Releasing a song involves a lot more than hitting “upload.” A good release is planned in stages, and getting the timing right is the difference between a song that quietly appears and one that has a real shot at playlists and streams. Here’s a checklist you can follow for every release.
Step 1 — Get the music ready
- Finish and master the track (a proper master makes a real difference).
- Finalise your cover art (check your distributor’s size and format rules).
- Lock in the title and any version label (e.g. “Radio Edit”).
- Gather your credits — featured artists, songwriters, producers.
Step 2 — Set your release date (4–6 weeks out)
- Pick a date far enough ahead to plan around. Fridays are the industry standard.
- Don’t release the same day you upload — you need lead time to pitch.
Step 3 — Upload to your distributor (3–4 weeks before)
- Upload your audio, artwork and complete metadata.
- Confirm your ISRC and UPC are assigned.
- Choose your platforms and territories.
- This lead time is what unlocks Spotify playlist pitching.
Step 4 — Pitch and pre-save (2–3 weeks before)
- Submit the track to Spotify’s editorial team through Spotify for Artists — at least a week before release, earlier if you can.
- Set up a pre-save link so fans can save the song before it drops.
- Reach out to independent playlist curators and any blogs that suit your sound.
Step 5 — Build anticipation (1–2 weeks before)
- Tease the song on social media: short clips, behind-the-scenes, countdowns.
- Make a few short vertical videos for TikTok and Reels using the track.
- Tell your email list the date, if you have one.
Step 6 — Release week
- Share the stream/pre-save link everywhere on release day.
- Post the song as a TikTok and Reels sound, and encourage others to use it.
- Update your bio links and pinned posts to point to the new release.
- Engage with everyone who shares or comments.
Step 7 — After release
- Add the song to your own playlists and set it as your artist profile pick.
- Keep posting clips for the first couple of weeks — momentum matters more than day one.
- Check your Spotify for Artists and distributor analytics to see what’s landing.
- Keep submitting to playlists now that the song is live.
One rule of thumb: the work before release matters more than release day itself. The artists who get traction are the ones who give themselves enough lead time to pitch, pre-save and build a little anticipation — so start the clock 4–6 weeks out, not the night before.
