Playlist Pitch Template Library Templates
Playlist Pitch Template Library
Playlist pitching is a numbers game with a skill floor. These templates are built on what actually moves curators—specificity, relevance, and respect for their time. Use them as starting points, never as copy-paste submissions.
Spotify for Artists Editorial Submission
Submitting directly through Spotify for Artists dashboard for consideration on editorial playlists. Timing: 4–6 weeks before release date minimum.
[ARTIST NAME] – [TRACK TITLE] Release date: [DATE] Genre: [GENRE] Production credits: [PRODUCER NAMES] Context: [TRACK] sits between [REFERENCE ARTIST 1] and [REFERENCE ARTIST 2]. It was written [BRIEF CREATION CONTEXT – e.g., 'during sessions in Nashville' or 'produced entirely on a modular synth']. The narrative explores [THEME IN ONE SENTENCE]. Playlist fit: Best suited for [2–3 SPECIFIC SPOTIFY EDITORIAL PLAYLIST NAMES]. The production mirrors the space occupied by [EXISTING SUCCESSFUL TRACK], and the vocal sits at the same emotional register as [REFERENCE]. Brief bio: [ARTIST NAME] is a [GENRE] artist based in [CITY] with [KEY ACHIEVEMENT – e.g., 'radio play on BBC Radio 1' or 'support from indie tastemakers including…']. [PREVIOUS RELEASE] reached [METRIC]. Links: Spotify pre-save | YouTube link | Lyrics video (if available)
Spotify editorial reads hundreds of these weekly. The reference artist comparison is critical—make it two artists, not five. Avoid 'fresh', 'vibrant', 'unique'. Mention BBC Radio play only if genuine. Keep under 150 words total. If you have sync placements, radio play, or press from tier-one outlets, lead with that.
Independent Curator Cold Outreach – New Discovery
Pitching to established independent playlist curators you've researched. Use only after verifying they update regularly and accept submissions.
Hi [CURATOR NAME], I've followed [PLAYLIST NAME] for a while—I heard [SPECIFIC ARTIST/TRACK YOU NOTICED] in there last month, and [BRIEF OBSERVATION about playlist taste]. I'm pitching [ARTIST NAME]'s new track '[TRACK TITLE]' (out [DATE]). It's [GENRE], produced by [PRODUCER], and lands in the same space as [ARTIST IN THEIR PLAYLIST] but with [ONE DISTINCT ELEMENT]. The energy matches tracks like [SPECIFIC TRACK FROM THEIR PLAYLIST]. Preview link: [DIRECT SPOTIFY OR APPLE MUSIC LINK] Let me know if it's a fit. If not, no problem—happy to stay in touch for future releases. Cheers, [YOUR NAME] | [ARTIST MANAGEMENT/PR COMPANY]
Naming a specific track from their playlist proves you've listened. Keep it to 80 words. Avoid 'I think your followers will love this' or 'this is a banger'. Use their real name if possible—avoid 'Hi there' or generic openings. Include a direct streaming link, not a SubmitHub form. Wait for response before follow-up (min. 7 days).
SubmitHub Premium Pitch – High Context
Paying for SubmitHub feedback from vetted curators when seeking qualified critique or direct access to hard-to-reach tastemakers.
[ARTIST NAME] – [TRACK TITLE] ([GENRE]) Out [DATE] Produced by [PRODUCER]. [TRACK] explores [THEME] through production inspired by [REFERENCE POINT]. Sonically, we're drawing from [PRODUCTION APPROACH – e.g., 'live session work layered with electronic textures']. This sits well in playlists like [SPECIFIC CURATOR PLAYLIST / EDITORIAL PLAYLIST]. If you dig [ARTIST IN THEIR RECENT PLAYLIST], this track moves in the same direction but [SPECIFIC DIFFERENCE]. We've had support from [IF APPLICABLE: radio play, sync placements, or press]. The artist is based in [LOCATION] and is actively touring/gigging [IF RELEVANT]. Looking for honest feedback on fit and production. Any thoughts welcome. Spotify: [LINK] | Apple Music: [LINK]
SubmitHub credits are expensive—only use for curators with proven feedback history and real listener counts (1K+ followers minimum). Avoid SubmitHub for cold outreach to new curators; use it for second-approach or when feedback is more valuable than immediate placement. Keep descriptors brief and avoid sales language. Expect 10–30% feedback rate even with premium.
SubmitHub Playlist Pitch – Budget-Conscious
Standard SubmitHub pitch when budget is limited or submitting to mid-tier curators. Prioritise clear, factual information.
[ARTIST NAME] – [TRACK TITLE] [GENRE] | Out [DATE] A [GENRE] track from [ARTIST NAME] ([LOCATION]), produced by [PRODUCER]. Best fit: [PLAYLIST CURATOR NAME], [ANOTHER CURATOR PLAYLIST]. Spotify: [LINK]
SubmitHub's 140-character limit on many fields forces brevity. Lean on metadata and Spotify link; curators will preview directly. Use this format when cost per submission is your constraint. Higher volume, lower personalisation. Don't expect detailed feedback at this tier. Accept 5–15% response rate.
Follow-Up Pitch – Seven Days Post-Initial Contact
Re-engaging curators who haven't responded to first outreach. Use after 1 week of silence only.
