Tips to Boost Your Streaming Listeners

Nowadays, it's easier than ever to have your music played on streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music. Gone are the days of waiting for your track to be played on the radio and hoping it becomes a chartbuster. But here’s the catch: just because it’s out there doesn’t mean it’s going to top the charts. With everyone dropping songs, promoting and marketing your music are key if you want to rack up those streams. After all, you want people actually listening, right? Let’s take a look into how you can face the music and make some NOISE!

We’ll be taking a look at the following:

1. What Are Artist Analytics?
   
   
2. How To Promote Your Music Through Social Media?
   
   
3. How To Network to Build An Audience?
   
   
4. What is Playlisting?
   
   
5. How Can Collaborations Help?
   
   
6. What Is A Release Schedule?
   
   
7. Final Thoughts

What Are Artist Analytics?

When you release your music, you would definitely want to keep an eye on how it performs. Tracking its popularity and obtaining critical insights enables you to decide when and how to step it up and take advantage of a track that is blowing up! That’s where platforms like Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, and Amazon Music for Artists come in. They not only help you boost your reach but also enable you to post videos, build buzz before a release, and even sell merch and concert tickets!

These analytics platforms have a lot of features to help you understand how your music is performing. Let’s take a look:

• Spotify for Artists:
  
  Once you create an account, Spotify instantly verifies you as an artist—hello, instant street cred! And let’s be real, you need that badge of honour, right? On top of that, you get access to some seriously fascinating tools, like data insights and notifications when your tracks land on playlists. Make sure you monitor that data and spot trends. By keeping an eye on which tracks are stealing the spotlight, you can fine-tune your promotion game and keep your listeners coming back for more!
  
  

• Apple Music for Artists:
  
  Apple Music for Artists has all the killer analytics you need! Along with the usual data insights, their Listening Now feature lets you see, in real time, how many fans are streaming your music. And if you think radio’s dead, think again. With Radio Spins, you can track over 40,000 stations across 200 countries to see exactly where your music is getting airplay.
  
  

• Amazon Music for Artists:
  
  Amazon Music for Artists gives you the inside scoop on your music with some seriously powerful tools. Want to grow your audience and see which tracks are playlist favourites? You’re covered. Plus, they’ve got the Voice Reporting feature, which lets you track how your music’s doing on Alexa compared to artists with similar followings.

Pro Tip:

If your listeners are concentrated in certain cities, you could plan local shows there, or even geo-target your ads. With the right insights, you’ll be streaming to success in no time!

How To Promote Your Music Through Social Media?

Social media isn’t just for laughing at memes—it’s a powerhouse for promoting your music! Or, why not do both at the same time? Trust me, social media is one of the biggest movers and shakers in the music industry right now. From artists and A&Rs to label managers and music bloggers, everyone’s there. It’s the go-to spot for sharing tracks, discovering new talent, signing artists, and marketing your music to the masses.

Social Media is an amplifier for your music. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are where you can network, grow your fanbase, drop new tracks, celebrate your wins, and build some serious hype. But here’s the thing—social media runs on algorithms, and consistency is king. The more you post, the more you gain—whether it’s followers or true fans (who says they can’t be the same thing?).

Creating engaging content, flexing your creativity, and building buzz for your releases, shows, and music can help you grow a dedicated audience. And when your music drops? It’s super easy for fans to share the links and spread the word.

Just look at Charlie Puth—he’s nailed the game by teasing his tracks on TikTok. He shares short clips of his process, whether he’s beatboxing or humming, and fans are hooked before the song even hits streaming. A few quirky teasers or behind-the-scenes moments could be your golden ticket to turning social media buzz into streaming success!

How To Network to Build An Audience?

Now that we’ve dived into the world of social media, let’s zoom in on a little yet mighty detail: networking! Here’s a hint: it’s right there in the name—social media is all about being social. Whether you’ve got a huge fanbase or just a handful of loyal listeners, connecting with your audience is a total game changer.

Engaging in conversation is where the magic happens! It opens the door for you to understand what your fans expect from you as an artist. Plus, it’s a fantastic opportunity to share your experiences, your journey, and what inspired your latest track. When fans feel that personal connection, they’ll stick around for more than just the music—they’ll be invested in you.

And let’s not forget about shareable content. Think of each post as a mini earworm that your fans can’t help but share! Whether it’s lyric videos, hilarious behind-the-scenes clips, or quirky challenges, these nuggets of creativity can spark conversations and get people buzzing about your music.

