DistroKid has launched a clever free app to help artists boost their followers on Spotify. After all, the quest for more followers and streams on Spotify has become the holy grail of music marketing; and thanks to the music streamer's use of data, more streams leads to… more streams.
How Distrokid's new free Hypefollow feature works.
Pre save Spotify campaigns work best when implemented many weeks before a new release. The term “pre save” on Spotify gained popularity in 2017. Release Radar is a feature that serves users new music from artists a user follows. Smarturl Spotify pre-save review —Test the presave here. I’ve been using Smarturl for years. They initially were the service that all the labels used for, what they call, “pivot links.” Which is the landing page where all the streaming services appear for a song and you click your preferred service. They have since added Spotify pre-save.
You;re using Facebook, Instagram, or your meial list to share the news of your new music. Instead of sending them directly to Spotify, you can now send them to a 'HyperFollow' page.
An example:
Here are the benefits via DistroKid:
More followers
Anyone who clicks the button on your HyperFollow page will automatically follow you on Spotify.
Having more followers makes it more likely you’ll appear on algorithmic playlists like “Release Radar” and “Discover Weekly,” which are personalized for each Spotify listener based on various factors — including who they follow.
And as you grow your Spotify following, you’ll increase the likelihood of getting noticed by Spotify’s human & robot editors, who can potentially add you to bigger, curated playlists.
More listeners
In addition to following your artist page on Spotify, whoever clicks the button will also automatically save your album to their Spotify library.
This reduces the risk that someone will listen once and forget about you. Because you’ll be right there in their Spotify library, ready for more listens.
Also, immediately after someone clicks your HyperFollow button, they’re presented with an embedded Spotify player that has your track preloaded. So they can listen right there on the HyperFollow page. Try it here.
More contacts
You will be given each fan’s email address.
More research
You will have access to the city-level geographic location and other (anonymized) demographic information about your fans.
More insight
You’ll be able to see the other music that your fans are listening too. Even if those other artists don’t use DistroKid. #magic
More stats
You’ll know how many people visited your HyperFollow page, and how many followers you added.
Pre-save
If you’ve uploaded your release to DistroKid but it’s not yet live in Spotify, HyperFollow automatically turns into a “pre-save” service.
Fans can click the button any time — even before your album drops. DistroKid will then detect the moment your album goes live. And will automatically add all your new followers (and saves) on your release date. We’ll also email those followers & let them know they can start listening.
You don’t have to think about it or do anything.
HyperFollow is free for all DistroKid members. It’s available today, and supports all DistroKid releases — even old tracks.
To get started:
- Sign into DistroKid
- Click “Settings” (the gear icon)
- Click “HyperFollow”
If you don’t yet use DistroKid, it’s easy to join. Click here for a 10% discount off your first year’s membership.
Never underestimate the power of a well-executed pre-save campaign. Racking up pre-saves on Spotify (and other platforms like Apple Music & Tidal) can give your track the huge release day boost it needs to snowball into further success.
Spotify Pre-Saves Explained
Let’s take a look at why pre-saves are so important, how artists can get their pre-save links through Ditto Music and how to get more fans to pre-save your music.
Why are pre-saves important?
When a fan pre-saves your release, it’ll automatically appear in their Spotify, Apple Music and/or Tidal library on the day it drops.
Here’s why pre-saves should be a key part of your release strategy.
- Guarantees your fans see it in their music library from day one.
- Helps to get a high stream count early on to build momentum.
- Makes sure your music lands on Release Radar playlists.
- Boosts your chances of getting into other algorithmic & editorial playlists.
One of the biggest contributing factors to landing playlist features is your stream-to-engagement ratio.
That means it’s more than just your stream count that matters.
Spotify’s algorithm and playlist editors are looking for tracks which users are saving to their libraries and adding to their own personal playlists, not just streaming once or twice & forgetting about.
The first 24 hours after your release drops is a crucial time period. If Spotify see’s a spike in activity around your release on day one - it’s more likely to take notice.
Free Spotify Pre Save Link
In short - the more pre-saves your track gets, the more clout it has on Spotify.
If you’d like some more in-depth info around this, you can follow these links to learn more about how Spotify's algorithm works and getting your music on Discover Weekly.
How to find your pre-save links
It’s really easy to get hold of pre-save links for Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. Here’s how:
1. Release your music to Spotify, Apple Music & Tidal through Ditto.
2. Log in to your Ditto account & head to 'My Releases’.
3. Select 'View SmartLink' next to the release in question.
And there it is! All your pre-save links in one place. You can learn more about Ditto SmartLinks here.
How to get more pre-saves
Upload your music well in advance of your release date
The more time you allow before your release date, the more time you’ll have to plug your pre-save links.
Ideally, you should try to get your music into Spotify's system around 4-6 weeks before your release date.
This also gives plenty of time for it to be approved and accepted by Spotify. Then once it’s approved, you’ll receive your SmartLink.
That’s your cue to start your pre-save campaign and pitch for playlists through Spotify for Artists!
Plan a pre-save promo campaign
Your pre-save link should be the main focus of your promo campaign in the run-up to your release date.
Spotify Pre Save Free
Share teasers, acoustic performances and other sneak peaks of your track alongside your pre-save link, encouraging all your fans to hit pre-save and listen on repeat when release day arrives.
If you need a little help organising your promo campaign, you can download our social media campaign planner here.
Share your links everywhere
Whenever and wherever you post about your upcoming release, make sure your pre-save links are included.
You can get bonus points from Spotify’s algorithm when you bring in listeners from “off-platform”, so whether you’re posting on Insta, Twitter, Facebook or anywhere else, get sharing and drive fans to your pre-saves.
Reward fans when they pre-save
Sometimes fans need a little motivation to take action!
So why not give away exclusive prizes to one or all of the people who pre-save or pre-order your release?
How To Save Spotify Music
You could give away free merch, free downloads or even tickets to your next show to people who save your track in advance. Incentives and competition are a great way to get people’s attention and engagement, especially across social media.
Pre Save Albums On Spotify
Have you had success with a pre-save promo campaign? Or have any tips for other artists trying to plug their pre-save link? Let us know in the comments below.