Last month, we gave some tips on the best way to get your music scheduled for proper distribution on Spotify and other platforms. This week we’ll cover some tips on how to grow your fanbase and engage with Spotify followers. As well as helping you increase your stream and follower counts, these tips will help you to you connect with your fans and other artists a personal level, and utilizing the platform beyond just another streaming tool.
Cross Linking
If you have a website, you can embed a ‘Spotify Follow’ button. It’s a great way to enable fans to instantly follow you on Spotify at the press of a button, without leaving your own site. Copy your profile URL, and paste it into the Spotify button generator here.
Speaking of which… follow us for playlists?
While you’re at it, be sure to list your Spotify page on your Facebook profile and other social media sites. Cross-linking your Spotify and other social media accounts with each other helps fans follow you on all platforms, and aids in search engine optimization for your website. You can also embed Spotify playlists (such as your latest single or album) directly on to your site.
Remember while Spotify may be one of the hottest in the game, it’s far from the only one – cross linking applies for many of your largest platforms, which might include Apple Music, Bandcamp, Amazon, Tidal, Pandora… your needs (and where you want to drive traffic) will vary based on your audience. ConsumerAdvocates provides a great break-down of streaming services!
Featured Playlists & Building Playlists
Using Spotify Artists online portal, be sure to fill out your artist profile, and regularly update your “Artist’s Pick” section, where you can highlight upcoming show dates, or playlists.
Building playlists is an easy and fun way to connect with your fans. By featuring a playlist on your band profile (you’ll need to build with an existing Spotify account, then select it within the Spotify Artists page) you’re able to promote your own music, or create playlists that provide a blend of music that you love. Curating a list of music you’ve been enjoying – perhaps with track or two of your own mixed in – is a great way to connect with other bands and artists beyond your own work. Consider creating a playlist with local artists or acts you’ve performed with – it’s a great shareable for social media, and encourages new music discovery.
Collaborative Playlists
Keep an eye out for Collaborative Playlists, where you can submit tracks to (after following the playlist). Make sure that your suggested track fits the playlists genre and mood; if the description doesn’t have a clear invitation, you might want to contact the curator before adding. Be kind, and don’t over-suggest every track of yours. We recommend limiting your submissions to three or less, unless noted.
As with curating your own playlists, you could also start your own collaborative playlist, encouraging fans or fellow bands to add their own selections to it. As the playlist gets more followers, many will begin to follow your band in the process!
Show Promotion
As well as music streaming, Spotify offers the ability to connect with Songkick and other partnered ticketing partners to help promote your shows all in one place. This is a great way to keep your fans updated with your upcoming performances, and it automatically will be personalized to show concerts local to them first.
Engage with your fans
Reach out to your fans and encourage them to share your songs and add them to playlists! Not only will this further your reach, it also helps to connect with your listeners, and make them feel a personal involvement in your journey as an artist.
Be sure to get your fans to follow you on Spotify. This way, they’ll automatically get your music in their weekly ‘Release Radar’ playlist and be notified as soon as your release new music.
Remember that it’s not just about uploading your music and hoping or assuming people will hear it. You have to be proactive and be working on fresh and exciting ways to engage with your fans. Make sure everything you create and put out there falls in line with the message behind the music you make: create a world where your listeners feel a personal connection to you and what you’re doing. Good luck!