And here’s the icing on the cake: user-generated content! Encourage your fans to create their own videos or share their stories related to your music. The more they feel involved, the more likely they are to spread the word to their friends. So, get out there, forge those connections, make your content irresistible, and watch your audience flourish!

What is Playlisting?

Getting your music onto playlists is the secret sauce to boosting your monthly listeners! Whether it’s big-name editorial playlists like Spotify’s Today’s Top Hits or user-generated ones, landing a spot on a playlist can put your tracks in front of a whole new audience. To kick things off, start submitting to playlist curators like GreaseRelease, or why not create your own themed playlists? Mix your music with similar artists and let your creativity shine!

Understanding your analytics is key here. If you know your sound and your target audience, pitching to independent playlist curators can really help your music soar. These curators often specialise in specialised genres and topics, so they can connect you with your future biggest fans. Plus, the more you get featured on user-generated playlists, the higher your chances of landing on algorithmic and editorial playlists from Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon.

By getting onto playlists, indie musicians can tap into new fanbases, increase their streaming numbers, and create buzz that could lead to gigs, collaborations, and more. So go on, make those connections, and let your music be heard!

Don’t just sit back and wait for those big playlists to notice you. Check out the Greaserelease profile on platforms like Groover, SubmitHub, or OneSubmit to pitch your music directly to independent playlist curators like us. Not only can this lead to more exposure, but it can also provide valuable feedback on your tracks.

How Can Collaborations Help?

1+1=2. It’s a simple math equation, but let’s face it—when it comes to making music, the equation gets a whole lot more exciting! If you have a musician friend—whether they’re a producer, instrumentalist, or vocalist—you’ve got a golden opportunity for collaboration! You get to experiment, learn from each other, and have a blast while doing it. Music is all about fun, right? So why not spark a creative conversation with fellow musicians? Dive into how electronic production could elevate your RnB vibe and engage both of your audiences along the way. Reach out to artists on social media or check out local jams, open mics, or music events to network and find potential collaborators.

Collaborating isn’t just about having fun; it’s also a smart way to expand your listener base. When you team up with another artist, you’re essentially cross-pollinating your audiences. Take Billie Eilish and Khalid, for example—they teamed up for the hauntingly beautiful Lovely, and it became a smash hit, with both artists gaining exposure to each other’s fanbases. 

Pro-Tip: 

Look for artists who share your sound or genre and send them a friendly message to see if they’re interested in working together. Even if your dream collaborator lives miles away, no worries! Innovative online tools like BandLab, Soundtrap, and Ableton Link let you create magic together without ever having to meet face-to-face.

What Is A Release Schedule?

If you want to boost your monthly listeners, here’s a golden rule: consistency is everything! Streaming services thrive on algorithms and data, and they absolutely love rewarding artists who keep the music flowing with recommendations and playlisting. When you consistently release new tracks, you’re not just keeping the algorithms happy—you’re also keeping your existing fans engaged and eagerly anticipating what’s next.

But before you hit that upload button on your distributor, it’s crucial to have a game plan. Give yourself enough time between scheduling your release and uploading your music. For example, Spotify’s “submit a song” feature requires that you schedule your release at least three weeks in advance. That way, you’ll have ample time to pitch to blogs and secure a premiere. And don’t forget to create eye-catching social media posts and visuals that are ready to roll when your track drops!

To streamline your strategy, break your release plan into three sections:

• Before the Release: Get your promotional materials in order, pitch to blogs, and generate buzz on social media.

• On Release Day: Make sure your fans know it’s out! Engage with them through live sessions, countdowns, and interactive posts.

• After the Release: Keep the momentum going by sharing behind-the-scenes content, reviews, or fun facts about the track.

Remember this:

If you’re only dropping a single once a year, your fans might just forget about you in the meantime! Aim for a consistent release schedule—whether it’s a new single every couple of months or an EP a couple of times a year.

Final Thoughts

Increasing your monthly listeners isn’t an easy task and surely not one that can be accomplished in a day. It requires combining consistency, adaptability, and connections with creativity. Make the most out of the tools that you have such as Social Media, Collaborations with Fellow Musicians, Playlist Curators, and an Audience. With the right strategy and plan, you can get it done! Go ahead, your audience awaits!

We at GreaseRelease, have a bunch of curators on our network who are looking for new & exciting music to push on their massive playlists. If you make music and want to reach a wider audience, check out our submission platform and get a chance to reach millions of listeners! Submit your tracks now!