Marketing
SpinPromo.Club Review: Is It Worth It?
As indie artists, we’re always looking for ways to get our music in front of the right listeners. With so many playlist promotion platforms out there, it can be tough to know which ones will actually deliver meaningful results. Enter SpinPromo.club, a relatively new player in the game that combines traditional playlist promotion with Spotify ads — a unique approach that I've never seen before.
I decided to test SpinPromo to see if their two-part approach is really as effective as they claim. Here’s my honest review, weighing up the pros, cons, and whether it’s worth your investment in 2024.
What is SpinPromo?
SpinPromo’s big selling point is its hybrid approach to Spotify promotion. Instead of simply placing your music on playlists, they combine Spotify playlist placements with native Spotify ads, designed to target listeners who are most likely to engage with your music.
The campaign is split into two phases:
- Playlist Placement: Your song is added to relevant playlists with real, active listeners, leading to a noticeable increase in streams and monthly listeners.
- Spotify Ads: After your song gains traction through playlists, SpinPromo runs targeted Spotify ads to maximize listener retention and engagement.
This dual approach promises better engagement than traditional playlisting services and aims to deliver long-term growth by exposing your music to a larger, more targeted audience. But it is just another duck egg for indie musicians to waste money on?
My Experience with SpinPromo
I tested SpinPromo by running a campaign for one of my recent singles—a genre-bending track that I wanted to get in front of post-punk / new wave / indie rock music fans. I opted for their mid-tier package, priced at around $600. Here’s what happened:
Phase 1: Playlist Placements
Within a week, my track was placed on 7 playlists, with a combined follower count of around 227,000 followers. Surprisingly, these were mostly high-quality, relevant playlists full of the typical post-punk and new wave stalwarts (oh look, another playlist kicking off with The Human League) and not random lists full of fellow unsigned artists that stumped up their cash for a feature. There was one almost laughable placement on a playlist titled "Gym Workout 2024" - my music definitely isn't for those hitting the gym - but overall the placement targeting was pretty damn solid. I also saw a pretty significant boost in streams from these lists, with 28,819 streams counted from my placements within the first two weeks.
Phase 2: Spotify Ads
A few days after the final playlist placement went live, I received an email from SpinPromo telling me they were now transitioning to the Spotify ads phase. I was skeptical at first, namely because I've always found Spotify ads to be super expensive with low-quality results (you can read my full review here). But hey, I'd paid my cash and now it was time to see if their "dual promo" strategy actually works.
And surprisingly... it did.
Now, I'm not sure exactly how SpinPromo used my playlist data to target ad audiences (when pressed, one of their support agents told me it's based on API data and wouldn't reveal any more), but I can say that the results were very solid (compared to my attempts at running ads, at least).
By the end of Phase 2, I'd seen a noticeable increase in song saves (+304) and profile follows (+86). But more impressively, this engagement continued well beyond the "official" end of the campaign. At the time of writing, I'm still seeing streams, saves and follows coming through which I can only attribute to SpinPromo's work.
Pros of SpinPromo
After testing the platform, I found several areas where SpinPromo shines:
1. High Engagement and Real Listeners
SpinPromo isn’t just about boosting your stream numbers for a short period. The high engagement from real listeners made a huge difference in my overall growth. My save rate was much higher than with other services, meaning that listeners were genuinely connecting with my track.
2. Dual Approach for Maximum Reach
The combination of playlist placements and Spotify ads gives your track exposure from two different angles. Playlists get your song in front of the right audience, and then ads push it even further to the right listeners. This hybrid approach delivered better, more sustained results compared to other services I’ve used.
3. Consistent Growth Even After the Campaign
One of the most impressive things about SpinPromo is that my streams and engagement didn’t drop off after the campaign ended. Unlike other platforms where your numbers shoot up and then plummet once the promotion stops, SpinPromo’s dual strategy actually resulted in consistent streams and monthly listener growth even weeks after the campaign was over.
