The Ultimate Checklist for Releasing Your Own Music

By | 2024-08-01T17:39:21+00:00 August 1st, 2024|music business, music career, music promotion, musician career, spotify|1 Comment

Are you ready to release a song and get it distributed worldwide? If so, here are some tips for you do to just that.

 

  1. Choose the right distributor

When you release your music through platforms like Ditto Music, CDBaby, TuneCore, or DistroKid, your track will be distributed to major streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and more. Additionally, your music will be available on a variety of online platforms and stores, such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

You’ll retain 100% of your streaming royalties and gain access to promotional tools such as pre-save links, chart registration and more.

 

  1. Plan ahead

Releasing a single requires less pre-planning than an album, but it’s still crucial to allocate adequate time for preparation.

Choosing your release date is a key early step. This date will serve as the foundation for your entire release schedule, helping you set deadlines for various tasks leading up to and following the launch.

For the marketing and release strategy, aim to start planning about 1 to 2 months in advance. Outline the different stages of your release and draft a promotional plan. Create a timeline and stick to it, noting how you’ll introduce your single, generate excitement, maximize earnings, and maintain momentum (more tips on this below!).

 

  1. Establish a hook & craft your promo plan around it

Your promotion plan is crucial to the success of your single release. By investing time in creating effective promotional assets and strategies, you’ll strengthen your connection with fans and maximize your earnings from the release.

To make your single stand out, it should have a distinctive hook—whether it’s a unique musical element, a compelling concept, a striking visual, or something else entirely.

Once you’ve identified this hook, center your promotional efforts around it. Emphasize and reinforce the hook in all your materials, including visual assets, music videos, press releases, track descriptions, teasers, and more.

Also, check out this related article: How to Release an Album Online Today as an Independent Musician: https://inacoustic.com/how-to-release-an-album-online-today-independent-musician/

 

  1. Design assets & artwork, incl. clean versions etc

Streaming has transformed both how we discover new music and how we view new artists. As a result, digital artwork and imagery now play a significant role in shaping listeners’ impressions.

Prepare your artwork, album imagery, cover banners, and any other necessary assets well in advance. This way, you’ll have everything ready to go and can concentrate on promoting your single once it’s released.

 

  1. Create a Pre-Save campaign

Launching a pre-save campaign lets fans save your track before its official release. Accumulating pre-saves on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal can significantly boost your track or album, increasing its chances of going viral on release day.

For instance, gaining pre-saves on Spotify ensures that your track will appear in all your fans’ libraries from day one, helping you generate a high stream count and build early momentum.

 

  1. Make a music video

Creating a music video adds an extra layer to your campaign and track, fostering a deeper connection between your work and your fans.

 

  1. Submit for playlists

Getting your music added to playlists is one of the most effective ways to reach new listeners and expand your audience. Nowadays, people seldom listen to single tracks in isolation; playlists have become the standard for discovering and enjoying music.

Many major music platforms now offer artist services that simplify the process of submitting your tracks for playlist consideration. For example, Spotify for Artists allows you to pitch your song for playlists before its release. Although competition is fierce, securing a spot on a prominent Spotify playlist can significantly boost your track’s visibility and impact.

Read this related article: How to Get Playlisted on Spotify: https://inacoustic.com/how-to-get-playlisted-on-spotify/

 

  1. Utilize social media

Leverage social media to maximize your track’s reach, whether by sharing a 15-second snippet on TikTok or Instagram Reels, collaborating with influencers, or tapping into trending dance challenges.

Short-form content has surged in popularity recently, with platforms now offering features designed specifically for this type of content.

 

  1. Write & send out a music press release

While it may seem old-fashioned, writing a music press release remains one of the most effective methods for securing online media and editorial coverage for a new track.

 

  1. Update your EPK

If you have a music EPK (Electronic Press Kit), make sure to update it with all relevant information about your new single.

Revise your artist bio to include details about the single or your latest artistic direction, add any new photos or artwork, and provide up-to-date streaming and download links for the track. Ensure your press kit on your website reflects these updates.

This makes it easier for various journalists and bloggers to write about your single/song when they come across it.

 

  1. Stay consistent & keep the momentum going!

In the period right after your single’s release, before interest starts to wane, is the prime time to launch another single (as part of the Waterfall Strategy we discussed earlier!).

We strongly suggest releasing a second single while the buzz around your current one is still strong. Leverage the success and momentum of your first release to boost the impact of the next.

Pursue additional press coverage, book performances at popular venues, and look for sponsorship opportunities. Stay proactive and use this post-release window to your advantage.

 

Enter the 21st Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards), see: https://inacoustic.com/enter-here/

 

 

 

One Comment

  1. Vernon Honey August 6, 2024 at 8:16 pm

    As a beginner I will have to look into this program. Sometimes things seem to good to be true.There a lot of things on this
    page I don’t know about and will have to look into them. I have been less than happy with some music organizations.
    I have a website but can’t seem to get answers on how to use it.

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