As part of our recent platform updates, we've added a brand-new feature to all user dashboards: Starter Packs.
If you are looking for a way to hit the ground running with a new release, Starter Packs are your ultimate all-in-one solution. This new option is designed to give your track the best possible coverage in one go by offering bundled promotion opportunities.
We're breaking down exactly what Starter Packs are, where to find them, how to use them, and how they can give your music the momentum it deserves. Log into your account today to follow along and check them out!
The Basics
Please keep in mind that Songtools requires at least one track to already be live on Spotify in order to use the platform. All of our promotion tools, including Starter Packs, are designed for the post-release stage, so your track must first be officially released and available on Spotify before you can launch a pack.
Where to Find Your Starter Packs
Getting started is simple. Once your track is live on Spotify, head over to your dashboard:
- Select the specific song you want to promote.
- Look to the left-hand sidebar and click on the brand-new "Start" tab.
Choosing the Right Pack for Your Release
From the "Start" tab, you will see three different Starter Pack options to choose from:
- Signal Sampler: This pack focuses exclusively on sending signals. It includes personalized playlist selections that are carefully matched to your target audience and budget.
- Starter Pack (Recommended): This is our main, recommended bundle. It includes a powerful combination of Signals plus a Standard 7-day Playlisting Campaign.
- Momentum Pack: For maximum sustained reach, this option includes Signals along with a longer, Standard 2-week (14 days) Playlisting Campaign.
Pro-Tip: Update Your Genre!
- While you are in the "Start" section, you can also update the genre of your track. It is incredibly important to make sure this is set to the correct genre, as this is what determines which playlists your track is matched to and a best fit for.
For more information on how this genre (and other qualities) are matched, you can refer to our other post: How Our Music Discovery Ecosystem Connects Artists and Playlisters
The Benefits & Value of Starter Packs
- All-in-One Bundling: Combine Playlisting and Signals campaigns into a single purchase, exposing your track to opportunities that are highly targeted and broad enough to ensure the best possible coverage.
- Quality Over Quantity: When you launch a Starter Pack, our system prioritizes playlist fit and impact over raw numbers, automatically matching your song with the highest-compatibility playlists available.
- Automated Budget Optimization: Because larger, higher-impact playlists require more credits to pitch to, our system automatically allocates your budget to give you the maximum total value.
- Strategic Pitching for Maximum Reach: For example, rather than sending 10 pitches to smaller, less impactful playlists, your budget might be strategically used to secure 5 high-quality, targeted pitches—giving your music the best possible reach and engagement.
FAQ's
1. Can I apply a discount code to my Starter Pack purchase?
Discount codes cannot be applied to Starter Packs. They can only be redeemed when checking out for an individual, standard Playlisting campaign (which is usually set to 7 days, unless your specific code states otherwise).
2. Why did my campaign pitch to fewer playlists than I expected?
Our Starter Packs prioritize playlist quality and fit over raw quantity. Your budget is automatically allocated to secure the highest-compatibility matches. This means your budget might be used to secure 5 high-quality, high-impact pitches rather than 10 smaller ones, ensuring your music gets the most valuable reach and engagement.
3. How do I know which of the three packs is right for me? It depends on how much momentum you want to build right out of the gate!
- Signal Sampler: Best if you just want to test the waters to see how a new release will resonate. This pack focuses solely on sending Signals to personalized, budget-friendly playlist selections.
- Starter Pack: The sweet spot for any release. This bundles Signals with a standard 7-day Playlisting Campaign to give your track immediate, robust coverage.
- Momentum Pack: Best for sustained reach, making it a great option for a track that has already proven to resonate with listeners. This includes Signals plus a full 2-week standard Playlisting Campaign to keep your momentum going longer.
Key Takeaways
- All-in-One Momentum: Starter Packs are the ultimate bundled solution (combining Playlisting and Signals) to give your live tracks immediate, comprehensive exposure with a single purchase.
- Flexible Campaign Tiers: You can choose the exact level of promotion you need right from the dashboard's "Start" tab.
- Strategic Optimization: Your budget is automatically prioritized for quality over quantity, targeting high-impact playlists that offer the maximum possible value and engagement.
- Accuracy is Key: Setting the correct genre within the Starter Pack menu is a crucial step that empowers the system to accurately match your music with the most highly-compatible playlists.
Ready to give your release the push it deserves? Log in to your dashboard, navigate to the new "Start" tab, and launch your first Starter Pack today: https://www.songtools.io/
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
