Why Artists Should be Creating Their Own Playlists

Playlists are the heartbeat of music discovery on streaming platforms. They're how listeners find new music, explore different moods, and soundtrack their lives. But playlists aren't just for fans – they're a powerful tool for artists too.

Creating your own playlists can boost your visibility, connect you with new listeners, and even strengthen your relationship with your existing fanbase. Think of it as crafting your own sonic world, a curated collection of tracks that reflects your musical tastes and influences.

What is an Artist Playlist?

An artist playlist is simply a playlist created by a musician. It can feature their own music alongside tracks from other artists they love, creating a unique listening experience that reflects their musical identity.

We are going to focus on these two platforms:

• Spotify: On an artist's profile, scroll down to the "Featured Playlists" section.
• YouTube Music: Go to an artist's channel and check the "Playlists" tab.

Reasons to Create Your Own Playlists

• Keep fans buzzed and engaged: Offer fresh content between releases and keep your audience entertained.
• Full control over the listening experience: Craft a sonic journey that reflects your unique taste and style.
• Introduce fans to new and old tracks: Showcase your latest releases alongside deep cuts from your catalog.
• Align with similar and larger artists: Include tracks from artists you admire, potentially exposing your music to their fans.
• Boost your branding and SEO: Use keywords in your playlist titles and descriptions to improve searchability.
• Drive traffic to your own music: Strategically place your own tracks within the playlist to gain more streams and followers.

How to Make an Artist Playlist:

Spotify

1. Open the Spotify app and go to "Your Library."
2. Tap "Create Playlist" and give it a name.
3. Search for tracks you want to add and tap the "+" button next to each song.
4. Add a description and cover image to your playlist.
5. Add the playlist to your Spotify Artist Profile. Log in to artists.spotify.com.
6. Click View Profile in the top-left.
7. Click + under Artist Playlists.
8. Search for the playlist or paste a Spotify link.
9. Share your playlist on social media and with your fans.

YouTube Music

1. Open the YouTube Music app and go to "Library."
2. Tap "New Playlist" and give it a name.
3. Search for tracks you want to add and tap the "+" button next to each song.
4. Add a description to your playlist.
5. Share your playlist on social media and with your fans.

Ready to curate your own sonic world?

Head back to the un:hurd app to discover more tools and resources for playlist creation and music promotion.

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