Presaving your music on Spotify is a crucial step in building anticipation and maximizing impact upon release. It ensures that your fans can easily find and listen to your new track or album as soon as it drops. Presaving essentially allows listeners to add your unreleased music to their Spotify library and automatically follow you. This is not only beneficial for your fans but also sends a strong signal to Spotify’s algorithm, potentially boosting your music’s visibility and playlist placements. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about presaving on Spotify, including why it’s important, how to set it up using various platforms, and tips for promoting your presave link.
Why Presave on Spotify?
Before we dive into the ‘how,’ let’s understand the ‘why.’ Presaving offers several key advantages:
* Increased Engagement: Fans who presave are more likely to listen to your music immediately upon release, leading to higher initial streams.
* Algorithm Boost: Spotify’s algorithm considers early engagement as a positive signal, potentially leading to increased visibility in Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and other algorithmic playlists.
* Follower Growth: Presaving often includes an option for fans to follow your artist profile, expanding your reach and audience.
* Data Collection: Many presave platforms provide valuable data about your audience, such as their location and email addresses (if you choose to collect them with consent).
* Improved Release Day Impact: A strong presave campaign translates to a more successful release day, with higher stream counts and chart positions.
Choosing a Presave Platform
Several platforms offer presave services, each with its own features and pricing. Here are some popular options:
* Feature.fm: A comprehensive marketing platform with robust presave capabilities, analytics, and fan engagement tools. It’s a popular choice for artists of all sizes.
* ToneDen: Known for its user-friendly interface and powerful advertising integrations. ToneDen’s presave feature is often bundled with other marketing tools.
* Show.co: Offers a variety of marketing tools, including presave campaigns, contests, and social media integrations. Show.co is a good option for artists looking for a versatile platform.
* HyperFollow (by DistroKid): A free option available to DistroKid users. While it’s not as feature-rich as some other platforms, it’s a convenient and cost-effective choice for artists using DistroKid for distribution.
* Presave.io: A simple and straightforward presave platform with a focus on ease of use. It’s a good option for artists who need a basic presave solution without a lot of extra features.
* Linkfire: While primarily a smart link platform, Linkfire also offers presave functionality, making it a convenient option for artists who want to manage all their links in one place.
For this guide, we’ll primarily focus on using Feature.fm and ToneDen as examples, but the general principles apply to most platforms.
Setting Up a Presave Campaign on Feature.fm: A Step-by-Step Guide
Feature.fm is a powerful platform that offers a wide range of marketing tools, including robust presave campaigns. Here’s how to set one up:
1. Create a Feature.fm Account:
* Go to Feature.fm and sign up for an account. You can start with a free trial to explore the platform’s features.
2. Connect Your Spotify Artist Profile:
* Once you’re logged in, navigate to the ‘Integrations’ section and connect your Spotify artist profile. This will allow Feature.fm to access your music catalog and track presaves.
3. Create a New Campaign:
* Click on the ‘Campaigns’ tab and then ‘Create New Campaign.’
* Select ‘Pre-Save Campaign’ as the campaign type.
4. Enter Campaign Details:
* Campaign Name: Give your campaign a descriptive name (e.g., ‘New Single Presave Campaign’).
* Start Date: Set the date when you want your presave campaign to begin. It’s recommended to start at least 2-4 weeks before your release date.
* End Date: Set the date when your presave campaign should end. This should typically be your release date.
* Release Date: Enter your official release date on Spotify.
* Artwork: Upload the artwork for your single or album. Make sure it meets Spotify’s artwork requirements.
5. Select Your Music:
* Choose the specific track or album you want to promote with the presave campaign. Feature.fm will automatically fetch the music from your connected Spotify artist profile.
6. Customize the Landing Page:
* Headline: Write a compelling headline that grabs visitors’ attention. (e.g., “Pre-Save My New Single and Get Exclusive Access!”).
* Description: Add a brief description of your music and why fans should presave it.
* Call to Action: Customize the call-to-action button text. (e.g., “Pre-Save on Spotify,” “Add to My Library”).
* Background Image/Color: Customize the landing page’s visual appearance to match your branding.