Cons of SpinPromo
While SpinPromo offers impressive results, there is one key drawback to consider:
1. Higher Pricing
SpinPromo’s hybrid approach comes at a cost. Their packages are slightly more expensive than other playlist promotion platforms, with prices starting around $300. For indie artists on a tight budget, this might feel like a significant investment.
Is SpinPromo Worth It in 2024?
In a word: yes.
While SpinPromo might be more expensive than other playlist promotion platforms, it offers far better engagement and long-term growth from my experience. For artists who are serious about growing their audience and building lasting momentum, the investment is well worth it.
Who Should Use SpinPromo?
- Indie artists with a marketing budget who want high-quality playlist placements combined with Spotify ads for maximum reach.
- Musicians who are looking for consistent listener engagement and long-term growth, not just a temporary spike in streams.
- Artists in niche genres who need targeted promotion to reach the right audience.
Who Should Avoid SpinPromo?
- Newer artists on a tight budget who may not be able to afford SpinPromo’s higher pricing.
- Musicians looking for a quick and cheap boost—SpinPromo is more about sustained growth than a quick, short-term spike.
Final Thoughts
The dual approach of playlist placements and targeted Spotify ads makes SpinPromo really stand out in a crowded market that often overpromises and underdelivers. The higher price point might be a hurdle for some, but if you’re looking for real engagement and a lasting increase in streams and followers, SpinPromo is definitely worth considering in 2024.
Why Every Artist Needs an Email List in 2024
You might be thinking, Why bother with email when I can just post on Instagram or TikTok? While social media is a crucial part of your promotional strategy, an email list offers some unique benefits that other platforms simply can’t match.
1. You Own Your Audience
Unlike social media, where the platform controls who sees your content, your email list belongs to you. Algorithms can’t limit your reach, and you’re not at the mercy of a third-party platform. Once someone’s on your list, you can contact them directly whenever you want.
2. Higher Engagement
Email has much higher engagement rates than social media. People are more likely to open, read, and act on emails compared to posts on social platforms. Plus, emails feel more personal—your fans have actively chosen to hear from you, which means they’re more invested in your music.
3. Better for Sales
If you’re planning to sell something—whether it’s tickets, merch, or a new album—email is one of the most effective ways to convert fans into buyers. People are more likely to make purchases through email than through social media posts.
4. Deeper Connection
Emails allow you to build a more personal connection with your audience. You can share stories, behind-the-scenes updates, or exclusive content that helps your fans feel like they’re part of your journey. It’s an intimate form of communication that social media can’t always replicate.
Step 1: How to Start Building Your Email List
Ready to start building your email list? The good news is, it’s easier than you think. Follow these steps to kickstart your list and start growing your fanbase.
1. Choose an Email Service Provider
The first thing you need is an email service provider (ESP). These tools help you collect email addresses, send out campaigns, and track your engagement metrics. Some popular options for indie musicians include:
- Mailchimp: Free for up to 500 subscribers, easy to use, and offers email automation features.
- ConvertKit: Focused on creators and artists, with features like landing pages and automations.
- Substack: A great option if you want to mix email and blogging, as Substack doubles as a platform for both.
- Sendinblue: Offers powerful email marketing tools with free plans and easy-to-use templates.
2. Create a Sign-Up Form
Once you have an ESP, it’s time to create a sign-up form. This is where fans will enter their email addresses to join your list. Most ESPs will give you tools to design and embed forms on your website, landing pages, or even social media profiles.
Make sure your form is simple and clear. Ask for minimal information (just an email is enough) and give fans a reason to sign up. Which brings us to…
Step 2: Give Fans a Reason to Subscribe
No one’s going to sign up just because you ask them to. You need to offer something valuable in return—something that makes your fans excited to hand over their email address.
Here are some effective strategies for enticing fans to join your list:
1. Offer Exclusive Content
People love to feel like they’re getting something special. Offer exclusive content that can’t be found anywhere else. This could be:
- Free music downloads: Give away a free track, demo, or acoustic version to subscribers.
- Behind-the-scenes footage: Share a personal look at your creative process, your recording sessions, or tour life.
- Early access to tickets or releases: Let your email subscribers be the first to know about upcoming shows, new music, or special events.
