With competition this high, you’re lucky if someone checks out your Spotify at all. So when they do? You need to make it count.
That doesn’t mean they should land on your newest album, or whatever shows up under your “top tracks” by default. It means you need to curate your own best-of experience — and that starts with building the right playlists.
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Don’t Leave It Up to the Algorithm
Spotify might auto-generate a “This Is [Your Name]” playlist — or it might not.
Even if they do, it might be outdated, random, or just wrong. Your top tracks might not reflect your best work. Your albums might not have the strongest songs first. And your featured collabs might be completely invisible.
Bottom line: you need to create playlists that make a strong first impression — on purpose.
Step 1: Build the Playlist From Your Personal Account
Artists can’t create playlists from their Spotify for Artists dashboard — you have to do it from your personal Spotify account.
- Create a new playlist
- Name it something like “Best of [Your Name]” or “The Essentials: [Artist Name]”
- Keep it short, clear, and professional
Use a clean, high-quality cover image that fits your brand. This is your mixtape — make it look like it matters.
Step 2: Curate Your Best Work (Be Honest)
This is where it counts — picking what actually deserves to be in there.
- Choose songs that are emblematic of who you are
- Don’t just dump your latest single — go for lasting impact
- Keep it tight. Don’t overload it
- Put your top 1–3 songs first. Hook them early
Give your music the kind of curation you’d give your favorite artist if you were making a playlist for them.
Step 3: Create Specialized Playlists Too
If you have a big catalog or a range of styles, consider more than one:
- Guest Appearances: your features on other artists’ tracks
- Genre/Mood Lists: break your music into vibes (e.g. chill, hype, cinematic)
- Friends & Collabs: mix your work with your inner circle
These offer context and personality — fans love that.
Step 4: Add the Playlist to Your Artist Profile
Once your playlist is created and curated, you need to display it on your artist profile.
- Go to Spotify for Artists
- Under “Profile,” scroll to the Artist Pick section
- Choose your playlist and write a short message if you want
- Hit “Save” — now it’s live on your profile
Note: the playlist will show the name of the personal profile that created it. If your personal Spotify name is unprofessional or unrelated, change it. You want it to reflect your brand clearly.
Step 5: Promote the Playlist Like a Project
You made it — now show it off:
- Use it as your Artist Pick
- Put the link in your bio or Linktree
- Promote it via Instagram Stories, tweets, email, etc.
- Consider running ads to it if it truly represents your best work
The playlist becomes your front door. Make it worth walking through.
If you’re serious about presenting your music the right way on Spotify, you should also read this:
https://blog.360promo.net/spotify-playlists-dont-work/
If you’re ready to take action with real Spotify strategy, check out our campaign options:
https://360promo.net/#Spotify-Campaign
360 Promo is a full-service music marketing, promotion, distribution and admin company. Learn more about us and what we do at 360 Promo, follow us on Instagram and contact us to tailor a plan that works for you.