7. Configure Presave Options:
* Spotify Pre-Save: Enable the option to allow fans to presave your music on Spotify.
* Follow Artist: Enable the option for fans to follow your artist profile on Spotify. This is highly recommended to grow your follower base.
* Other Music Services: If your music is also available on other platforms (e.g., Apple Music, Deezer), you can add links to those services as well. This gives fans more options to listen to your music.
8. Set Up Fan Gates (Optional):
* Fan gates allow you to reward fans for presaving by giving them access to exclusive content, such as a free download, a behind-the-scenes video, or a discount code.
* To set up a fan gate, select the ‘Fan Gates’ tab and choose the type of reward you want to offer.
* Configure the requirements for accessing the reward (e.g., presave on Spotify, follow on social media, join your email list).
9. Add Email Capture (Optional):
* If you want to build your email list, you can add an email capture form to your presave landing page. This allows you to collect email addresses from fans who are interested in your music.
* Make sure to comply with GDPR and other privacy regulations when collecting email addresses. Obtain explicit consent from users before adding them to your email list.
10. Preview and Publish:
* Before publishing your campaign, preview the landing page to make sure everything looks and works correctly.
* Once you’re satisfied, click the ‘Publish’ button to activate your presave campaign.
11. Share Your Presave Link:
* Feature.fm will generate a unique presave link for your campaign. Share this link on your social media channels, website, and email list.
Setting Up a Presave Campaign on ToneDen: A Step-by-Step Guide
ToneDen is another excellent platform for creating presave campaigns, especially if you’re already using its advertising features. Here’s how to set it up:
1. Create a ToneDen Account:
* Go to ToneDen and sign up for an account. ToneDen offers a variety of pricing plans, including a free plan with limited features.
2. Connect Your Spotify Artist Profile:
* Once you’re logged in, connect your Spotify artist profile to ToneDen. This will allow ToneDen to access your music catalog and track presaves.
3. Create a New Campaign:
* Click on the ‘Campaigns’ tab and then ‘Create New Campaign.’
* Select ‘Music Smart Link’ as the campaign type. This is ToneDen’s equivalent of a presave campaign, offering a smart link that adapts to the user’s preferred music service.
4. Enter Campaign Details:
* Campaign Name: Give your campaign a descriptive name (e.g., ‘New Album Presave Campaign’).
* Release Date: Enter your official release date on Spotify.
* Artwork: Upload the artwork for your single or album.
5. Select Your Music:
* Choose the specific track or album you want to promote. ToneDen will automatically fetch the music from your connected Spotify artist profile.
6. Customize the Landing Page:
* Headline: Write a compelling headline that encourages fans to presave. (e.g., “Pre-Save My New Album and Get a Sneak Peek!”).
* Description: Add a brief description of your music and the benefits of presaving.
* Call to Action: Customize the call-to-action button text. (e.g., “Pre-Save on Spotify,” “Add to My Library”).
* Background Image/Color: Customize the landing page’s visual appearance.
7. Configure Presave Options:
* Spotify Pre-Save: Enable the option to allow fans to presave your music on Spotify.
* Follow Artist: Enable the option for fans to follow your artist profile on Spotify. This is highly recommended.
* Other Music Services: Add links to other music services where your music is available.
8. Set Up Fan Rewards (Optional):
* ToneDen allows you to offer fan rewards in exchange for presaving. These rewards can include exclusive content, discounts, or access to pre-release tracks.
* To set up a fan reward, select the ‘Rewards’ tab and choose the type of reward you want to offer.
* Configure the requirements for accessing the reward (e.g., presave on Spotify, follow on social media).
9. Add Email Capture (Optional):
* You can add an email capture form to your presave landing page to collect email addresses from fans.
* Make sure to comply with privacy regulations when collecting email addresses.
10. Preview and Publish:
* Preview your landing page to ensure everything looks and works correctly.
* Click the ‘Publish’ button to activate your presave campaign.
11. Share Your Presave Link:
* ToneDen will generate a unique presave link for your campaign. Share this link on your social media channels, website, and email list.