2. Create a Giveaway or Contest
Giveaways are a tried-and-true way to boost your email list quickly. Offer a prize like a signed vinyl, exclusive merch, or VIP tickets to one of your shows. Fans will enter their email to participate, and you can use this opportunity to grow your list.
3. Offer a Discount
If you have merch or tickets for sale, offering a discount is a great incentive. Something as simple as "Sign up for 10% off your first merch order" can be enough to get fans to subscribe.
Step 3: Promote Your Sign-Up Form Everywhere
Now that you’ve got your sign-up form and a compelling reason for fans to join, it’s time to get the word out. You need to make it easy for people to find your form and sign up.
Here’s how to promote your email list effectively:
1. Put It on Your Website
Your website is the perfect place to host your sign-up form. Add it to the homepage, sidebar, or footer of your site, and include a pop-up that encourages visitors to subscribe.
2. Share on Social Media
Promote your email list regularly on your social media platforms. Post about your giveaway, exclusive content, or any other reason why fans should join your list. Include the sign-up link in your bio or stories to make it easy for them to subscribe.
3. Promote at Live Shows
At live shows, encourage fans to sign up for your email list. You can do this by setting up a physical sign-up sheet at the merch table or displaying a QR code they can scan to subscribe online. Make sure to mention any exclusive perks they’ll get by joining.
4. Include It in Your YouTube or Twitch Channel
If you’re active on video platforms like YouTube or Twitch, make sure to include a link to your email list in the description of your videos or live streams. You can also mention your email list verbally in your content and explain why fans should join.
Step 4: Send Emails That Keep Your Fans Hooked
Once you’ve built your list, the real work begins—sending out emails that keep your fans excited and engaged. But what should you actually send? Here are some ideas to keep your emails fresh and valuable.
1. Share Exclusive Content
If you promised exclusive content, make sure you deliver. This could be anything from early song releases to behind-the-scenes updates. Fans will stay subscribed if they feel like they’re getting something they can’t find elsewhere.
2. Send Personal Updates
Your fans want to know more about you as an artist. Send personal updates about what’s happening in your world—whether it’s life on tour, new music you’re working on, or just what’s been inspiring you lately.
3. Announce New Releases and Tours
One of the best uses of email is for announcing new music, tour dates, or merch drops. With an email list, you can make sure that your biggest fans are the first to know and act on these announcements.
4. Run Polls or Ask for Feedback
Get your fans involved! Ask them what song they want to hear live, what merch designs they’d love to see, or even their thoughts on your latest track. Engaging your audience like this keeps them invested in your career and makes them feel like part of the process.
Step 5: Keep Your List Healthy and Growing
Once you’ve built your email list, you want to keep it healthy and growing. Here are some tips to maintain a strong email list over time:
1. Clean Your List Regularly
Periodically clean your email list by removing inactive subscribers. This helps keep your open rates high and ensures that you’re only reaching fans who are genuinely interested in hearing from you.
2. Keep Growing Your List
Don’t stop promoting your list once you’ve got a few subscribers. Continuously look for ways to grow your list through giveaways, collaborations, or social media promotions.
3. Test and Improve
Experiment with your email content, subject lines, and sending times to see what resonates best with your audience. Track your open rates, click-through rates, and conversions to see what works and what doesn’t.
Final Thoughts: Your Email List is Your Superpower
In 2024, building a strong email list is one of the smartest moves an indie artist can make. It gives you control over your fanbase, helps you deepen your connection with your audience, and allows you to drive sales directly. Social media is great, but an email list is your direct line to the people who care most about your music.
Start building your list today, and you’ll thank yourself down the road when your career starts to grow and you have a reliable, engaged group of fans supporting every move you make.
Boost Collective: A Candid Review for Indie Artists
In a sea of music marketing platforms promising to grow your streams and get your music in front of more listeners, Boost Collective has emerged as one of the newer options. But does Boost Collective actually deliver on those promises, or is it another service that overhypes and underdelivers?
