Complete Music Release Checklist: Week-by-Week Guide

Audience: All Audiences | Read time: 12 min | Last updated: January 2026

A successful release requires preparation across multiple fronts: distribution, platform optimization, content creation, pre-save campaigns, team coordination, and post-release promotion. Missing any element can undermine the impact of your music.
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This comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to have ready before, during, and after release day, organized by timeline so you can work backward from your release date and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

The first 24-48 hours after release are critical for algorithmic signal generation. Streaming platforms evaluate early engagement metrics to determine whether to recommend your music to new listeners. Strong initial performance creates a positive feedback loop that can extend your release's reach significantly.
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This means the work you do before release day often matters more than what you do on release day itself. The goal of pre-release preparation is to ensure that when your music goes live, you have systems in place to generate immediate engagement that signals quality to platform algorithms.

Production quality check. Ensure your track meets professional standards. Audio should be 24-bit/44.1kHz minimum with professional mastering. Target loudness of -14 LUFS integrated for Spotify optimization. Poor audio quality increases skip rates by approximately 67%, directly undermining algorithmic performance.
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Song structure evaluation. Analyze whether your track is optimized for streaming engagement. Strong hooks should appear within the first 15 seconds. Optimal streaming length is 2:30-3:30 for most genres. Avoid extended intros that increase early skip rates.
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ISRC and metadata preparation. Obtain International Standard Recording Codes for each track. Prepare complete songwriter and producer credits. Confirm all metadata is accurate before upload.
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Album artwork. Create high-resolution artwork at minimum 3000x3000 pixels (some distributors require 3000x3000 exactly). Ensure artwork is visually distinctive at small sizes (how it appears in streaming apps). Test readability of any text at thumbnail scale.
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Press photos. Have current, high-quality press photos ready for media outreach. Multiple formats: horizontal, vertical, and square crops. Consistent with your current visual identity.
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Spotify Canvas preparation. Plan the vertical video loop (3-8 seconds) that will accompany your track on Spotify. Canvas videos increase saves by approximately 5% and streams by approximately 3%.

Choose your distributor. If you have not already selected a distributor, evaluate options based on your needs:
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DistroKid ($22.99/year unlimited) offers fast delivery and 100% royalty retention. Best for high-volume independent artists.
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TuneCore ($29.99/single, $49.99/album plus annual renewal) provides detailed analytics and publishing administration options. Best for artists prioritizing comprehensive reporting.
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CD Baby ($9.95/single, $29/album one-time fee) includes physical distribution and sync licensing opportunities. Best for artists wanting multiple revenue stream access.
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Upload your release. Allow adequate time for distributor processing and platform delivery. Most distributors recommend uploading 3-4 weeks before release date minimum.
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Verify all metadata. Double-check song title, artist name, featured artists, genre classification, explicit content flag, and release date. Metadata errors can delay releases or cause discoverability problems.
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Add complete credits. Include all songwriter and producer credits. These connect to publishing systems and affect how royalties flow to collaborators.
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Schedule release date. Friday is the global standard release day for music. This aligns with editorial playlist refresh cycles and maximizes first-week streaming counts.
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Submit to Spotify editorial. Use Spotify for Artists to pitch your track at least 7 days before release (the earlier the better, up to 4 weeks). Pitching is only available for unreleased music. Include:

Compelling story explaining the song's significance and context. Genre and mood classifications that accurately describe the track. Comparable artists that help curators understand your sound. Any relevant press, playlist history, or audience data.
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Pitch to Apple Music. Apple Music editorial pitching typically happens through label or distributor connections. If you have a distributor with editorial relationships, use their pitching tools. Focus on artistic quality and unique perspective.
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Submit to Deezer. If you have audience in Deezer's strong markets (France, Brazil, Germany, MENA region), submit through Deezer's editorial pitching system.
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Research independent playlist curators. Identify playlist curators in your genre who accept submissions. Study their curation style and submission preferences. Build genuine relationships before pitching.
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Select pre-save platform. Options include:

Feature.fm (free tier available) offers pre-saves, smart links, marketing pixels, and fan data capture.
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Linkfire ($9+/month) provides enterprise-grade analytics, team collaboration, and white-labeling.

ToneDen (free tier available) includes unlock gates, contests, social automation, and retargeting capabilities.

Laylo (free / $25 Pro) focuses on drop campaigns, SMS/email notifications, and fan messaging.
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Configure email capture. The primary value of pre-saves is not the pre-save itself but the email capture opportunity. Always gate pre-save behind email collection. Most fans will provide email in exchange for first-listen access.
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Create dedicated landing page. Include album artwork, teaser audio (if available), release date, and compelling copy explaining why fans should pre-save. Ensure mobile optimization.
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Set up tracking pixels. Install Meta Pixel and other tracking pixels on your pre-save pages if you plan to run paid advertising. This enables retargeting and conversion optimization.