Hi [CURATOR NAME], Quick follow-up on [TRACK TITLE] by [ARTIST NAME]—I sent this over last week. No pressure at all if the timing isn't right, but wanted to flag the release is [DATE], so [TIMEFRAME – e.g., '2 weeks out now']. If you get a moment to listen, I'd welcome your thoughts. Either way, thanks for considering. Cheers, [YOUR NAME]
Keep follow-ups to 40 words. Acknowledge silence respectfully; never assume they read the first message. Don't resend the full pitch—assume they have it. Only follow up once. If no response after second contact, move on.
Post-Rejection or Non-Response – Future Relationship
Maintaining curator relationships after a no or silence, positioning yourself for future submissions.
Hi [CURATOR NAME], No worries on the last track—totally get it. I listen to [PLAYLIST NAME] regularly and reckon you'll dig what [ARTIST NAME] is working on next. I'll be in touch around [TIMEFRAME, e.g., 'April'] with something that might sit better. Keep up the brilliant curation. Cheers, [YOUR NAME]
Curators remember people who take rejections well. This keeps the door open without being desperate. Mention the playlist by name to show genuine listening. Wait at least 2–3 months before pitching this artist again, or pitch a different artist sooner if you have one that's a better fit for their taste.
Algorithmic Strategy Message – Label/Manager Internal
Not a pitch template, but guidance for your team on when editorial pitching is secondary to algorithmic seeding.
Pitching strategy for [ARTIST NAME] – [TRACK TITLE] **Editorial targeting (curated playlists):** Key playlists: [LIST] Target curators: [NAMES] Submission date: [DATE] **Algorithmic seeding (paid + organic):** • Pre-release: [SPOTIFY FOR ARTISTS focus + playlist adds from owned playlists] • Release week: [PRIMARY RELEASE FOCUS] • Weeks 2–4: [Editorial follows algorithmic momentum] **Realistic expectations:** Editorial decisions lag algorithmic uptake by 2–4 weeks. Pitch 4–6 weeks out, but don't rely on editorial for first 500K streams. Build organic/paid velocity first, then curators follow.
This is internal communication, not a curator pitch. Use it to align team on timeline and realistic ROI from editorial vs. algorithmic spend. Many new artists expect editorial placement to drive streams; it amplifies existing momentum instead.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I submit to Spotify editorial?
Minimum 4 weeks before release; 6 weeks is better. Spotify editorial operates on a long lead time and reviews submissions in batches. Submitting 2 weeks out is too late. If your artist has strong prior metrics (100K+ monthly listeners), you can compress to 3 weeks, but don't count on it.
What's the difference between pitching to Spotify editorial vs. independent curators?
Spotify editorial (Rap Caviar, New Music Friday, etc.) requires submission through Spotify for Artists and considers artist metrics, radio play, and press. Independent curators decide based on taste and playlist coherence. Pitching independent curators is more direct and personal; response rates are higher if you find active, responsive curators. Spotify editorial is harder to move but bigger reach. Do both, but don't expect Spotify editorial placement to happen quickly or often.
Is SubmitHub worth the cost?
Conditionally. SubmitHub is useful for accessing curators who don't respond to cold outreach and for getting honest feedback. However, most responses are rejections with minimal detail. Reserve SubmitHub credits for curators with 5K+ followers and proven feedback rates. For initial outreach to independent curators, use direct email or Instagram DMs first—it's free and often more effective. SubmitHub is a safety net, not a primary strategy.
How do I find independent curators who actually update their playlists?
Search Spotify for playlists in your genre, sort by 'updated recently', and check the follower count and last update date. Follow curators on Instagram or Twitter if available. Check if they have a website or SubmitHub profile with a response rate listed. Avoid curators with 50K+ followers but no visible update history—they're likely inactive. Aim for 1K–10K followers with weekly updates; these curators are responsive and influential within niche communities.
Should I personalise every pitch or use templates?
Use templates as structure, personalise the execution. Every pitch should mention a specific track from their playlist and explain why your song fits—that's non-negotiable. The production context and reference artists can be consistent across pitches to the same genre. Avoid identical copy; curators spot it instantly. Spend time on the opening line; generic openers are ignored.
How many times should I pitch the same track to the same curator?
Once per curator, with one follow-up 7 days later if no response. That's it. If they say no, ask if there's a better time or format, then move on. Wait at least 3 months before pitching them again—and only with a different track that's a better fit. Pestering curators burns bridges and gets you blocked or marked as spam.
What metrics should I include in a pitch?
Only real metrics: monthly listeners, previous playlist adds, BBC Radio play, press coverage from recognised outlets (Pitchfork, The Guardian, NME). Avoid vanity metrics like total streams or TikTok views unless they're exceptional (1M+). If your artist has under 10K monthly listeners, don't lead with metrics; lead with production quality and playlist fit instead.
Should I mention budget or payment to independent curators?
No. Never. It's both unprofessional and against Spotify's terms of service. Independent curators who accept payment are either running schemes that Spotify will remove or are losing credibility. If a curator asks for payment, decline and report them to Spotify. Focus on genuine playlist fit and curation quality.
What's the realistic response rate for cold pitching independent curators?
8–15% for well-researched, personalised pitches to active curators. Lower (2–5%) for batch pitches. Expect 20–30% rejection or non-response rate even if pitches are solid. Curators are inundated. Your job is to be specific enough that curators recognise their playlist in your message and clear enough that they can preview in under 30 seconds.
Is it better to pitch before or after release?
Before release, if you have time. Pre-release pitches let curators add you to playlists that launch on or near release day, which helps algorithmic performance. Post-release pitches work too but have lower priority; curators assume you're already out and losing momentum. If you're pitching post-release, frame it as 'still gaining traction' with specific evidence (recent playlist adds, radio play, press).
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