In 2024, I decided to test out Boost Collective to see if it’s a legitimate promotion service for indie artists. Spoiler alert: while it has some potential, there are definite drawbacks. Let’s dive in.
What Is Boost Collective?
For those unfamiliar, Boost Collective is a platform designed to help artists gain more exposure through third-party playlist placements. They focus on stream growth, claiming to boost your reach through targeted promotion efforts—mostly in the Spotify playlisting space.
The Pitch: How Boost Collective Sells Itself
Boost Collective markets itself as a budget-friendly solution for artists to grow their following without breaking the bank. Their selling points include:
- Affordable Promotion: They promise promotion packages that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Compared to some other services, Boost Collective’s pricing does seem appealing, especially for indie artists on a tight budget.
- Organic Growth: The platform claims that your streams will come from real listeners, not bots or sketchy click farms. This is a big deal, considering many artists have been burned by fake streams from unreliable promotion services.
- Custom Targeting: Boost Collective says it will help you target the right audiences, meaning your track will get to listeners who actually vibe with your genre.
On paper, it all sounds pretty appealing, so I signed up to see how well these promises held up.
My Experience: What Actually Happened
I opted for one of their playlist placement packages, which cost me around $50. Here’s what I found after putting my track through Boost Collective:
The Good
- Simple Setup: Signing up and submitting my track was easy. I didn’t have to jump through hoops to get started. You simply choose a promotion package, upload your track, and Boost Collective handles the rest. That was a major plus for me.
- Playlist Placements Did Happen: To their credit, my song did end up on a few Spotify playlists—three to be exact. These playlists had a combined following of about 15,000 listeners, which seemed decent for the price I paid.
- Streams Did Increase: Over the course of two weeks, I saw a spike in my Spotify streams. It wasn’t massive, but I went from a few hundred monthly listeners to about 1,500 monthly listeners. Not mind-blowing, but still noticeable growth for an emerging artist.
The Not-So-Good
- Low Engagement: Despite the increase in streams, I wasn’t seeing the kind of listener engagement I hoped for. My save rate (how many people saved the track to their library) was pretty low, and follower growth was minimal. This led me to question the quality of the playlist listeners Boost Collective was targeting.
- Playlists Weren’t Super Relevant: While my track did get placed, the playlists didn’t seem to match my genre exactly. I make indie pop, but one of the playlists had a lot of rap and trap tracks, which made my song stick out awkwardly. I suspect this mismatch contributed to the low engagement rates.
- No Real Boost to My Fanbase: After the two-week promotion period, the spike in streams disappeared as quickly as it came. My monthly listeners dropped back down, and I didn’t notice any long-term growth in followers or fan interaction. This made the whole thing feel more like a short-term boost than sustainable progress.
Pros of Boost Collective
There are definitely some positives to Boost Collective that make it worth considering for certain artists:
1. Affordable for Beginners
If you’re new to music promotion and don’t have much of a budget, Boost Collective’s pricing is relatively affordable. Compared to services like Playlist Push, which can run hundreds of dollars, Boost Collective’s packages are more accessible.
2. Easy to Use
One thing Boost Collective nails is simplicity. The interface is intuitive, and the setup process doesn’t require tons of time or marketing knowledge. For busy indie artists, this can be a big win.
3. Quick Results
If you’re looking for a quick boost in streams, Boost Collective can deliver that. My experience showed a noticeable increase in streams within just a few days, so if you’re focused on short-term numbers, this might work for you.
4. Organic Streams
Unlike some shady platforms that offer sketchy bot streams, Boost Collective claims to provide real listeners. Based on my test, the streams seemed genuine, though the engagement was lacking, which is a potential red flag about playlist relevance.
Cons of Boost Collective
However, the service comes with some significant drawbacks that made me question its long-term effectiveness:
1. Lack of Engagement
While my streams did go up, engagement was low. People weren’t saving my track, following my profile, or interacting in any meaningful way. This suggests that even though the streams were real, they weren’t coming from listeners who were actually into my music.
