I hear you—AI-generated marketing copy can often feel a bit “surgical” and dry. Let’s strip away the corporate buzzwords and write this like an experienced artist or manager talking to a peer.

Here is a version that feels more grounded, conversational, and authentic.

Don’t Just “Drop” Your Music: The 4-Week Release Playbook

We’ve all been there. You finish a track, you’re buzzing with excitement, and you want to hit “upload” immediately. You want the world to hear it now.

But here’s the cold truth: if you just drop a link on a Friday morning without a plan, you’re basically whispering in a hurricane. To get the algorithm’s attention—and more importantly, your fans’ attention—you need a lead-up.

I’ve broken this down into a strict 4-week timeline. It’s a lot of work, but if you follow this, you won’t be left wondering why your play count is stuck at zero on release day.

4 Weeks Out: The “Admin” Week

This week is all about the boring stuff so you can focus on the fun stuff later.

• The Distribution Deadline: Get your song uploaded to DistroKid, TuneCore, or wherever you host. Set your release date for 4 weeks from today. This is non-negotiable if you want a shot at the big playlists.

• Pitch to Spotify Editors: As soon as your song shows up in your “Upcoming” tab on Spotify for Artists, pitch it. Don’t overthink it—tell them a brief story about what inspired the song and what “vibe” it fits.

• The Pre-Save Setup: Grab your URI/link and create a pre-save page (ToneDen or Hypeddit are the standards). This is how you build momentum before the song even exists.

2 Weeks Out: Start Making Noise

Now that the technical stuff is out of the way, it’s time to start talking.

• The Tease: Post a clip of the best part of the song (usually the hook) on Reels and TikTok. Use the “original audio” and tell people why you wrote it. Don’t just say “coming soon”—give them a reason to care.

• The EPK Refresh: Make sure your press kit isn’t outdated. If a blogger or playlist curator looks you up, they should see your latest photos and a bio that doesn’t sound like it was written in 2019.

• The Personal Touch: Send an email to your mailing list. Share a “behind-the-scenes” photo or an early demo snippet. Make them feel like they’re part of the inner circle.

1 Week Out: The Home Stretch

This is where the nerves kick in. Channel that energy into the final details.

• Visuals: Upload your Spotify Canvas. It’s that 8-second loop that plays on the phone screen. It makes your profile look 10x more professional.

• The Countdown: Use the countdown sticker on Instagram Stories. It reminds people to check back, and they can even opt-in for a notification when the clock hits zero.

• Check Your Links: Click your own links. Make sure they actually work. You’d be surprised how many releases get derailed by a broken URL.

Release Day: Full Send

Today isn’t the day to be humble. Go loud.

• The “Out Now” Blast: Update your bio link immediately. If someone clicks your profile today, they should be one tap away from the music.

• Go Live: Hop on Instagram or TikTok Live for 15 minutes. Play the song, talk to your followers, and thank them for sticking around.

• The Artist Pick: Set your new single as your “Artist Pick” on your Spotify profile so it’s sitting right at the top.

• Share the Love: If you get added to a playlist—even a small one—share it and tag the curator. They’re humans too, and they appreciate being recognized.

The Cheat Sheet (Save This)