Submitting your music to Apple Music playlists can be a great way to get your music heard by a wider audience. With millions of users, Apple Music is one of the largest music streaming platforms in the world, and being featured on a popular playlist can help you gain new fans and increase your streams.
To submit your music to Apple Music playlists, you will need to work with a distributor or a label that has access to the Apple Music for Artists platform. This platform allows you to track your streams and sales, as well as submit your music for playlist consideration.
Once you have access to the platform, you can submit your music to editorial playlists curated by Apple Music’s team of experts, or pitch your music directly to independent curators who create their own playlists. It’s important to note that not all submissions will be accepted, so it’s a good idea to focus on creating high-quality music and building relationships with curators who are a good fit for your style.
Understanding Apple Music Playlists
Apple Music playlists are curated collections of songs that are put together by Apple’s editorial team or by independent curators. These playlists are organized by genre, mood, activity, and more, making it easier for users to discover new music that fits their tastes and preferences.
Apple Music playlists are a great way for artists to get their music in front of new listeners and gain exposure. If your song is added to a popular playlist, it can lead to more streams, downloads, and fans.
To submit your music to Apple Music playlists, you need to use a distributor such as Amuse or TuneCore to upload your music to the Apple Music platform. Once your music is available on Apple Music, you can pitch your songs to Apple’s editorial team or to independent curators who manage their own playlists.
It’s important to note that not all submitted songs will be added to Apple Music playlists. The editorial team and independent curators are looking for high-quality, original music that fits the theme and mood of their playlists. Therefore, it’s important to do your research and find playlists that match your music style and genre.
Apple Music playlists are a great way to get your music in front of new listeners and gain exposure. By understanding how playlists work and pitching your songs to the right curators, you can increase your chances of getting your music added to popular playlists and reaching a wider audience.
Creating Your Music Profile
Creating a music profile on Apple Music is an essential step to get your music heard by the right people. Here’s how to create your profile:
- Open the Apple Music app and go to the “For You” section.
- Tap on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Select “Edit” to customize your profile.
- Add a profile picture, bio, and social media links to your profile.
Your profile picture should be high-quality and visually represent your music. Your bio should be concise and informative, highlighting your unique sound and achievements. Don’t forget to add links to your social media accounts to connect with your fans.
Once you’ve created your profile, you can start sharing your music with the world. You can create playlists, share your favorite songs, and connect with other artists and fans.
In addition, Apple Music offers a feature called “Friends Mix,” which creates a playlist of songs your friends are currently listening to. By connecting with your friends on Apple Music, you can increase your exposure to new listeners.
creating a music profile on Apple Music is a simple but crucial step in getting your music heard. Take the time to create a compelling profile that represents your music and connects with your audience.
Preparing Your Music for Submission
Before submitting your music to Apple Music playlists, you need to make sure that it meets certain quality standards and metadata requirements. Here are the details:
Quality Standards
Apple Music has strict quality standards for the music it accepts for playlists. Your music must meet the following requirements:
- Bitrate: The minimum bitrate for music files is 256 kbps AAC.
- Audio Format: Your music must be in AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, or ALAC format.
- Mastering: Your music should be properly mastered to ensure that it sounds great on all devices.
- Volume: Your music should not be too loud or too quiet. It should be at a consistent volume throughout the track.
- Clipping: Your music should not clip or distort.
Metadata Requirements
In addition to meeting quality standards, your music must also have the correct metadata. Metadata is the information that describes your music, such as the artist name, album title, and track name. Here are the metadata requirements:
- Artist Name: Your artist name should be consistent across all tracks.
- Album Title: If your music is part of an album, the album title should be consistent across all tracks.
- Track Name: Each track should have a unique and descriptive name.
- ISRC: Each track should have a unique International Standard Recording Code (ISRC).
- Cover Art: Your music should have high-quality cover art that meets Apple Music’s specifications.
Make sure to double-check all of your metadata before submitting your music to Apple Music playlists. Incorrect or missing metadata can cause your music to be rejected.
