Meta Description: Essential checklist for pitching to Spotify Editorial Playlists. Master the timing, pitch narrative, and use Recods’ promo tools to increase your chances of placement.

Landing a spot on a Spotify Editorial Playlist (like RapCaviar or Lofi Beats) can be a career-defining moment. These playlists are curated by Spotify’s in-house editors and can send hundreds of thousands of streams your way.

Here is the essential pitching checklist, focusing on the preparation and narrative needed for a successful submission.

The Pre-Release Checklist (28 Days Out)

Your chances of getting noticed depend entirely on how prepared you are before the pitch.

1. Finalize Your Assets: Ensure your mastered audio and artwork are complete and uploaded to Recods.
2. Set Release Date: Set your distribution date at least 4 weeks (28 days) in advance. You must submit your pitch through Spotify for Artists at least 7 days before the release date.
3. Build Pre-Release Buzz: Use Recods’ free pre-save links to drive initial fan engagement. Editors look for evidence of pre-release momentum.
4. Confirm Metadata: Check that your track is correctly tagged with all co-writers, producers, and ISRC codes.

The Pitch Checklist (Inside Spotify for Artists)

The pitch itself must be clear, professional, and convincing. You only have a limited character count, so every word matters.

Section	Key Action	Why it Matters
Genre	Select up to three specific, accurate genres (e.g., ‘Afro Pop’ rather than just ‘Pop’).	This is the primary filter editors use to find your music.
Subgenre/Vibe	Specify the vibe (e.g., ‘Gym Workout’, ‘Focus’, ‘Driving’).	This places your song into thematic categories that match playlist moods.
Instrumentation	List the key instruments used (e.g., “Muted synth, acoustic guitar, Nigerian drums”).	Helps editors understand the production quality and unique sound.
Pitch Narrative (The Message)	Write a brief, personalized note (max 500 characters) covering these points:	This is the most critical step.
	1. The Hook: Why is this song unique? (e.g., “A modern fusion of Amapiano and UK Garage.”)	Stand out from the thousands of submissions.
	2. The Context: What is the song about? What is the story?	Provides emotional connection for the editor.
	3. Your Momentum: Mention recent success (e.g., “Gained 5k followers last month, 50k streams on the last single.”)	Shows the editor that your career is trending upward.

Post-Pitch Strategy

Once pitched, you cannot edit the submission. Focus on driving traffic to the pre-save link and preparing your social media campaign. Use your Recods Advanced Analytics dashboard to track when your song is added to algorithmic and user-created playlists. This organic performance is often a signal editors look for.