Having a presence in the online world today is essential if you want to have a career in the music industry. Hence, getting an artist profile, regardless of the platform, is one of the first challenges that must be faced. It’s not just about obtaining the long-awaited verification, but about having access to a whole series of interesting advantages. A few weeks ago we saw it through the example of the Official Artist Channel on YouTube and today it is Spotify for Artists ‘ turn.
What is Spotify for Artists?
It is a completely free analytical tool that offers a personalized panel from which you can manage an artist profile. In fact, the platform itself defines Spotify for Artists as a “powerful set of tools to help you find your audience and maximize your presence“. Sounds good, doesn’t it? But you may be wondering which tools it exactly refers to, let’s see some of them.
–Artist’s Pick: This feature allows you to feature a song, album, playlist, podcast or concert on your profile. You can use it to highlight your own music or another artist’s. This highlight is kept for 14 days, after which it disappears. Also, you can add an image and a short message.
–Audience: this function offers you different metrics about your audience. Who are they (gender, age) , where they’re from and how they listen to their music. You can also find out the number of plays of your music divided into listeners, monthly listeners and followers.
–Playlists: through this feature you can pitch your music to be included in one of the official playlists curated by the Spotify team. You can also feature your own playlists or find out which playlists your music has been added to.
–Support Fund: this feature allows you to raise funds from fans through Spotify. The collection can be for you and your musical project or for any cause or organization you collaborate with.
–Concerts: this feature allows you to announce all the dates of your next performances. But keep in mind that Spotify does not have agreements with all the ticket holders.
–Merchandising: through Merchbar this feature shows your merchandising items available for sale. You should know that there is a limitation, so it will only show up to a maximum of three.
–Marquee: this feature allows you to manage everything related to the sponsored recommendation of new releases.
How to get Spotify for Artists?
The request for your artist profile can be done both through the website artists.spotify.com and the mobile app. Access the Get Access tab and make the claim through your artist name or url. Remember that in order to have Spotify for Artists you must first have music available on the platform. If you haven’t personally uploaded your music, someone on your team, the record company, or the distributor probably did. In that case it is possible that your artist profile already exists and that you only need access. To get it, contact the person who has the data and ask them to send an invitation.
Once you have access to Spotify for Artists it is essential that you dedicate time to your profile. Do not forget that it is your cover letter to your fans, and to anyone who is curious about your music. You must ensure that it fits with your personal brand and identity, that it be natural and humble but at the same time attract attention.
–Images: choose high-quality images for both the avatar and the header. Remember that you can also add an image gallery in the “About” section.
–Biography: use up to a maximum of 1,500 characters to introduce yourself and your music. Don’t forget that you can use tags to link to other artists, albums, songs, and playlists on Spotify. Also do not forget to add links to your social networks.
–Artist’s Pick: concerts, merchandising: explore all the possibilities offered by the features of Spotify for Artists and incorporate them into your profile.
Why use Spotify for Artists?
-Because you directly control your presence on the platform.
-Because you know exactly who your fans are and where they are. Location is one of the most interesting data you can get, especially when it comes to scheduling tours and performances.
-Because you can connect better with the audience now that you know them in depth. And also with other artists creating powerful networking links.
-Because you can study the metrics of your music and know what and who likes it the most. Knowing what the market demands puts you in a privileged position.
-Because you can design marketing strategies focused on concrete and specific objectives and targets.