How Playlists Work
The Game Plan
Playlists reach listeners who already love you, and those who haven't heard you yet. They're the fastest way for new fans to discover your music... So how do they work?
More from The Game Plan
Getting Your Music Up
The Game Plan
Before you do anything else, you've got to get your music up on the platform. Here's everything you need to get started.
What Is Spotify for Artists?
The Game Plan
We've built a powerful suite of tools to help you find your audience and maximize your presence. Here's a rundown of all the tools and features our app has to offer.
Building Your Artist Profile
The Game Plan
Your profile is the first impression you make on your fans. Learn how to spruce things up, with tips and best practices from other artists.
Welcome to The Game Plan
The Game Plan
Welcome to The Game Plan, a new series that gives you everything you need to get the most out of Spotify.
Premium vs. Free
The Game Plan
Premium and free listeners use Spotify in different ways—here's how it all works, and how it affects your career.
How to Read Your Data
The Game Plan
We provide all kinds of data to help you see how you're doing. Here's how to see what playlists you're being added to, and what your fans are into.
Understand Your Audience
The Game Plan
Ever wonder who's hearing your music, and how? This episode gives you all the info you need to understand how your fans are listening.
Planning Your Tour
The Game Plan
Whether it’s mapping out your route or figuring out support slots, getting ready to hit the road involves the right planning and preparation.
Life on the Road
The Game Plan
Artists like TOKiMONSTA, Tei Shi, Trippie Redd, and more offer up tips and tricks for successful tours, including what to bring and how to smooth out any bumps along the way.
Building a Social Media Strategy
The Game Plan
Leaning into who you really are on social media can help you build the right strategy for your next big single, album release, or tour.
Using Spotify Data for Digital Campaigns
The Game Plan
Having good data, and knowing when to use it, helps you reach listeners at the right time and turn them into fans.
Engaging Your Audience
The Game Plan
Now that your profile is up to speed, it's time to start engaging with your audience. Mike Posner, Ella Vos, & Jay Prince walk through the process of connecting with your fans.
The Follow Button
The Game Plan
If you aren't focusing on your followers, you're missing out—it's one of the quickest ways to find your audience. Here's why.
Promoting Your Work
The Game Plan
Once your music is out there, the real work begins. Rick Ross and Troy Carter teach you how to keep the conversation going on and offline.
How to Get Playlisted
The Game Plan
You’re not just making music for yourself—you want to get heard, which means you want to get on playlists. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting your music in front of Spotify's editorial team.
Treating Your Music Like a Business
The Game Plan
From financial planning to operating contracts, setting up a solid foundation can help you take creative risks in the long run. In this ep artist Nick Murphy (fka Chet Faker), and business manager Kristin Lee (Bad Wolves, Thunderpussy) share their tips.
How to Avoid Creative Burnout
The Game Plan
It can be hard to know when to say no, but unplugging to recharge is crucial. Nick Murphy, Olivia O'Brien, Salt Cathedral, and Mike Posner—plus Run The Jewels’ co-manager Amaechi Uzoigwe, and meditation expert Jesse Israel of The Big Quiet offer some tips.
What Is Sync Licensing?
The Game Plan
Music supervisor Matt FX (Broad City), artist Nick Murphy (fka Chet Faker), industry experts break down what you should know when it comes to navigating the nitty gritty details behind sync licensing, and how to be prepared when opportunity knocks.
How Spotify Pays Artists
The Game Plan
What is stream share, how does Spotify calculate how much you're paid, and how is this money split? Spotify experts, Sheryl Crow, and independent artist Rén with the Mane break it all down.
How Royalties Work
The Game Plan
Recording royalties? Publishing royalties? Matt and Kim, Sheryl Crow, and Cienfue weigh in on the importance of royalties and how they work on Spotify whether you're signed to a label or independent. Come to think of it, what are royalties anyway?
How Copyright Works
The Game Plan
Sure, the fine print might be a pain to read, but the details matter, and understanding your rights is 100% necessary. Here's Copyright 101, with Sheryl Crow and Matt & Kim as your guides.
Releasing Music
The Game Plan
Releasing music is an exciting (and nervewracking) process. Good news: There's no rulebook anymore. Here are some innovative ways to put out music in the modern era.
Building Your Team
The Game Plan
The team you surround yourself with is instrumental to your success. Avoid the pitfalls of team building with tips from around the industry, including wisdom from Stephanie LaFera, Troy Carter, Rick Ross, and Mike Posner.