A successful music release doesn't happen overnight. Artists who generate hundreds of thousands of streams on their first day out didn't get lucky — they had a 4 to 6 week plan. Here is the definitive checklist.
6 weeks before: Production and distribution
- ✅ Finalized audio master (WAV 24-bit, -14 LUFS)
- ✅ Cover art designed (minimum 3000x3000 px, JPG or PNG)
- ✅ Complete metadata: title, artist, composers, genre, ISRC
- ✅ Release uploaded on DISTROM with scheduled release date
- ✅ Music video or lyric video in production
4 weeks before: Editorial pitching
- ✅ Pitch submitted on Spotify for Artists for your unreleased song
- ✅ List of 20–30 independent playlists in your genre identified
- ✅ Proposals sent to curators on SubmitHub and PlaylistPush
- ✅ Contact with music blogs and media in the genre for reviews
2 weeks before: Pre-campaign on social media
- ✅ 15-second teaser published on TikTok and Instagram
- ✅ Active pre-save page on Spotify (via SmartURL or ToneDen)
- ✅ Cover revealed on social media with the release date
- ✅ Behind-the-scenes content scheduled (story about the process, lyrics, inspiration)
- ✅ Collaboration with at least one content creator in the genre
1 week before: Final sprint
- ✅ Email to your subscriber list with the pre-save link
- ✅ WhatsApp Broadcast to closest fans
- ✅ Announcement in Discord communities, genre-specific Facebook groups
- ✅ Confirm the release appears on Spotify using the preview tool
Release day
- ✅ Post the official video or link on all networks at 12:00 AM your timezone
- ✅ Reply to every comment in the first 3 hours (engagement is key)
- ✅ Instagram Story with the direct link to Spotify and Apple Music
- ✅ TikTok with the song audio — at least 2 videos the same day
- ✅ Report the release in artist groups for mutual support
First week post-release
Spotify's algorithm evaluates your song in the first 7 days. If it generates good engagement (saves, shares, additions to personal playlists), the Artist Radio and Release Radar of your followers will amplify it. Keep content active all week.
Distribute your next release with DISTROM and receive editorial guidance at every step of the process. Start here.