Submitting Your Music
Submitting your music to Apple Music playlists can be a great way to get your music heard by a wider audience. Here are the steps you need to follow to submit your tracks to Apple Music playlists.
Uploading Your Tracks
Before you can submit your music to Apple Music playlists, you need to upload your tracks to Apple Music. You can upload your music directly to Apple Music and iTunes through the iTunes Connect platform. However, there are some minimum requirements that you must meet to be able to do so. You must have a US Tax ID, a valid iTunes Store account, including an Apple ID, with a credit card on file.
Alternatively, you can use a music distributor to upload your music to Apple Music. Music distributors offer additional services such as publishing and performance rights management, promotional services, lyrics delivery, metadata translation, and more. Some popular music distributors include DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby.
Selecting Playlists
Once your music is uploaded to Apple Music, you can start selecting playlists to submit your music to. Apple Music has a wide range of playlists, including genre-specific playlists, mood-based playlists, and more. You can submit your music to these playlists through the Apple Music for Artists platform.
To submit your music to Apple Music playlists, log in to the Apple Music for Artists platform and select the “Promote” tab. From there, you can select the track you want to promote and choose the playlists you want to submit it to. You can also create a personalized message to the curators of the playlist to introduce yourself and your music.
It’s important to note that not all submissions will be accepted, and it may take some time for you to hear back from the curators. However, by following these steps and submitting your music to a variety of playlists, you can increase your chances of getting your music heard by a wider audience.
Following Up After Submission
After submitting your music to Apple Music playlists, the waiting game begins. But that doesn’t mean you should just sit back and do nothing. There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of getting your music selected.
Monitoring Your Submission
The first thing you should do after submitting your music is to monitor your submission. Keep an eye on your email inbox for any updates from Apple Music. If you don’t hear back from them after a few weeks, don’t be afraid to follow up with them. You can do this by sending them a friendly email asking for an update on your submission.
Engaging with Playlist Curators
Engaging with playlist curators is another way to increase your chances of getting your music selected. You can do this by reaching out to them on social media or through email. However, it’s important to remember that playlist curators receive a lot of messages from artists, so you need to make sure your message stands out.
Here are a few tips for engaging with playlist curators:
- Be friendly and personable
- Keep your message short and to the point
- Mention why you think your music would be a good fit for their playlist
- Provide a link to your music
Remember, the key is to be genuine and not come across as spammy or pushy. If you do get a response from a playlist curator, be sure to thank them for their time and consideration.
By monitoring your submission and engaging with playlist curators, you can increase your chances of getting your music selected for Apple Music playlists. Good luck!
Promoting Your Music on Apple Music
Promoting your music on Apple Music is an essential part of making sure your tracks get heard by as many people as possible. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Using Social Media
Social media can be a powerful tool for promoting your music. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram can help you connect with your fans and build a following. Here are some tips for using social media to promote your music on Apple Music:
- Share links to your tracks on Apple Music: Whenever you release a new track, make sure to share a link to it on your social media accounts. This will help your fans find your music on Apple Music and stream it directly from the platform.
- Share behind-the-scenes content: Fans love to see what goes on behind the scenes of their favorite artists. Share photos, videos, and other content that gives your fans a glimpse into your creative process.
- Engage with your fans: Respond to comments and messages from your fans. This will help you build a connection with your audience and keep them engaged with your music.
Engaging with Your Audience
Engaging with your audience is key to building a following on Apple Music. Here are some tips for engaging with your fans:
- Respond to comments and messages: Whenever a fan leaves a comment or sends you a message, make sure to respond. This will help you build a connection with your audience and show them that you value their support.
- Host Q&A sessions: Consider hosting Q&A sessions on social media or other platforms. This will give your fans a chance to ask you questions and get to know you better.
- Collaborate with other artists: Collaborating with other artists can help you reach new audiences and build your fanbase. Look for other artists who have a similar sound or style, and consider reaching out to them to see if they would be interested in collaborating on a track.
By using social media and engaging with your audience, you can build a following on Apple Music and increase the visibility of your music.