2. Playlist Quality Varies
The playlists I got placed on weren’t necessarily relevant to my genre, which probably explains the lack of fan retention. In 2024, playlist placement is more competitive than ever, and just landing on any playlist isn’t enough. You need to be on playlists where the audience actually cares about your style of music. Unfortunately, Boost Collective didn’t hit the mark in this area.
3. Temporary Boost
The increase in streams was noticeable, but it didn’t last. Once the promotion period was over, my listener count quickly dropped back to its original level. This left me feeling like the promotion was more of a temporary vanity metric than a tool for sustainable growth.
4. Little Long-Term Value
For me, the biggest downside was that I didn’t see long-term value. If you’re just trying to inflate your streaming numbers temporarily, Boost Collective can help with that. But if you’re looking to build a dedicated fanbase, I don’t think this is the best tool for that goal.
Is Boost Collective Worth It in 2024?
In short: maybe—but with serious limitations.
Boost Collective can be useful if you’re looking for a quick, budget-friendly way to boost your streaming numbers, especially if you’re new to promotion. However, if you’re focused on long-term growth, fan engagement, and real connections with listeners, I wouldn’t rely solely on this platform.
Top 5 Social Media Platforms for Indie Musicians in 2024
Social media is one of the most powerful tools in an indie artist's arsenal. It gives you the ability to connect with fans, share your music, and build a community—all without needing a huge marketing budget. But with so many platforms out there, it can be tough to figure out where to focus your time and energy.
In 2024, the landscape of social media continues to evolve, and some platforms are proving to be especially useful for independent musicians. Whether you're trying to grow your audience, promote your new single, or simply keep your fans engaged, choosing the right platform is key. Here are the top 5 social media platforms for indie musicians this year and how to make the most of each one.
1. TikTok
TikTok continues to be the king of viral music moments. If you’re not already using TikTok to promote your music, now’s the time to dive in. The platform is built around short, snappy video content—perfect for showcasing clips of your songs, behind-the-scenes moments, and anything that lets your personality shine through.
Why TikTok is Great for Indie Artists:
- Viral Potential: TikTok's algorithm gives you the chance to go viral, even if you have zero followers. A catchy 15-second clip can introduce your music to millions of new listeners.
- Music Discovery: TikTok has become a major hub for discovering new music. Songs that take off on TikTok often go on to chart on streaming platforms like Spotify.
- Creative Freedom: It’s the perfect place to experiment with visuals and sound, engage with fans through trends, and even collaborate with other creators.
How to Win on TikTok:
- Use Trends: Stay on top of viral challenges and trending sounds. If you can creatively tie your music to a popular trend, you're more likely to get noticed.
- Post Regularly: TikTok rewards frequent posting. Aim for at least a few videos a week to keep your engagement up.
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, participate in duets, and show appreciation for fans who create content using your music.
2. Instagram
Instagram remains a powerhouse for musicians looking to build their brand and connect with fans. With its blend of photos, videos, and stories, it’s a versatile platform that lets you show off everything from new music to day-in-the-life content.
Why Instagram is Great for Indie Artists:
- Visual Branding: Instagram’s focus on visuals makes it perfect for building your image as an artist. It’s a great platform for sharing album artwork, show posters, and live performance photos.
- Instagram Stories: Stories allow for real-time updates and more casual, unpolished moments that help you connect with fans.
- Instagram Reels: With Reels, Instagram is competing directly with TikTok for short-form video content. It’s another great place to share music clips or promote new releases.
How to Win on Instagram:
- Consistent Aesthetic: Curate your feed to reflect your unique style. Consistency helps fans instantly recognize your posts.
- Use Reels: Similar to TikTok, Instagram Reels can help boost your reach. Share snippets of your music, performance clips, or behind-the-scenes content.
- Stories for Engagement: Use polls, questions, and countdowns in your stories to encourage interaction. It's an easy way to keep your audience engaged between releases.
3. YouTube
YouTube is still the top platform for long-form video content and is especially important for musicians. Whether you're uploading music videos, vlogs, live performances, or tutorials, YouTube can help you build a deeper connection with your audience.
Why YouTube is Great for Indie Artists:
- Music Videos: It’s the go-to platform for music videos and visual content. Fans love watching live performances, lyric videos, and official music videos.
