1. Define What the Release Is

First, decide what role this song or album will play.
Is it a standalone single, part of a future album, or an EP?
Make sure it fits into your broader artistic or label strategy.

2. Determine Its Potential

Take an honest look at the material.
Is it strong enough to stand alone?
Evaluate its potential for playlist placements, sync opportunities, and overall marketing success.
This step helps you decide how much time and money to invest in the release campaign.

3. Pick a Release Date

Choose a date that gives you enough time for recording, mixing, mastering, uploading, and promotion.
Think about seasonal timing and when your audience is most active and engaged.

4. Create a Workback Schedule

Work backward from your release date to set key deadlines.
Include dates for:

• Social content creation

• Press outreach

• Gathering promo materials

• Uploading to your distributor

• Mastering and final mixing

Staying organized now will make the whole process smoother later.

5. Develop Artwork and Branding

Strong visuals matter.
Create eye-catching artwork that captures the spirit of your release.
Also design supporting visuals — web banners, profile pictures, headers — to keep your branding consistent across all platforms.

6. Build a Social Media Content Plan

Start capturing behind-the-scenes content early — like recording sessions, mixing footage, or artwork reveals.
Plan posts, stories, teaser videos, and announcements ahead of time to keep your audience engaged and excited.

7. Create a Promotional Plan

List your key promo targets:

• Blogs

• Playlist curators

• Press contacts

• Radio stations

Prepare your mailing list announcements, pitch emails, and consider paid promotions like Groover campaigns or Facebook/Instagram ads.

8. Plan One Unique Thing

Brainstorm something special to make this release stand out:

• Limited edition merch

• An exclusive live show

• Vinyl pressings

• A creative bundle or giveaway

Adding a unique element can help generate buzz and increase sales.

9. Update Your Web Presence

Before launch day, refresh everything:

• Update bios

• Upload new press photos

• Add release dates and smart links

• Change website banners and social media headers

• Remove outdated information

Your online presence should reflect and support the new release.

10. Execute the Campaign

Stick to your content and promotional schedule.
Leading up to and after the release date, stay active and consistent across all channels — email, social media, Spotify, YouTube, and more.
Monitor what’s working, adjust as needed, and most importantly, celebrate your hard work!