Topic 13 of 16
Release Strategy
Plan Your Release Like a Campaign
Releasing a song without a strategy is like launching a product with no marketing plan. Even a small, well-executed campaign dramatically improves visibility, playlist placement, and first-week numbers — all signals that algorithms and editors watch closely.
Release Timeline Template
| Time Before Release | Action |
|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks out | Finalize mastered audio + artwork; choose release date; book photography |
| 6–8 weeks out | Submit to distributor; register with PRO and MLC; create press kit |
| 4–6 weeks out | Pitch to Spotify editorial via Spotify for Artists (must be 7+ days pre-release) |
| 3–4 weeks out | Send to music blogs, playlist curators, and press outlets; shoot music video |
| 2 weeks out | Begin social media build-up (teasers, countdowns, behind-the-scenes) |
| 1 week out | Announce release date officially; push pre-save links |
| Release day | Post across all channels; engage with fans; thank supporters |
| 1–4 weeks after | Continue promotion; pitch to additional playlists; pitch for editorial reviews |
Choosing Your Release Date
- Friday is the global standard music release day (since 2015 worldwide New Music Friday)
- Avoid major holidays and competing high-profile releases in your genre
- Give yourself at least 3–4 weeks of runway for pitching and building anticipation
- Consider seasonal relevance for your song's theme
Singles vs. Albums vs. EPs
- Singles: Best for new artists building an audience. Algorithms favor consistent activity. Release every 4–8 weeks.
- EPs (3–6 songs): Good middle ground — more depth than a single, less commitment than an album.
- Albums: Significant effort and investment. Best when you have an established audience and clear artistic statement.
- Strategy: Many artists now release lead singles from an album months before the album drops to build momentum.
Pre-Save Campaigns
Pre-save links allow fans to save your song to their Spotify library before it's released. On release day, it appears in their "Release Radar" playlist, boosting first-day saves. Tools:
- Hypeddit — free pre-save landing pages
- Feature.fm — smart links and pre-saves with email capture
- Toneden — fan links, pre-saves, and retargeting
- SubmitHub — submit to blogs and playlist curators simultaneously
The algorithm window
The first 7–14 days of a release are critical for algorithm-driven playlist placements (Release Radar, Radio, Discovery Weekly). Maximize activity in this window with targeted pitching, social posts, and fan engagement.
Playlist Pitching
- Spotify for Artists: Official editorial pitch — submit at least 7 days before release
- SubmitHub: Submit to independent curators and blogs ($0.50–$1 per submission)
- Groover: Pitch to curators and influencers in Europe and globally (€2/submission)
- Daily Playlist: Independent curator submissions
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is based on official sources when available. We are not affiliated with any government or legal organization. This is not legal advice.