- Monetization: With YouTube’s Partner Program, you can earn ad revenue from your content.
- Evergreen Content: Videos on YouTube have a long lifespan. Unlike other platforms where content can disappear after a day or two, YouTube videos can continue to attract views (and revenue) for years.
How to Win on YouTube:
- High-Quality Music Videos: Investing in a well-produced music video can make a huge impact. Even if your budget is tight, creativity can go a long way.
- Vlog and Behind-the-Scenes Content: Let fans see the personal side of your journey. Document your creative process, studio time, or tour life.
- Collaborate: Work with other artists, producers, or creators on YouTube. Collaborative videos tend to do well and introduce your music to new audiences.
4. Twitch
Twitch might not be the first platform that comes to mind for musicians, but it’s quickly becoming a go-to for live performances and fan interactions. Originally a platform for gamers, Twitch now has a thriving community of musicians who livestream concerts, songwriting sessions, and Q&As.
Why Twitch is Great for Indie Artists:
- Live Performances: If you want to host virtual concerts or live jam sessions, Twitch is the perfect platform.
- Fan Interaction: Twitch is all about real-time interaction with your audience. Fans can ask you questions, make song requests, or chat with you directly during streams.
- Monetization: Twitch offers multiple ways to make money, from subscriptions and bits (a virtual tipping system) to sponsorship deals and ad revenue.
How to Win on Twitch:
- Set a Schedule: Consistency is key on Twitch. Make sure you stream regularly and let your audience know when to tune in.
- Engage with Your Fans: Talk to your viewers during your streams. Ask for feedback on new songs or take live requests.
- Exclusive Content: Use Twitch to share exclusive content, like behind-the-scenes looks at new projects or special acoustic performances.
5. Twitter (or "X")
While Twitter has gone through some changes (now rebranded as "X"), it’s still an important platform for musicians looking to build relationships with fans, industry insiders, and other artists. Twitter is all about conversations, so it’s the perfect place to share quick updates and engage directly with your audience.
Why Twitter is Great for Indie Artists:
- Direct Communication: Twitter allows you to connect directly with fans, industry professionals, and fellow artists in real-time.
- Music News and Trends: It’s a great place to stay on top of music industry news, trends, and discussions.
- Networking: Twitter is a key platform for building relationships with music journalists, playlist curators, and potential collaborators.
How to Win on Twitter:
- Stay Active: Tweet regularly about your music, life updates, and opinions on the industry.
- Use Hashtags: Hashtags help your tweets get discovered. Be sure to use popular music-related tags like #NewMusic, #IndieArtist, or #NowPlaying.
- Engage with the Community: Don’t just post about your music. Respond to tweets, participate in conversations, and support other artists.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Platform for Your Music
There’s no need to be active on every single platform—focus on the ones that fit your style and where your audience hangs out. If you love creating short, fun videos, TikTok might be your jam. If you’re all about visuals and aesthetics, go heavy on Instagram. For live streams and fan engagement, Twitch could be your best bet.
Each platform offers its own unique way to engage with your audience, and in 2024, it’s all about authenticity. Don’t be afraid to show who you are, whether through quick TikTok clips, candid Instagram stories, or live streams on Twitch. The more you can connect with your fans in an authentic way, the more they’ll stick around and support your music.
Spotify Ads Review: A Disappointing Experience
As an indie artist, I’m always on the lookout for effective ways to promote my music, so I was excited to try out Spotify Ads. With the platform’s vast user base, I thought this could be a great opportunity to get my music in front of the right listeners. However, my experience was anything but positive. Here’s my brutally honest review of Spotify Ads in 2024.
What Are Spotify Ads?
Spotify Ads aim to help artists and businesses promote their music directly to listeners. You can choose from a few options:
- Sponsored Songs: Your track is promoted on playlists and in users' listening sessions.
- Audio Ads: Short audio clips (30 seconds or less) that play between songs for users on the free version of Spotify.
- Display Ads: Visual ads that pop up on the Spotify interface.
