The 6-Week Music Release Checklist for Independent Artists

Most release problems are timing problems. The song is finished, but the artwork is late, the distributor delivers too close to release day, the pitch window is missed, and promotion starts after the song is already out. A simple timeline fixes most of that.

This checklist assumes a single, released through a distributor, with Spotify as the main platform. Adjust the weeks if you are releasing an EP or album, but keep the order. You can copy each section into your calendar or task manager.

Week 6: finish and prepare the release

Six weeks out, the goal is to lock everything that the release depends on. Changing a title, a featured artist or a credit after delivery can delay the release or split its data, so resist last-minute edits once you have submitted. If something is not ready this week, it is usually better to move the release date than to rush.

Final master: approved, exported in the format your distributor requires, and listened to on phone speakers, headphones and a car.
Artwork: square, high resolution, legible at thumbnail size, with no URLs, social handles or pricing text that stores might reject.
Metadata: exact title, featured artists, songwriter and producer credits, genre, language, explicit flag and ISRC if you already have one.
Release date: pick a date and check it against other plans such as shows, holidays and releases from close collaborators.
Budget: decide how much time and money you will spend on promotion. Our guide on allocating a music marketing budget can help.

Week 5: distribute and register

Upload the release to your distributor and double-check every field before submitting.
Register the song with your performing rights organization and any other collecting societies you belong to, if you have not already.
Submit lyrics through the channels your distributor or lyric services support, so they can appear on platforms.
Collect every split and credit agreement in writing with collaborators.
Start a simple content list: what you will post each week until release.

Uploading this early matters because your release must be delivered and visible in Spotify for Artists before you can pitch it or set up a Countdown Page.

Week 4: pitch, pre-save and plan content

This is the most important week for Spotify.

Pitch in Spotify for Artists. Once the release appears under Upcoming, pitch your strongest track. You must pitch at least 7 days before release to be considered for your followers' Release Radar, but pitching now gives editors more time. See how to pitch to Spotify editorial playlists.
Set up a Countdown Page and a multi-platform pre-save link.
Plan short videos: the hook, the story behind the song, a performance clip and a behind-the-scenes moment.
Make a Canvas loop for the track.
Build a curator list of legitimate independent playlists and blogs in your genre. Never pay for guaranteed placements.

Week 3: announce

Post the announcement with cover art, title, date and the pre-save link.
Update your bios, link-in-bio page and website.
Email your mailing list with the story behind the song.
Share the first short video built around the hook.
Send a short, personal message to close supporters asking them to pre-save and share.

For more ideas on the pre-release window, read our guide on running a pre-save campaign.

Week 2: build momentum

Post two or three more pieces of content: a teaser, a lyric card, a studio clip or a live snippet.
Send polite, personalized pitches to independent curators, blogs and local radio, using a private streaming link where appropriate.
Schedule release-day posts and write your release-day email.
Upload your Canvas and update your artist pick and profile images in Spotify for Artists.
If you plan paid ads, set up audiences based on fans of similar artists, not broad interests.

Week 1 and release day

Final checks

Confirm the pitch shows as submitted in Spotify for Artists.
Check that the release is scheduled correctly on the main platforms.
Prepare all release-day links as full open.spotify.com URLs, ready to paste.
Post a countdown and a final pre-save reminder.
Plan something live or interactive for release day, such as a stream, a listening party or a Q&A.

Release day

Swap every pre-save link for the live link.
Post on each channel, email your list and message your close supporters.
Ask for specific actions: save the song, add it to a playlist and share it.
Reply to comments and reshare fan posts throughout the day.
Take note of your baseline numbers so you can measure the first week.

Weeks 1 to 4 after release

A release does not end on release day. Many songs find their audience in the following weeks.

Check sources of streams and top locations in Spotify for Artists every few days in the first week, then weekly.
Keep posting: a performance video, a fan reaction compilation, an acoustic version or a lyric breakdown.
Follow up with curators who added the song and thank them.
Pitch your next release if it is ready; keeping a steady schedule helps your followers keep seeing new music.
Write down what worked and what did not for your next plan.

What to look for in the data

Saves relative to listeners: a healthy share of listeners saving the song suggests it connects.
Sources of streams: growth from listeners' own libraries and playlists shows real fans; growth from algorithmic playlists shows Spotify is testing the song more widely.
Top cities: useful for planning shows, ads and future outreach.
New followers: a sign the song is turning listeners into fans who will hear your next release.

If you use a promotion service in this period, such as SpotBoost, keep orders in proportion to your organic engagement, grow gradually and use drip-feed so delivery is spread over time. Promotion does not guarantee editorial or algorithmic placement, and platforms can review or remove plays that look unnatural, so it works best as a small supplement to real fan activity. You can review service options and average delivery times on the Services page.

Key takeaways

Lock the master, artwork and metadata six weeks out.
Deliver to your distributor early so you can pitch and collect pre-saves.
Pitch at least 7 days before release, ideally three to four weeks ahead.
Announce around three weeks out with a clear pre-save call to action.
On release day, ask fans for saves and playlist adds, not just plays.
Keep promoting for at least four weeks after release and review your data.

Save this checklist and reuse it for every release. After two or three cycles it becomes routine, and you can spend more energy on the music itself.