π Dominate the Noise: The 6-Week Music Pre-Release Checklist
Stop Your Release from Getting Lost in the Crowd
In today’s hyper-saturated music industry, simply uploading a track isn’t enough. Every day, over 100,000 new songs hit streaming services. To cut through the noise and give your music the best shot at success, a strategic, timeline-based approach is essential.
This 6-week pre-release checklist is your roadmap, ensuring every crucial stepβfrom setting up distribution to securing press and creating viral-ready marketing assetsβis executed on time.
π The 6-Week Pre-Release Timeline
Week 6: The Foundation & Distribution Lock-in
This is the most critical week. You must initiate the distribution process now to guarantee your track is delivered to all platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, etc.) with enough lead time for playlist pitching and internal platform reviews.
| Task | Detail & SEO Focus | Keywords to Target |
| 1. Choose Your Distributor | Select a reliable music distribution service (e.g., DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby). Ensure they offer fast delivery and robust analytics. | music distribution, best music distributor, release music online |
| 2. Upload & Schedule Release | Upload the final, mastered audio file. Crucially, set the release date for exactly 6 weeks from now. This is non-negotiable for playlist pitching. | schedule music release, Spotify pre-save link, mastered audio file |
| 3. Finalize Artwork | Commission or design high-quality, professional song artwork. Check your distributor’s size and resolution requirements (usually a perfect square, 3000x3000px recommended). | song artwork design, album cover requirements, professional music graphics |
| 4. Create a Press Kit (EPK) | Update your Electronic Press Kit (EPK) with new photos, a current bio, and compelling one-sheet info about the upcoming single. | electronic press kit, music artist bio, press kit for musicians |
Week 5: Marketing Assets & Internal Pitching
With distribution locked, focus shifts to creating content that fans and music platform editors will engage with.
Secure the Pre-Save Link: Get the unique pre-save URL from your distributor. This is your primary call-to-action for the next month.
Pitch to Spotify Editorial: Utilize the Spotify for Artists dashboard to pitch your track to Spotify’s editorial curators. You must do this at least 3 weeks before release. Include genre tags and a powerful story about the song.
Draft Social Media Content: Develop a 30-day content calendar. Create 15-second teaser videos for Instagram Reels and TikTok. Focus on short, catchy clips using the music.
Launch Pre-Save Campaign: Start sharing your pre-save link across all social channels and in your email newsletter.
Week 4: Hype Building & Media Targets
The engine is revving. Time to target external sources for press and features.
Identify Press Targets: Research blogs, music journalists, and niche publications that cover your specific music genre. Create a targeted list of 10-20 contacts.
Draft the Press Release: Write a compelling music press release. Focus on the story behind the song and why a publication’s audience should care.
Create Teaser/Lyric Video: Produce a low-cost, high-engagement visual asset (e.g., a simple lyric video or a captivating, looping visualizer) to be uploaded to YouTube next week.
Email List Segmenting: Prepare a series of emails specifically for your superfans, giving them early access to snippets or behind-the-scenes content.
Week 3: Outreach & Influencers
This is the main press outreach week. Your goal is to secure features or reviews that will drop on or around your release date.
Press Outreach – Phase 1: Send personalized emails with your private SoundCloud link (or distribution service’s private link) and your press release to your targeted list of contacts. Follow up gently after 3-4 days.
Influencer/Curator Outreach: Reach out to smaller Spotify playlist curators and TikTok influencers whose audience aligns with your sound. Offer them the track to feature.
Upload YouTube Content: Schedule your teaser, lyric video, or music visualizer to go live one week before the release date to build anticipation.
Week 2: Final Checks & Audience Engagement
Your release is imminent. It’s time for the final technical and promotional push.
Verify Platform Data: Double-check that your track metadata, artist name, and artwork are appearing correctly on your distributor’s dashboard.
Targeted Ads (Optional but Recommended): Launch a small, highly targeted ad campaign (Facebook/Instagram/TikTok) directing traffic to your Spotify pre-save link. Focus on lookalike audiences or fans of similar artists.
Host an Interactive Session: Go live on Instagram or TikTok to talk about the track, answer fan questions, and create a sense of shared anticipation.
Release Week (Week 1): The Launch & Follow-Up
The song is out! Now, the real work of sustaining momentum begins.
Release Day (Friday):
Post Everywhere: Announce the release across all platforms with a direct link.
Email Blast: Send a “It’s Out!” email to your entire mailing list.
Update Bio Links: Change all “Link in Bio” URLs to the single’s direct streaming link.
Press Follow-Up: Send a short, appreciative follow-up email to all journalists and curators who featured you.
Engage with Fans: Spend hours engaging with every comment, share, and story tag. Algorithm success is built on engagement.
Measure & Adapt: Track which marketing assets (TikToks, Reels, etc.) are generating the most streams. Double down on that format for the subsequent week.
π Key Takeaway for Music Success
In a crowded market, time is your biggest asset. Never rush distribution. Giving yourself the full 6-week lead time is the difference between a forgotten upload and a genuinely successful new music release that lands on official playlists and earns press coverage.
Start your planning today!
π§ Ready to drop your next single?
What is the next step you need help with? I can help you draft a compelling press release, or research the top music blogs for your specific genre!
