In the ever-evolving world of music, playlist curators, often known as "playlisters," play a pivotal role in shaping what we listen to. They are the unseen conductors of our musical journeys, often determining which tracks rise to popularity and which fade into obscurity. There are primarily three types of playlisters, each driven by unique motivations and strategies. Understanding these types can be crucial for artists and labels seeking to promote their music effectively, and platforms like Songtools are revolutionizing how these connections are made.

1. The Record Label Playlister

For record labels, playlists are strategic tools for promoting their own artists. These curators are selective, prioritizing tracks from their label while being open to including external songs that align perfectly with their aesthetic or might interest them for future signings. Their primary goal is to grow the audience for their artists, often through mutually beneficial track exchanges with other labels in the same genre. For artists under these labels, getting featured on such playlists can be a significant career boost.

Some examples of “Record Label Playlisters” that partner with Playlister.Club include:

‍Soave Records: Their smooth and tender tunes have captured the ears of millions of fans, across their many channels like YouTube, SoundCloud, Spotify and Deezer, making them the “home for chill house music.”
Cloudkid: A loyal face to up-and-coming artists, CloudKid serves as a “creative outlet created to support thriving undiscovered talent.” Now a record label, they keep their +5M listeners dreaming in the clouds.

2. The Professional Playlister

Some curators start as casual playlist creators, but their exceptional taste in music and curatorial skills lead to a massive following, turning them into professional playlisters. They invest significant time and resources in promoting their playlists and meticulously selecting tracks that resonate with their audience. These curators are more open to exploring new music, making them a vital target for artists looking to gain exposure.

An example of a “Professional Playlister” that partners with Playlister.Club is: 

‍‍Robaer. He’s assembled most of his following through his masterful taste in EDM & House music. He highlights the best of each genre, focusing around new releases.

3. The Artist Playlister

Arguably the most logical type of playlister: artists themselves! This is a huge pro-tip for all artists out there invest time and energy into creating playlists. There are two main types of playlists you can create as an artist. 1) A “this is” or discography playlist, where you include your entire discography for fans to dive into. 2) A “vibe” or “inspiration” playlist, that you can share songs that inspired a recent release, or that influence your creation process as an artist. Having a playlist in your promo toolkit as an artist can be an invaluable way to trade with other playlisters, and create exposure for your releases, all on your own. 

Some examples of “Artist Playlisters” that partner with Playlister.Club include: 

R3HAB: World-renowned DJ and producer, R3HAB, saw a rise to fame in the early days of electronic music for his undeniable talent. Now also a curator, he’s placed over 3k songs in Playlister Club. His playlists give listeners a sense of connection to his live sets.
The FifthGuys: Self-described as “two Italians cooking beats better than pizza,” The FifthGuys are not joking - they’ve accumulated +0.7M followers across all their Spotify playlists. Their mood-based playlists boost motivation that keep listeners going.

Songtools: Bridging the Gap Between Artists and Playlisters

When it comes to getting music onto these influential playlists, Playlister.Club is a game-changer. While professional playlisters are generally more receptive to unsolicited submissions, they are constantly overwhelmed with artists soliciting them; Playlister.Club solves this problem and opens doors to all three types of curators. It leverages sophisticated algorithms to enhance the compatibility between a track and a playlister’s preferences. This approach maximizes the chances of a song fitting seamlessly into a curator's playlist.

This efficiency not only benefits the playlisters but also provides artists and labels with a more effective way to pitch their music.

It is no wonder that more than one million tracks have been placed onto playlists using Songtools…