I opted for a combination of Sponsored Songs and Audio Ads in hopes of maximizing my reach. I was willing to invest around $500 for a two-week campaign, but I quickly learned that this was a steep price for minimal results.
Setting Up My Campaign
The setup process was straightforward, but that's where the positives ended.
1. Targeting Options
Spotify allows you to target users based on genre, location, and listening habits. While this sounds great in theory, the execution left a lot to be desired. I tailored my ads to reach listeners who would likely enjoy my music, but the results were underwhelming.
2. Budgeting
At $500 for a two-week campaign, I expected a substantial return on my investment. Unfortunately, I soon found out that the cost did not reflect the effectiveness of the ads.
My Experience with Spotify Ads
Here’s how my experience unfolded over the two-week campaign:
Week 1: Sponsored Songs
- The Bad: My track was added to a few curated playlists, but the increase in streams was hardly noticeable. I gained only about 500 new plays in the first week, which is a drop in the bucket compared to what I expected. The playlists were okay, but the engagement was lackluster, with minimal saves or follows.
Week 2: Audio Ads
- The Bad: I was hoping for a breakthrough during the audio ad phase, but it fell flat. While my audio clips played between songs, the click-through rate (CTR) was disappointingly low. I saw a total of 200 new streams from the ads, which is simply not worth the money I spent.
- Impact: The audio ads reached thousands of users, but the lack of meaningful engagement was disheartening. My track didn’t resonate with listeners, leading to a dismal increase in followers on my Spotify profile. It felt like throwing money into a black hole.
Cons of Spotify Ads
Here are the major downsides I encountered during my campaign:
- High Costs with Low Returns: At $500, I expected a significant boost in both streams and engagement. Instead, I was left feeling like I wasted my money for minimal results.
- Disappointing Click-Through Rates: The CTR for my ads was shockingly low. Despite reaching a wide audience, the lack of engagement was frustrating. I had hoped for more interaction, but many listeners seemed indifferent to my music.
- Inconsistent Engagement: The engagement levels didn’t reflect the investment. The lack of meaningful saves and follows made it clear that my music wasn't connecting with the audience.
- Time and Effort for Little Reward: Setting up the campaign required time and effort, but the lack of results made it feel like a wasted opportunity. It’s hard to justify spending hours fine-tuning a campaign that ultimately delivered so little.
Is Spotify Ads Worth It in 2024?
In short: no.
My experience with Spotify Ads was a major disappointment. The high costs coupled with low engagement made it clear that this platform did not live up to its promises. For indie artists looking to build their careers, I would recommend exploring other promotional avenues that offer better value and genuine engagement.
Final Thoughts
While Spotify Ads may seem like a tempting option for promoting your music, my experience showed that they aren’t worth the investment in 2024. The low click-through rates and minimal engagement left me feeling frustrated and questioning my decision. For indie artists looking for effective promotion, it’s best to look elsewhere for platforms that provide better results without breaking the bank.
Is SubmitHub Still Worth It in 2024? My Honest Take
If you’ve been promoting your music online, you’ve probably heard of SubmitHub. Once hailed as a game-changer for indie artists looking to get featured on playlists, blogs, and YouTube channels, the platform has been around for years. But the question remains: is SubmitHub still an effective tool for musicians in 2024, or has its shine started to fade?
After testing it out myself and talking to other artists, I’m leaning towards the latter. SubmitHub has its uses, but it’s no longer the “indie music hack” it once was. Let me explain why.
How SubmitHub Works
First, a quick refresher: SubmitHub connects musicians with curators—like Spotify playlist owners, bloggers, and influencers—through direct submissions. You can either submit for free (with limited chances and no guarantees of feedback) or pay for Premium submissions, which come with a guaranteed response within 48 hours.
On paper, it sounds ideal. You send your music to tastemakers who should be eager to help you promote it. However, the reality in 2024 isn’t so clear-cut.
The Big Problem: Oversaturation
SubmitHub worked well when it launched because there was a novelty to it. Back then, indie curators, bloggers, and playlist owners were excited about discovering new music through a streamlined service. But in 2024, the platform has become crowded. Tons of artists are now submitting their tracks, meaning the curators are swamped with submissions.
