How to Get More Music Streams

Posted by Onassis Krown on April 30, 2025

The Ultimate Guide on How to Get More Streams for Your Independent Music

In today’s music landscape, independent artists have more power and tools at their fingertips than ever before. You don’t need a major label deal to build a loyal fanbase, rack up streams, or make a living from your music. But let’s be honest: the freedom of independence also means the pressure of doing everything yourself. From writing and producing tracks to marketing and promotion, the hustle is real.

Whether you’re just starting out or already have a few songs released, this guide will walk you through practical, actionable steps to get more streams for your independent music—without selling your soul or spending a fortune.

1. Make Sure the Music Is Stream-Ready

Before you dive into promotion, it’s critical to ask yourself: is the music actually ready?

This isn’t just about whether you love the song. Ask yourself:

Is the production quality up to par with top artists in your genre?
Has the track been mixed and mastered professionally?
Does the track have a strong hook or moment that grabs attention in the first 10 seconds?

Streaming listeners are brutal with attention spans. You’ve got seconds—literally—to make an impression. If your track doesn’t sound polished or the intro drags, people will skip it.

Tip: Use reference tracks. Compare your song side-by-side with similar songs on Spotify or Apple Music to hear how it holds up in terms of loudness, clarity, and energy.

2. Optimize Your Metadata & Cover Art

Your track could be fire, but if your presentation is sloppy, it won’t matter.

Cover Art: This is your first impression. Make sure it’s high resolution, professionally designed, and representative of the vibe of your song.
Title: Keep it simple, catchy, and searchable. Avoid weird characters or spelling that makes it hard to find.
Artist Name Consistency: Use the exact same name across all platforms.
Genre Tags: These help algorithms place your song in the right places, so choose wisely.
Lyrics and Credits: Adding lyrics and properly tagging producers, writers, and featured artists can improve discoverability.

These small details help your song look and feel professional—which builds trust and encourages more streams.

3. Distribute Smartly with the Right Tools

Choosing a music distributor is one of your most important business decisions. Services like DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, and UnitedMasters can get your music onto major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and Tidal.

Here’s what to look for:

Speed of delivery: How fast they get your music live.
Revenue splits: Watch out for fees or revenue sharing.
Analytics dashboard: You’ll want insights into how your music is performing.
Playlist pitching tools: Some distributors offer built-in submission to Spotify editors.

And don’t forget to register your music with a PRO (Performing Rights Organization) like BMI or ASCAP so you can collect royalties from performances and plays.

4. Nail Your Spotify Artist Profile

Your Spotify for Artists profile is your music storefront. Treat it like one.

Upload a high-quality profile and header image.
Write an engaging bio with links to your social media and website.
Add Artist Playlists to show off your influences or curate vibes for your fans.
Pin Your Latest Release to the top of your profile.
Use Canvas (looping visuals) for every song—it increases engagement.

Spotify rewards artists who fully engage with their platform. The more you use their tools, the more discoverability opportunities they’ll send your way.

5. Submit to Spotify Editorial and User Playlists

Editorial playlists can change your career—but they’re competitive. Here’s how to increase your chances:

Submit at least 7 days before release via Spotify for Artists.
Choose your genre and mood tags carefully.
Provide a strong, story-driven pitch in the submission form. Mention your inspirations, the song’s message, and any marketing plans.
Be consistent. Spotify curators are more likely to pay attention when they see you releasing quality music regularly.

Aside from editorial, user-generated playlists can be goldmines. Search for curators on platforms like:

SubmitHub
Daily Playlists
Playlist Push
Soundplate

Or reach out manually. Find relevant playlists on Spotify, search the curator’s name or brand online, and send a short, respectful pitch with a streaming link.

6. Create a Pre-Save Campaign

Just like pre-orders for albums, pre-saves help build momentum for your upcoming track.

Use platforms like Hypedit, Feature.fm, or ToneDen to set up a landing page.
Offer something in exchange for the pre-save: a free download, discount code, or behind-the-scenes content.
Promote it across your social media, email list, and DMs.
Ask your fans to not only pre-save but also share it with friends.

Spotify sees those pre-saves as early interest, which can increase the odds of algorithmic exposure once the song goes live.

7. Use Social Media Strategically

You don’t need to go viral, but you do need to be visible.

Here’s a streamlined strategy for content creation:

Instagram: Post polished photos, song clips, behind-the-scenes, and mini music videos. Use Reels to capitalize on reach.
TikTok: Test trends, lip-syncs, challenges, or storytelling videos set to your song.
YouTube Shorts: Post vertical videos teasing your song or showing the story behind it.
Twitter/X & Threads: Share thoughts, lyrics, and personal experiences tied to your music journey.
Facebook & Groups: Still useful, especially for older audiences or niche genre communities.

