific sonic connection.
Template 1: The Direct Match
Best for: When your music clearly fits the playlist's style. Template: 'Hi [Name], I noticed [Playlist Name] features artists like [Artist] and [Artist]. My new track [Song Name] has a similar [tempo/vibe/sound]. It's [one sentence description]. Would you consider it for [Playlist Name]? [Spotify Link] Thanks, [Your Name]'
Template 2: The Compliment Opener
Best for: Building rapport before asking. Template: 'Hey [Name], I've been following [Playlist Name] for months—your taste in [genre] is spot on. The recent add of [Recent Track] was perfect. I just released [Song Name] which shares that same [quality]. Any chance you'd give it a listen? [Spotify Link]'
Template 3: The Story Hook
Best for: Tracks with interesting backstories. Template: 'Hi [Name], [Song Name] was written [brief compelling story—keep it to one sentence]. Sonically it fits alongside [Artist] tracks on [Playlist Name]. Would love your honest opinion: [Spotify Link]. Either way, keep up the great curation!'
Template 4: The Data Point
Best for: Artists with traction to highlight. Template: '[Song Name] just hit [milestone—playlist adds, streams, chart position]. I think it would resonate with [Playlist Name] listeners who enjoy [similar artist on their playlist]. Here's the track: [Spotify Link]. Happy to share more context if helpful.'
Template 5: The Mutual Connection
Best for: When you share a connection. Template: 'Hey [Name], [Mutual Contact] mentioned you curate [Playlist Name]. They thought my track [Song Name] might fit your vibe. It's [genre] with [key characteristic]. Would you be open to checking it out? [Spotify Link]'
Template 6: The New Release
Best for: Pitching before release day. Template: 'Hi [Name], I'm releasing [Song Name] on [Date] and think it would fit [Playlist Name] perfectly. It features [key element] similar to [Artist] you've featured. Happy to send an early stream link if you'd like to preview. [Pre-save Link]'
Template 7: The Genre Expert
Best for: Niche genre playlists. Template: 'Hi [Name], finding quality [specific subgenre] playlists is tough—[Playlist Name] is one of the best. My track [Song Name] is [subgenre] with [specific element]. Curious if it fits your vision: [Spotify Link].'
Template 8: The Humble Ask
Best for: Smaller artists approaching bigger curators. Template: 'Hi [Name], I know you probably get tons of submissions. [Song Name] is [genre] that I genuinely believe fits [Playlist Name]—similar energy to [recent add they made]. Even if it's not right, I'd value any feedback: [Spotify Link]. Thanks for your time.'
Template 9: The Follow-Up
Best for: 7-10 days after initial pitch with no response. Template: 'Hi [Name], just floating this back up in case it got buried. Completely understand if [Song Name] isn't the right fit for [Playlist Name]—just wanted to make sure you had a chance to hear it. [Spotify Link]. Thanks either way!'
Template 10: The AI-Personalized Pitch
Best for: Scaling personalization. Template: Use AI pitch generators like Playlist Pilot to create custom pitches based on each playlist's recent tracks and theme. AI analyzes the playlist and generates relevant talking points you'd miss manually.
Common Pitch Mistakes to Avoid
Don't send the same pitch to every curator. Don't write more than 150 words. Don't attach files—use streaming links. Don't promise to promote their playlist (they don't care). Don't follow up more than once. Don't lie about your stats.
Personalization Tactics
Reference their playlist name multiple times. Mention a specific recent track they added. Note something unique about their curation style. If they have a bio or website, reference something from it. The more specific, the higher your response rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my pitch email be? Under 150 words. Curators skim—get to the point fast. Your Spotify link should be impossible to miss.
Should I follow up if I don't hear back? One follow-up after 7-10 days is acceptable. More than that is spam. No response usually means no interest.
What's a good response rate for cold pitches? 10-25% response rate is solid for personalized pitches. Generic mass emails get under 5%.
Summary
Effective pitch emails are short, specific, and personalized. Reference the playlist by name, connect your music to their existing taste, and make your Spotify link prominent. Use these templates as starting points, then customize with details about each curator's playlist. AI tools can help scale personalization without sacrificing quality.