FiXT Labs: How to Craft a DSP Pitch

Landing on an official editorial playlist can totally change the trajectory of your release. It’s an incredibly powerful tool for exposure and growth in today’s streaming-driven music landscape. It’s probably not going to happen overnight, though. It’s important to take a top-down view on things sometimes, and if you do, you’ll realize that each of the genre editors at every one of the major DSPs is probably getting hundreds of pitches a day, sifting through thousands of new tracks a week.

So, how do you stand out in all that? At FiXT, we work closely with our artists to shape these pitches, and we’ve learned what gets attention – and what gets overlooked. This article is for emerging artists who are ready to start taking editorial seriously and want to stand out in a very crowded inbox.

Why Editorial Playlists Matter

For the most part (and for now) editorial playlists are curated by real people – editors who work for platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, and more. These playlists carry weight. They drive discovery, boost credibility, and sometimes can trigger a ripple effect; landing on one playlist can lead to inclusion on others – editorial, algorithmic, and even user-generated.

A good playlist spot can mean thousands of new listeners, increased monthly streams, more engagement, and industry attention.

Start Early – Like Really Early – Probably Go Now…..

This is one of the most common mistakes we see – artists pitch their songs too late. Editors need lead time. They’re probably not sitting at their desks refreshing a dashboard every hour – they’re planning weeks in advance.

Pitch your track a minimum of 6 weeks before your release date.

Why 6 weeks? It gives the editorial teams time to listen, consider where it might fit, and slot it into their internal schedule. Some playlists are programmed monthly, some biweekly. If your track int’ in the system early enough, it’s probably not making the cut – no matter how good the mix is.

If you’re using Spotify for Artists, submit the track via their pitching tool as soon as it’s available in your dashboard. You don’t have to wait until you have all the social media content created – once your distributor delivers the metadata to Spotify, the pitch window opens.

FiXT Labs Logo

The Metadata Is Not The Hook

Speaking of metadata – yes – it’s important. You need to correctly tag the genre, mood, language, and instrumentation. That helps get your track routed to the appropriate editorial team. But here’s where some artists either get lazy or miss the mark:

Your pitch is not just metadata – it’s your one shot to get an editor’s attention.

Metadata tells them what your track is.
Your pitch tells them why it matters.

Too many artists put all their energy into the song and treat the pitch like an afterthought. But the pitch is where you can rise above the noise. Editors are human. They connect with stories, passion, vision, and momentum.

Tell a Story. Provide Context

This is probably the most important section in your pitch.

Context is everything. You’re not just selling a song. You’re giving editors the context they need to understand why your release deserves attention. If you can’t tell me why I should care about your track then – why should I care? This doesn’t have to be polished marketing language. In fact, sometimes it might be better if it’s not – don’t be afraid to let your personality come out in these.

What editors want to know:
– Is this track part of a bigger rollout? (EP, album, series of singles?)
– What inspired the song?
– What are you up to and what’s coming next? (New merch, live shows, etc.)

Give them the behind-the-scenes version of your story. You’re not writing a press release – you’re letting them in on your vision. If you’re building towards something bigger, let them know. If this song means something personal, tell them why. The more context you can provide, the more emotionally and strategically relevant your track becomes.

A Checklist

A great pitch is short, focused, and informative. Here’s a rough checklist you can follow. The amount of space you’re given varies depending on how you’re pitching so use this as a guide, emit when needed and alter to fit your vision.

Artist Snapshot

One or two sentences about who you are and what your sound is. No need for a full bio – just the essentials.

Track Overview

What is this track? Is it the lead single from an album? A collab?

Release Context

What’s the larger strategy? Are there other singles coming? A video? Are you building towards a tour?

Why It Matters

• What’s special about this track? Was it inspired by something meaningful or just a dumb old movie you were watching?

Support Plan

• What are you doing to support the release? Mention things like music videos, press outreach, ad campaigns, playlist pitching, collaborations, etc.

FiXT Labs: March 2025 ft. James Rhodes

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Pitching Too Late
The most common error. Give editors time to actually hear and process your music.

Being Vague or Generic
“This track is a vibe” doesn’t tell me anything. Be specific and authentic.

Failing To Explain The Bigger Picture
Editors want to know where this fits into your journey. No context – no connection.

Outdated Artist Profile
Make sure your bio, photo, links, and social presence are up to date. If an editor checks you out and sees half-finished or outdated branding, that’s a red flag.

Final Thoughts

Not every pitch will land. And that’s alright.

Editorial placement is just one piece of the puzzle. There’s also algorithmic playlists, user-generated playlists, and your own audience. Focus on building a fanbase, refining your craft, and showing up consistently. But when you do pitch, treat it with the same level of intention and artistry you bring to your music.