&TillyResubmitting a song to a playlist curator is something many artists consider, especially after a previously featured track gets rotated off. It’s natural to think, “They liked it once, so why wouldn’t they add it again?” And, in some ways, that’s true. But before you hit resubmit, it’s important to know when it makes sense and when it might work against you.
When resubmitting makes sense
There are definitely times when resubmitting your track can be a smart move – it usually comes down to timing and context.
One clear example is seasonal songs. If you have a track tied to a specific time of year, like a Christmas song or an autumn-inspired tune, it can make sense to resubmit when that season or holiday rolls around again. A curator might rotate your song off after the holidays, but they might just like it enough to feature it again when the season returns.
Relevance is also key. Even if your song fits the genre of a popular playlist, timing can matter. If it’s not a fresh release (and the playlist is, for ex., called Fresh in Pop), or if the playlist’s vibe has shifted, it might be best to hold off. It’s worth checking the playlist after your song’s been removed – maybe the curator switched up the mood to keep things energetic, or swapped most songs for something different, suggesting they’re going in a new direction for now.
That being said, if your song is a perfect thematic match (imagine an indie folk tune called Jedi Knights on a “may the FOLK be with you” playlist), and the curator really liked it before, there’s a solid chance they might add it back again.
… and what to watch out for so you don't feel pushy when resubmitting
While resubmitting can sometimes pay off, it can also come across as impatient or pushy if not approached thoughtfully. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Curators rotate tracks to keep their playlists fresh. Even if a playlist feels consistent, the best approach is often to keep listeners engaged is often through regular updates – adding new tracks and removing others to prevent it from becoming too long. A curator might have really liked your song, and rotating it out doesn’t mean they’ve changed their mind. It’s usually more about keeping the playlist dynamic. Resubmitting right after your song is removed might seem like you’re overlooking this need for variety, coming off as a little too eager.
There’s no guarantee the curator will re-add your song, even if they approved it before – and that should be perfectly fine. Just because they liked it once doesn’t mean it’ll fit with their current playlist vibe, or that they liked it enough to keep forever.
A thoughtful resubmission is often your best bet. Respect the curator’s freedom to make choices based on their current goals rather than pushing with a “You liked it once, so add it again!”
Tips for Resubmitting a Song
If you’re considering resubmitting a track, here are some tips to boost your chances of success and keep your relationship with curators positive:
- Wait before resubmitting
Patience is truly crucial here. If your track was recently removed, give the curator time to refresh their playlist. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least 2–4 weeks before resubmitting. For seasonal songs, you might want to wait even longer – until the next relevant season rolls around.
- Manage your expectations
Even if your song was a fit before, things can change. Curators may feel differently about it after featuring it for a while, or their playlist may have shifted in direction. Approach resubmissions without expecting an automatic “yes” – maybe even telling honestly them that you felt it deserves another go, but there's no pressure if they don't feel the same.
💡 Good to know: Some curators might refund your submission if they don’t want to re-add it, but they’re also within their rights to decline, so it’s best to be prepared for either outcome.
- Don’t resubmit more than once
If a curator has already re-added and then re-removed your song, avoid resubmitting it again. If they’d wanted it long-term, they’d just have… kept it. Multiple resubmissions can come across as pushy, which could impact your chances for future submissions, too.
- Don’t resubmit to blogs
Blog submissions are a bit different from playlist placements. Once a blog has featured or passed on a song, resubmitting is usually not a good idea. Blogs focus on the “newness” factor and are quite unlikely to cover the same track twice.
- Avoid payola
Be cautious about mixing financial support with submissions. For example, if you support a curator on Patreon or Ko-fi, avoid resubmitting right after, as it may seem like you’re paying for placement. This violates guidelines for both Spotify and SubmitHub and could negatively impact both your profile and the curator’s.
So, how to resubmit a track to a SubmitHub curator?
If you’ve decided to resubmit your track to a specific curator, you can go about it:
- From the curator’s profile:
If you have a particular curator in mind, you can go directly to their profile and submit your song again. It's good to check if they’re open to resubmissions – some may have notes about this in their About section.
- From the usual submission process, within the list of curators:
You can resubmit a song as part of a normal campaign – just head to the submission part, and when you reach the list of curators, toggle the “Let me resend to outlets” filter. You can also use the search box to find a specific curator or playlist after that.
- Pro tip for both approaches:
Include a brief note in your quick pitch explaining why you’re resubmitting the song. Acknowledge it’s a resubmission and share why you think it’s still a good fit. A straightforward, personalized note can help the curator see your reasoning and may make them more open to re-adding it.
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Wrapping up (on a good note)
Resubmitting a track can be effective – but only when done thoughtfully. Overdoing it may come across as pushy, and curators typically have limited space, which is a good thing to keep in mind. If you genuinely feel your song would fit their playlist again – especially if the season is right – resubmitting could be more than worth it. After all, if your track worked once, it might just be a good fit again!