What are Free Options and How to Use Them? – Musosoup

When sending offers to artists on Musosoup, you must include a free alternative with every paid offer. This free alternative represents coverage you're willing to deliver even if the artist doesn't choose the paid option.

The principle is simple: you should only send offers to artists whose music you genuinely like and are happy to share with your audience.

Including a free option ensures that artists who like your publication but can't afford the paid offer can still receive coverage, and you continue sharing music you genuinely enjoy regardless of budget.

Free alternatives are required only when sending offers. They are not required for marketplace listings, where artists request coverage from you.

What Can Be Used as a Free Option?

Any valid coverage type can be used as a free alternative, such as a social media shout-out, inclusion in a roundup post, or a news mention. However, we strongly recommend using a Spotify playlist placement as your default free option.

Why Spotify Playlist Placement Works Best As a Free Option?

Spotify playlist placements are particularly effective as free alternatives for several reasons.

They cannot be monetised

Charging for playlist placement is against Spotify's terms and conditions, which means playlist placements must always be free regardless of whether you select them as a free alternative. Spotify’s T&Cs

They can be fully automated

Playlist placements are the only promo type that can be handled entirely automatically. When setting up the promo, you define how long the track stays in the playlist and the position it enters. Once an artist accepts an offer, the track is automatically added and later removed using Spotify's API. No manual work is required. | READ MORE: Adding and Managing Playlists

They provide immediate value to artists

Being added to a playlist creates a sense of instant reward, even if the artist doesn't accept the paid offer.

They support long-term relationships

Artists who have a positive experience with a free playlist placement are more likely to return for future releases, often requesting paid coverage next time.

They help grow your publication

Well-curated playlists build community, expand reach, and are frequently shared by artists who are featured in them.

Promo Types That Must Always Be Free

The following promo types cannot include a monetary contribution and must always be free:

Spotify playlist placement

SoundCloud playlist placement

YouTube playlist placement

Radio show

Alternatives If Playlists Are Not a Good Fit

If you're an influencer or creator and playlists aren't relevant to your work, you can use other forms of free coverage instead.

For example, a recurring Instagram Stories feature such as Artists I Discovered This Week, tagging artists and sharing their music with brief commentary, or short-form social content highlighting new releases.

Choose a free option that aligns naturally with how you already engage your audience.

Guidance for Playlist-Focused Curators

If you're primarily a playlister and don't offer other types of coverage, you're still required to include a playlist placement as the free option when sending offers.

If you wish to ask for monetary contribution, you can create a bundle that includes a marketing contribution for promoting the playlist. This contribution is intended to support paid promotion, such as running ads to grow the playlist.

Key points: You may retain up to 50% of the marketing budget to cover your time managing the playlist. You must always be able to provide proof that the remaining budget was spent on promotion, such as advertising.

When to Use the Marketplace Instead

If you don't wish to offer any free coverage, you should use the Marketplace exclusively. In the Marketplace, artists initiate contact by requesting your promotion and you're not required to provide a free alternative. This approach is suitable if you prefer only responding to inbound requests.

Need Help Choosing the Right Setup?

If you're unsure which free option or promo type works best for your situation, contact us at curators@musosoup.com. We're happy to help you explore different approaches and find the setup that best fits your publication or platform.