Plan your release backward from your release date
Tell us the Friday your music comes out. You'll get every step from mixing to monetizing with a deadline on it, so you always know what to do this week.
Your release plan
Want the how, not just the when? The Releasify Checklist walks you through every one of these steps with a resource and a deep dive for each.
Get the full checklistHow far in advance should you plan your release?
Further than you think, and less than you fear. Once your songs are written, most independent singles need six to twelve weeks of runway. A full album with videos, vinyl and a release show can easily need six months. The trick is to work backward from release day and give each phase its own window. One to six weeks per phase is the range we recommend.
| When | What should be happening |
|---|---|
| First | Write your songs. Everything else in the plan hangs on them, so they get the longest runway. |
| 12+ weeks out | Set your goal and budget, choose your platforms, book studio, mix and mastering sessions. |
| 8β12 weeks out | Record, mix and master. Shoot cover art and video while the engineers work. Start warming up your fans. |
| 4β6 weeks out | Organize your files and metadata, upload to your distributor, register with your PRO, SoundExchange and the Copyright Office. |
| 2β4 weeks out | Pitch Spotify editors, launch your pre-save, audit your website and socials, line up press, influencers and your release show. |
| Final 2 weeks | Countdown, fan challenge teaser, fan prizes, and a hard push on pre-saves and pre-orders. |
| Release week | Swap every link to "out now," email your list first, post your first Reel with the song, pitch playlists, go live. |
| Weeks 2β8 after | Recap your wins, release the video, run ads, pitch licensing and libraries, book shows, set up evergreen emails. |
The deadlines that don't move
Most of your timeline is flexible. These four dates are not, and they're the ones that sink releases when they're missed.
Your music release checklist, phase by phase
These are the 91 steps in The Releasify Checklist. The planner above puts a date on each one.
Planning 8 steps
Get clear on the goal, the money and the calendar before you touch a microphone.
- Refresh your mindset
- Set your goal
- Gather skills
- Create your budget
- Fund your release
- Choose your platforms
- Create your timeline
- Book your sessions
Creation 17 steps
Make the record, and everything that will travel with it.
- Write your songs
- Know your rights
- Document the process
- Clue in your fans
- Nail your look
- Mix the record
- Master the record
- Warm up your fans
- Create cover art
- Make your liner notes
- Make your metadata
- Plan your videos
- Batch create your videos
- Edit your videos
- Make your merch
- Create your brand art
- Get content-ready
Preparing: distribution 11 steps
Get the music delivered, registered and protected so every royalty finds you.
- Organize everything
- Upload your album
- Prep for pre-saves
- Register with your PRO
- Protect your project
- Set up with SoundExchange
- Register with the MLC
- Create your Spotify Canvas
- Pitch to editors
- Upload your lyrics
- Register with AllMusic
Preparing: release 22 steps
Build the buzz, line up your people and get every link ready.
- Create private links
- Get physical
- Announce your pre-save
- Audit your fan list
- Audit your website
- Audit your socials
- Fill your fan list
- Create your pitch list
- Collect contacts
- Create single sub-goals
- Explore exclusive premieres
- Grow your team
- Plan social and email promotion
- Create social graphics
- Pitch licensing companies
- Invest in influencers
- Contact your communities
- Book your release show
- Create a countdown
- Start the fan challenge
- Create fan prizes
- Promote your pre-actions
Pitching & promotion 22 steps
Release week and the weeks right after, when momentum matters most.
- Start release day off right
- Handle emails and ads
- Announce your release
- Start your fan challenge
- Post Reels with your song
- Playlist with SubmitHub
- Execute your plans
- Promote your release page
- Update your link trees
- Engage with influencers
- Claim your music profiles
- Change your links
- Liven up your livestream
- Update your fans
- Show off your stats
- Create a round-up graphic
- Tag your team
- Stream while you sleep
- Fulfill on promises
- Plan a video release
- Audit your presence
- Craft some ads
Monetizing 11 steps
Turn one release into income that keeps coming in.
- Monetize your mindset
- Level up your licenses
- Upload to libraries
- Go evergreen
- Boost your sales page
- Optimize your merch store
- Keep tabs on your revenue
- Sell on Instagram and TikTok
- Lock down live shows
- Get on the big screen
- Brainstorm more profit
Release planning questions
When should I upload my music to my distributor?
At least four weeks before release day. That leaves time for delivery to the stores, for your pre-save links to arrive, and for your Spotify editorial pitch. Earlier is better if you want pre-orders on iTunes or Amazon.
How early do I need to pitch Spotify's editors?
Spotify needs your pitch at least seven days before release, and you can pitch one unreleased song at a time from Spotify for Artists. Releasing a few singles ahead of an album gives you more chances to pitch.
Why release on a Friday?
Since 2015, new music has gone live worldwide on Fridays. It's called Global Release Day, and it's when editorial playlists refresh and fans go looking for new music.
What if my release date is only a few weeks away?
Enter it anyway. The planner will show which steps are already past due so you can catch up on what matters most: upload, pitch, pre-save and your fan list. Or try a later date and see how much breathing room it buys you.
Does this work for a single, an EP or an album?
Yes. The steps are the same; an album simply needs more time in each phase. Pick the Unhurried pace for a full album with videos and physical copies.
Built by a musician who's released a lot of music
Cheryl B. Engelhardt is a two-time GRAMMY-nominated composer and artist, a Governor of the Recording Academy's New York Chapter, and the founder of In The Key of Success. She built The Releasify Checklist so independent artists could release music with a plan instead of a panic.
Free release planner
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