My .4 Cents Spotify's Huge Update For Musicians w/ Ryan Slone
Nov 18, 2025
Join Ryan Slone, a Nashville-based veteran booking agent from Universal Attractions, as he dives into the intricacies of artist representation. He shares his journey in the music industry and the challenges of securing bookings. The discussion touches on why agents are cautious in signing new bands, the importance of persistence, and the contrasting roles of agents and managers in ticket sales. Plus, insights on adapting to digital trends like TikTok and how to navigate the fast-changing landscape of musician promotion!
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Videos Could Fix Retention Gap
- Spotify adding music videos mirrors YouTube Music's seamless audio/video toggle and aims to keep listeners engaged.
- Videos can increase retention by giving listeners something to watch while they listen, improving saves and playlist adds.
Visuals Drive Micro-Engagement
- Canvas and short loop visuals increase a listener's chance to save or follow by holding attention for extra seconds.
- Treat visuals as engagement tools rather than artistic luxuries to influence algorithmic placement.
Platform Favoritism Rewards Activity
- Spotify rewards acts that behave like 'good citizens' by signaling promotion-worthiness through activity and assets.
- Platforms crawl the web and prefer artists who actively push content and metadata.