Identify your TikTok moment. Determine the 15-30 second hook that will drive short-form content. This should be the most memorable, shareable, or emotionally resonant section of your song. Research shows 84% of songs entering Billboard Global 200 in 2024 went viral on TikTok first.
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Plan content series. Develop a content calendar covering pre-release through post-release. Content types to prepare:

Behind-the-scenes studio content showing the creative process. Personal stories explaining the song's meaning or inspiration. Teaser clips with compelling visual hooks. Announcement graphics optimized for each platform. Lyric-focused content for fan engagement.
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Film teaser content. Create short video teasers for social media. Optimize for each platform: vertical 9:16 for TikTok/Reels/Shorts, square 1:1 for feed posts. The first 3 seconds determine whether 70% of viewers continue watching.
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Create Spotify Canvas. Film or design your vertical video loop. Canvas should match the energy and mood of your track. Consider multiple versions for A/B testing if your distributor supports it.
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Prepare announcement graphics. Create platform-specific announcement assets. Instagram feed (square or 4:5), Instagram Stories (9:16), Twitter (16:9 or 2:1). Maintain visual consistency across platforms.
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Launch pre-save campaign. Optimal timing is 2-4 weeks before release. Earlier launches capture more emails but may lose momentum; later launches create urgency but capture fewer total sign-ups.
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Offer exclusive incentive. Incentivize pre-saves with exclusive content: early access to the track, behind-the-scenes video, acoustic version, or exclusive merch discount. The incentive should be valuable enough to justify email submission.
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Activate social promotion. Begin promoting your pre-save campaign across all platforms. Use countdown content to build anticipation. Pin pre-save link to profiles.
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Run countdown content. Create daily or weekly countdown posts as release approaches. Each post should add new information or content to maintain interest.
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Brief your team. Ensure everyone involved in your release (manager, publicist, label, collaborators) understands the timeline, their responsibilities, and the overall strategy.
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Confirm promotion budgets. Finalize any paid promotion plans. Set up ad accounts and create campaign structures if running paid media. Test landing pages and tracking before launch.
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Coordinate cross-promotion. If your track features collaborators, coordinate release announcements and cross-promotion. Ensure all parties post on release day and throughout release week.
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Align with any press or playlist contacts. If you have press coverage or playlist placements lined up, confirm timing and coordinate any exclusive windows.

Confirm distributor status. Check that your distributor shows the correct release date and that the release is scheduled for delivery. Resolve any issues immediately.
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Verify platform presence. Check that your track appears in "Upcoming" sections on streaming platforms where you have artist profiles. On Spotify for Artists, your unreleased track should appear in your Upcoming releases.
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Test all links. Click through every link in your pre-save campaign, smart links, and website. Verify that all redirects work correctly and lead to intended destinations.
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Test email automation. If you have automated emails set to trigger on release, test the automation to ensure it will fire correctly. Verify that email copy and links are accurate.
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Confirm website can handle traffic. If you're driving significant traffic to your website, ensure hosting can handle the load. Test page load speeds on mobile.
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Schedule release week posts. Prepare and schedule social media posts for release day and the following week. Include variety: announcement, appreciation, behind-the-scenes, engagement prompts.
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Draft email announcement. Write your release announcement email. Include: personal message about the song, direct streaming links, call-to-action (save, share, add to playlist), and social sharing links.
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Prepare email sequence. Beyond the release announcement, prepare follow-up emails for days 2, 4, and 7 post-release. These should provide additional value (behind-the-scenes content, story behind the song, community invitation).
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Create backup content. Prepare content for different scenarios: high engagement (thank you content, celebration), playlist placement (announcement post), lower engagement (continued promotion, different angles).
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Finalize press materials. If doing press outreach, ensure all materials are ready: press release, high-res artwork, press photos, bio, streaming links, and contact information.

Verify release is live. Check all major streaming platforms to confirm your music is available. Address any issues immediately with your distributor.
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Update smart links. Replace pre-save links with live streaming links on your smart link page. Verify all platform links are working.
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Update artist profiles. On Spotify for Artists, set your new release as your Artist Pick. Update your bio if relevant. Ensure your profile reflects the new release.
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Send pre-save notification. If your pre-save platform supports it, send release notification to everyone who pre-saved. This drives immediate streams from your most engaged fans.
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Post across all platforms. Execute your release day social media plan. Stagger posts throughout the day to maximize visibility across time zones.
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Send email announcement. Send your release announcement to your full email list. Optimal timing is typically mid-morning in your largest audience market.
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Engage actively. Monitor comments and messages throughout release day. Respond to early listeners, thank people for streams and shares, and participate in conversations about your music.
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Track early metrics. Monitor Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, and other analytics throughout the day. Note any playlist additions, geographic concentration of streams, and engagement metrics.