Promoting Your Presave Link: Tips and Strategies
Creating a presave campaign is only half the battle. You need to actively promote your presave link to reach your target audience and maximize the number of presaves. Here are some effective promotion strategies:
* Social Media:
* Create engaging social media posts that highlight the benefits of presaving. Use eye-catching visuals and compelling captions.
* Run targeted social media ads to reach potential fans who are interested in your genre of music.
* Use relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your posts.
* Host a social media contest or giveaway to incentivize presaves. Offer a prize to a randomly selected fan who presaves your music.
* Create short video clips or teasers of your music and share them on social media with a link to your presave campaign.
* Use social media stories to promote your presave link. Stories are a great way to grab attention and drive traffic to your landing page.
* Email Marketing:
* Send out email newsletters to your fans announcing your upcoming release and inviting them to presave your music.
* Segment your email list based on location, music preferences, or engagement level to send more targeted emails.
* Offer exclusive content or discounts to fans who presave your music through your email list.
* Use compelling subject lines to increase the open rate of your emails.
* Website:
* Add a prominent banner or call-to-action on your website linking to your presave campaign.
* Embed your presave landing page directly on your website.
* Include a presave link in your email signature.
* Collaborations:
* Partner with other artists, influencers, or music blogs to promote your presave campaign to their audiences.
* Cross-promote each other’s music on social media and email lists.
* Participate in collaborative playlists on Spotify and other streaming platforms.
* Pre-Release Buzz:
* Release snippets or teasers of your music on social media to build anticipation for your upcoming release.
* Share behind-the-scenes photos or videos of the recording process.
* Engage with your fans online and ask them what they’re most excited about for your new music.
* Timing is Key:
* Start your presave campaign at least 2-4 weeks before your release date to give yourself enough time to promote it effectively.
* Send out reminders to your fans as your release date approaches.
* Continue promoting your presave link even after your music is released to encourage new listeners to add it to their libraries.
* Track Your Results:
* Use the analytics provided by your presave platform to track the performance of your campaign.
* Monitor the number of presaves, follows, and email sign-ups you’re receiving.
* Analyze the data to identify what’s working and what’s not, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Advanced Presave Strategies
Beyond the basic setup and promotion, consider these advanced strategies to maximize the impact of your presave campaign:
* Custom Landing Pages: Create custom landing pages that match your branding and target specific audience segments. Use different headlines, descriptions, and visuals for each segment.
* A/B Testing: Experiment with different headlines, descriptions, and call-to-action buttons to see what performs best. Use A/B testing tools to track the results and optimize your landing page.
* Retargeting Ads: Use retargeting ads to reach people who have visited your presave landing page but haven’t yet presaved your music. Remind them of the benefits of presaving and encourage them to take action.
* Influencer Marketing: Partner with influencers who have a large and engaged audience in your niche. Have them promote your presave link on their social media channels.
* Interactive Experiences: Create interactive experiences on your presave landing page, such as quizzes, polls, or games. This can help to increase engagement and generate excitement for your upcoming release.
Troubleshooting Common Presave Issues
* Incorrect Release Date: Double-check that you’ve entered the correct release date in your presave platform. If the release date is incorrect, your music won’t be available to presave.
* Spotify Integration Issues: Make sure that your Spotify artist profile is properly connected to your presave platform. If there are integration issues, your music may not be displayed correctly.
* Broken Links: Test your presave link to make sure it’s working correctly. If the link is broken, fans won’t be able to access your landing page.
* Mobile Optimization: Ensure that your presave landing page is optimized for mobile devices. Many people will be accessing your landing page on their phones, so it’s important to provide a good mobile experience.
* Slow Loading Speed: Optimize your landing page for speed. A slow-loading landing page can lead to high bounce rates.
Conclusion
Presaving your music on Spotify is an essential component of a successful music release strategy. By following the steps outlined in this guide and implementing effective promotion strategies, you can increase engagement, grow your follower base, and boost your music’s visibility on Spotify. Remember to choose the right presave platform for your needs, customize your landing page to match your branding, and actively promote your presave link to reach your target audience. With a well-executed presave campaign, you can set your music up for success and achieve your goals as an artist.