Want to get your music on playlists? Make your own

As an indie artist, a great (and often overlooked) way to promote your music is to make your own playlist.

It’s easy, low-cost (or free), and—most importantly—you're in control.

You’re not paying to pitch your track into a void of curators. You’re not risking fake streams, bots, or possibly having your music taken down altogether.

You’re putting your music in context—next to tracks that say something about who you are and where you’re coming from.

It’s slow, but steady. And it’s one of the few playlisting strategies that actually builds value over time.

Here’s how to do it—and why it works.

Why artist-curated playlists are a smart move

When you build and promote your own playlist, a few important things happen:

• You stay in control: No third-party platforms, no unexpected takedowns, no shady stream sources. It’s your playlist, your rules.
• You set the tone: A playlist is more than just a collection of tracks—it’s a mood. When you surround your song with others in a similar space, you’re giving new listeners the right context.
• You create something lasting: If a listener follows your playlist, they’re not just responding to one song. They’re opting into a sound, a vibe, a lane that you’re curating and evolving.

This strategy isn’t about chasing placements. It’s about building your own.

Step-by-step: how to make it work

1. Build a great playlist

Start with intention. This is curation—not a dump of your recent listens.

• Pick a specific theme: Instead of something broad like “Cinematic Electronica,” try “Analog dread and haunted melodies” or “Dusty synths and slow-burn tension.” Being specific—and a little poetic—helps your playlist stand out.
• Include 20–30 tracks: Long enough to feel immersive, short enough to stay digestible.
• Add your own songs naturally: Place your tracks in the first few spots -and interspersed. But don’t overdo it. One or two placements is plenty if the playlist delivers a strong vibe overall.

Which account should I use?

If you’re wondering whether to build playlists from your artist profile or a personal account—go with your artist profile.

It keeps everything connected: your profile, your releases, and your playlists all in one place. That way, when someone finds your playlist and clicks through to see who made it, they land right on your artist page—not a disconnected personal account.

It also makes things cleaner when you’re linking playlists from your site or smartlink, and it reinforces the idea that you’re building a curated world around your music—not just sharing songs you like.

2. Make it look intentional

You want people to feel like they’ve stumbled onto something crafted—not thrown together.

• Custom cover art: Upload a square image (300x300px or larger). Make sure that it matches the tone of the music.
• Write a short description: One or two sentences that set the mood. Mention a few recognizable artists for reference.
• Update it regularly: Weekly or every other week gives you a reason to reshare it—and fans a reason to follow.

3. Share it like a fan, not just a promoter

• Talk about the overall vibe: Make it about discovery, not just self-promotion. Highlight the artists you’ve included. It's about selling the mood.
• Tag featured artists: This gives you a great shot at a reshare—or a conversation. Even a small interaction can start something bigger.
• Add it to your smartlinks and artist site: Let curious listeners find it easily. Don’t bury it in a post once and forget about it.

Build community while you promote

One of the most underrated parts of this strategy? It opens doors.

When you include other artists—especially those in your genre or on a similar path—and tag them, you’re showing up with something generous and useful. That kind of curation gets noticed.

It’s not just about exposure. It can lead to:

• Playlist swaps
• Cross-promotion
• Show invites or tour spots
• Future collaborations

It’s not guaranteed, but it happens. Especially when you develop real connections.

Think of it less like marketing, and more like building a small ecosystem around the kind of music you love.

4. Promote the playlist with ads

If the playlist is solid, it’s worth putting some promo behind it.

• Create a short Reel or Story using one of the tracks: Yours or someone else’s—whatever sets the tone and gets people listening.
• Write a short hook: Something like-

"Sinister synths, slow dread, and fog-drenched textures. For fans of Goblin, Carpenter, and eerie late-night scores."

• Target fans of the artists you’ve included: Meta Ads Manager lets you build precise audiences. Focus on the right listeners, not just the biggest reach.
• Track what matters: Are people clicking through? Following the playlist? Saving your track? Those are the metrics that matter.

Never run an ad before? Here’s a full walkthrough to get you started:
How to promote your music with Instagram ads (step by step)

This is the long game

This isn’t a gimmick. It’s not a growth hack. It's a solid, sustainable way to promote your music and make something that grows over time.

A good playlist doesn’t just get your music heard—it gives people a reason to come back, and a way to discover who you are through the artists and sounds you connect with.

It’s a way to build your audience. It’s a way to build community. And the best part is that it’s completely in your hands.