The ultimate guide to planning, uploading, and executing a successful music release. Learn the exact timeline required for editorial playlist pitching, waterfall releases, and global DSP delivery.
Rushing a release overnight severely undermines your streaming visibility. Following a disciplined four-week schedule unlocks editorial pitching and pre-save momentum.
Upload your lossless master WAV and 3000x3000px artwork. Complete all metadata fields, assign free ISRC and UPC codes, and set your official worldwide release date for four Fridays from now.
Once ingested into Spotify, log into your verified Spotify for Artists portal. Submit your unreleased track to official playlist editors with details about genre, instruments, mood, and promotional plans.
Generate your pre-save link. Begin teasing 15-second audio hooks across Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok to drive pre-save conversions and algorithmic interest.
Your song goes live across Spotify, Apple Music, JioSaavn, and 330+ storefronts. Your track lands automatically in your followers' Spotify Release Radar playlists.
Rather than releasing an entire album at once where only 1 or 2 tracks get editorial attention, the waterfall strategy involves releasing singles sequentially every 4 to 6 weeks.
Release your lead single as a standalone 1-track release. Pitch to Spotify editorial curators.
Release Single 2 bundled with Single 1 (reusing Single 1's ISRC). Streams from both tracks now compound together.
Deliver the complete project. All previously released singles carry over their cumulative streams and playlist placements.
Set your release date, assign free ISRC and UPC codes, and reach listeners worldwide.