Release Plan: How to Plan the 4 Weeks Before Your Release

Your song is done and you want to put it out. Upload it today and have it live tomorrow, and you miss a lot of chances. With a four-week plan you have time for your pitch, your promo and all the small things you'd otherwise forget.

Week 4: get everything ready and upload

• Check your master. Is your track mixed and mastered? Measure it with the free Master Checker and read how many LUFS you need for Spotify.
• Make your cover. Stick to the requirements so it doesn't get rejected. Read the cover art requirements.
• Get your details in order. Title, artist name, features, who wrote what and the split.
• Upload to your distributor. DistroKid recommends uploading about four weeks in advance if you want your song to go live everywhere on the same day. How uploading works is in how to put your own music on Spotify.

Week 3: Spotify for Artists and your pitch

• Make sure you have access. With the UPC code of your release you can request access before the song is out. Read how to claim Spotify for Artists.
• Pitch your song. Pitch to Spotify's editors at least 7 days before release. Earlier is better, so you're safe. Read how to pitch your song to Spotify playlists.
• Register the song. Signed up with a collecting society? Register your song right away. In the Netherlands, read how to sign up with BumaStemra and Sena.

Week 2: make content

• Make short videos. A piece of your hook, a look inside the studio, your lyrics on screen. Make several, so you can post something every day.
• Set up a pre-save. Many distributors give you a link that lets fans save your song in advance. Share it everywhere.
• Try an alternate version. A slowed or sped up version of your hook often works well in short videos. Make one quickly with the free slowed + reverb maker.

Week 1: announce it

• Announce the release date and keep sharing your pre-save link.
• Get your Canvas ready in Spotify for Artists.
• Send your song to people who can share it: friends, other artists, local playlist curators.

Release day and after

• Share the link everywhere and set the song as your Artist Pick.
• Keep posting in the weeks after. A release isn't done after one day.
• Getting a claim on YouTube? Read what to do about a Content ID claim.

Track doesn't sound finished yet? Get it done with mixing and mastering.

FAQ

How far in advance should I upload?

DistroKid recommends about four weeks, so your song goes live everywhere on the same day. Other distributors may differ.

When should I pitch to Spotify?

At least 7 days before release, through Spotify for Artists.

Can I release faster?

You can, but you'll have less time for your pitch and promo. A few extra weeks gets more out of your release.

Source: DistroKid's help pages on uploading and Spotify for Artists on pitching.