Coordinate team posts. Ensure collaborators, manager, label, and other team members post as planned. Reshare their posts to extend reach.

Continue content rollout. Execute your content calendar with daily posts. Vary content types to maintain engagement without fatigue.
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Monitor playlist additions. Check for any editorial or algorithmic playlist placements. If you receive placements, acknowledge them on social media to drive additional streams.
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Send follow-up emails. Day 2-3 email should share the story behind the song and encourage deeper engagement (add to playlist, share with friends).
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Engage with early supporters. Identify your most engaged listeners and thank them directly. Early superfan engagement can drive word-of-mouth.
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Analyze performance data. Review streaming platform analytics for insights: which markets are responding strongest, what's the completion rate, where are listeners finding your music.
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Adjust based on performance. If certain content or markets are performing well, double down. If something isn't working, pivot to different approaches.
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Continue paid promotion if applicable. If running ads, optimize based on early performance data. Shift budget toward best-performing audiences and creatives.
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Pitch to additional playlists. Based on early performance data, pitch to independent playlist curators with evidence of audience engagement.
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Thank engaged fans. Send appreciation messages to fans who have shared your music, created content using your song, or engaged extensively.

Plan next content phase. Begin planning content for weeks 2-4 that extends the release cycle without repeating the same messages.

Behind-the-scenes releases. Share content from music video shoots, acoustic versions, or live performance footage.
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Fan-generated content. Reshare covers, remixes, and user-generated content featuring your song. Encourage and celebrate fan creativity.
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Performance content. Release live performance clips, acoustic sessions, or visualizers to give fans new ways to experience the song.

Collaborative content. If relevant, create content with other artists, producers, or creators to extend reach to new audiences.

Remix or acoustic version. Release alternate versions to re-energize algorithmic interest and provide new content opportunities.

Music video premiere. If you have a music video, strategic timing of the premiere can extend the release cycle.

Local market focus. Based on performance data, focus promotion on your strongest geographic markets. Plan live performances or local press in concentrated areas.

Playlist pitching continuation. Continue pitching to independent and algorithmic playlists based on accumulated performance data.

Capture learnings. Document what worked and what didn't for future releases. Note which content types, timing, and promotional tactics drove the best results.

Maintain email engagement. Keep your email list engaged with ongoing content and communication, not just release announcements.

Tease upcoming music. As you approach your next release, begin hinting at new music to maintain audience interest.

Submit at least 7 days before release through Spotify for Artists, though earlier is better (up to 4 weeks). Spotify editorial teams need time to listen, evaluate, and program playlists. Late submissions significantly reduce your chances of editorial consideration.

Friday is the global standard and aligns with editorial playlist refresh cycles. Releasing on Friday maximizes your first-week streaming counts (Friday through Thursday). However, some artists experiment with other days to reduce competition for algorithmic attention. The trade-off is potential misalignment with editorial cycles.

Optimal is 2-4 weeks. Longer campaigns capture more total sign-ups but may lose momentum. Shorter campaigns create urgency but limit total capture. The primary goal is email collection, so optimize for the capture mechanism that works best for your audience.

Most releases don't receive editorial playlist placement. Focus on what you can control: strong content, engaged community, and direct fan communication. Algorithmic playlists (Release Radar, Discover Weekly) can still pick up your music based on engagement signals from your existing audience.

Compare against your previous releases and set realistic expectations based on your current audience size. Key metrics to track: completion rate (above 60% is good, above 70% is strong), save rate (above 2% indicates healthy engagement, above 4% is excellent), and follower conversion (what percentage of listeners follow your profile).

Pick your next release and work backward from the release date. Create a timeline document with specific deadlines for each phase: 6 weeks out, 4 weeks out, 2 weeks out, 1 week out, release day, and post-release. Assign responsibilities if you have a team. Build in buffer time for unexpected delays.

Use AndR to track your release performance and compare against previous releases. Understanding your historical performance helps you set realistic goals and identify which promotional tactics drive the best results for your specific audience.

Spotify for Artists Editorial Guidelines. Spotify's official guidance on pitching to editorial playlists, including best practices and timeline recommendations. Available at artists.spotify.com.

Apple Music for Artists Resources. Apple's documentation on platform optimization and editorial consideration. Available at artists.apple.com.

Music Business Worldwide Release Strategy Coverage. MBW tracks release strategy trends and best practices across the industry.

This article is part of the AndR knowledge base. Use AndR to plan your release timeline and track performance metrics across your release cycle.