Important: Use your song in the background of every video. That counts as a stream on platforms like TikTok, and it builds familiarity.

8. Leverage Your Email List and SMS Marketing

Social media algorithms come and go—but email and texts go directly to your fans.

Start building a list today using platforms like:

Mailchimp or ConvertKit for email
Community or SlickText for SMS

What to send:

Announce new releases and pre-saves.
Share personal stories, lyrics, or inspirations behind your songs.
Offer exclusive content like demos, unreleased tracks, or merch discounts.

If 100 loyal fans open your emails and stream your track, that’s more valuable than chasing 1,000 random plays.

9. Collaborate with Other Independent Artists

Collaboration is one of the fastest ways to grow your streams. Why?

You get access to each other’s fanbases, and both of you benefit from the shared exposure.

Ideas for collaborations:

Feature each other on a track.
Do a remix or acoustic version.
Go live together on Instagram or TikTok.
Create joint content: freestyles, challenges, duets.

When you drop a collab, make sure both artists push it hard. Tag each other on all platforms and cross-promote via newsletters and playlists.

10. Tap Into Influencers and Micro-Creators

You don’t need Kylie Jenner to post your track. Micro-influencers (people with 1,000 to 50,000 followers) often have higher engagement—and they’re more accessible.

Here’s how to tap in:

Find creators in your niche or genre on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
DM them a short, friendly message with a link to your song.
Offer value: let them use the song in a video, or provide exclusive access to upcoming music.
If your budget allows, offer a small payment or gift card in exchange.

Even a handful of influencers using your track in Reels or TikToks can spark traction.

11. Run Targeted Ads (the Right Way)

Paid ads can supercharge your streams—if done correctly. Otherwise, you’ll burn cash fast.

Start with Facebook/Instagram Ads since they’re the most versatile. Here’s a simple funnel:

Create a 15-second video clip of your song’s best part.
Use interest targeting (fans of similar artists, genres, etc.).
Send users to a smart link that routes them to their preferred platform (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.).
Track conversions. Use a pixel or analytics to monitor which platforms and demographics are working best.

Keep testing creatives and audiences to optimize over time.

Pro tip: Retarget your engaged audience later with new releases.

12. Get Press and Blog Coverage

Music blogs and press features help build social proof, SEO, and more exposure.

Here’s how to approach them:

Create a press kit (EPK) with bio, photos, links, and a brief about your latest release.
Identify blogs that feature indie artists in your genre.
Send a short pitch: who you are, what the song is about, and why it matters.
Be personal—mention a recent article or podcast episode they did.

Sites like Hype Machine, Indie Shuffle, EARMILK, and Atwood Magazine often support indie artists.

13. Go Local: Perform, Network & Build Offline Buzz

In a digital world, don’t forget the power of local love.

Perform at open mics, showcases, and festivals.
Sell CDs and merch at shows with QR codes linking to your streaming platforms.
Network with local DJs, radio hosts, and music collectives.
Get your song played at local events or clubs.

Local buzz often translates into online momentum—plus, you’ll build a real community that supports your music long term.

14. Use Streaming Analytics to Guide Your Next Moves

Once your music is out there, study the data:

Where are your listeners located?
Which songs are getting saved or added to playlists?
What’s your listener-to-follower ratio?

Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, and your distributor’s dashboard offer a goldmine of insights.

Use this data to:

Choose cities for touring or targeting ads.
Decide which songs to promote harder or remix.
Understand what’s resonating most with your audience.

Smart artists don’t just chase streams—they analyze them.

15. Be Consistent and Patient

This is the biggest “secret” of all: the artists who win are the ones who don’t stop.

Streaming success rarely happens overnight. It’s the result of:

Releasing great music consistently
Improving with every drop
Learning from every campaign
Building your fanbase brick by brick

Give your songs time to breathe. A track that gets 50 streams today could snowball into thousands months later—especially if you keep the momentum going.

Final Thoughts: Your Music Deserves to Be Heard

Getting more streams isn’t just about luck or algorithms. It’s about strategy, persistence, and creativity. If you believe in your music, commit to the long game. Keep showing up, keep evolving, and keep putting your art into the world.

Every stream is a person choosing to press play. Honor that—and build on it.

Now go get those plays.

Lateef Warnick is the founder of Onassis Krown. He currently serves as a Senior Healthcare Consultant in the Jacksonville FL area and is a Certified Life Coach, Marriage Counselor, Keynote Speaker and Author of "Know Thyself," "The Golden Egg" and "Wear Your Krown." He is also a former Naval Officer, Licensed Financial Advisor, Insurance Agent, Realtor, Serial Entrepreneur and musical artist A.L.I.A.S.

Tags: Music Streams

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