Here’s what I noticed during my test run:
- Low Acceptance Rate: I submitted to 20 different curators, a mix of Spotify playlist owners and bloggers. Out of those 20 submissions, I got two placements. That’s a 10% success rate, and to be honest, that seems optimistic compared to what other artists have reported recently.
- High Competition: Curators are often overwhelmed by the number of submissions they receive daily. When there are hundreds of tracks vying for attention, even a good song can slip through the cracks. If your track doesn’t immediately stand out, you’re likely to get lost in the shuffle.
Pay-to-Play: Is It Worth It?
Let’s talk money, because while SubmitHub offers free submissions, Premium submissions are where the real action happens. Each Premium submission costs around $1-$3 in credits, and curators are required to listen to at least 20 seconds of your song and provide feedback if they pass.
Sounds fair, right? Well, here’s what I experienced:
- Cost Adds Up Quickly: If you want to reach a decent number of curators, you’ll probably end up spending $20-$30 (or more) on credits. That might not seem like much at first, but given the low acceptance rate, you’re essentially gambling with each submission.
- Paying for Feedback: Sure, SubmitHub guarantees feedback with Premium submissions, but a lot of that feedback was vague and unhelpful. I got responses like “Not a fit for our playlist” or “Not feeling it,” without any real detail. I was paying for someone to tell me nothing.
The Quality of Curators
Another big issue in 2024 is the inconsistency in curator quality. SubmitHub boasts a large network of curators, but the influence and impact of these curators vary wildly.
- Playlists with Few Listeners: Even when my song did land on a playlist, it wasn’t the big boost I was hoping for. One of the playlists had fewer than 1,000 followers, and while it was nice to be featured, it didn’t lead to a significant increase in streams or followers.
- Inactive Blogs and Influencers: I noticed that some blogs and influencers who were active a few years ago aren’t as influential today. Many blogs are struggling to maintain their audience, and even if you get featured, it might not lead to much visibility.
The bottom line is that not all curators on SubmitHub are created equal. In 2024, more curators are less active, and fewer can give your track the attention it deserves. As a result, you might end up spending credits on submissions that yield little to no return.
The Pros of SubmitHub (If You Look Hard)
Despite my overall frustrations, I won’t say SubmitHub is completely useless. It has some redeeming features, especially for artists who are just starting out and looking to get their feet wet with promotion.
Here are the upsides I noticed:
- Transparency: SubmitHub’s transparency about each curator’s acceptance rate, average response time, and genre preferences is still a plus. This helps you filter out curators who are less likely to give you a shot.
- Guaranteed Feedback with Premium: Even if the feedback I got was often vague, it’s still better than hearing nothing at all. For new artists, having at least some insight into why your track isn’t getting picked up can be useful for refining your approach.
- Curator Variety: There’s a large range of genres and curators on SubmitHub, so if you’re in a popular genre (like indie, pop, or electronic), you’ll have a decent pool of curators to choose from. If your genre is more niche, though, your options will be more limited.
So, Is SubmitHub Still Effective in 2024?
Short answer: not as much as it used to be.
In 2024, SubmitHub’s effectiveness has taken a hit for a few key reasons:
- Oversaturation: There are too many artists submitting and not enough curators to give proper attention to each track.
- Declining Curator Quality: Many of the curators on SubmitHub don’t have the influence they once did, so even if you get a placement, the impact on your streams and visibility might be minimal.
- Cost vs. Reward: The pay-to-play model means you can easily spend $20-$50 on submissions with little to show for it. If you’re going to spend that kind of money, there might be better alternatives for your budget (like targeted social media ads or other marketing services).
Should You Use SubmitHub?
If you’re just starting out, SubmitHub can be a good way to get some initial feedback and maybe land a playlist feature or two. But if you’re looking for real traction in 2024, I wouldn’t bank on SubmitHub being your main promotion strategy.
If you decide to use it, do so with realistic expectations, and don’t expect it to be the golden ticket for blowing up your music career.