Music release strategy
How do you make sure that your new release hits streaming platforms and stores with maximum impact? How do you reach the right listeners? We’ve got you covered with this guide!
How do you release your own music?
Releasing your own music is easier than it’s ever been. All you need is a music distribution service that will send your music to all major stores and streaming platforms while letting you keep full ownership over your music and giving you 100% of streaming and download royalties.
LANDR Distribution gives you all of the above without hidden fees and with technical support you can actually rely on.
Planning is everything
While self-releasing your music may be a piece of cake on a technical level, actually making your releases successful and growing your audience can be a huge challenge.
If you want to make the most of your work by racking up a solid amount of streams and downloads, you’ll need a powerful release plan.
Tips for releasing your music
Plan ahead
Give yourself at least 3–4 weeks before release day to schedule your release, prepare promo materials, and pitch to playlists or press. A well-timed rollout builds anticipation and gives your audience time to engage before your music finally drops.
Master your track
Make sure that your music is mastered before uploading. A polished sound makes a strong impression and performs better across different streaming platforms and devices, helping you stand out in a crowded musical landscape. The fastest and easiest way to get a pro-quality mastered sound is with LANDR Mastering.
Use eye-catching artwork
Your cover art is the first impression for new listeners. Make it bold, memorable, and representative of the release. It should also be aligned with your overall aesthetic as an artist. High-quality, well-designed visuals will look professional on all major streaming platforms.
Get your metadata right
Accurate metadata (titles, collaborators, genre, etc.) ensures that everyone is credited properly and helps platforms and playlists understand your music. This makes your tracks easier to find and improves its chances of being featured or recommended to new listeners.
Build a launch campaign
Coordinate announcements, teasers, videos, and social posts leading up to release day. Use Instagram, TikTok, email newsletters, and more to create a multi-platform campaign that keeps fans locked in and excited to listen.
Submit to playlists & more
From Spotify editorial playlists to independent user playlists, music new sites, and content creators, there are all kinds of outlets and people you can reach out to for promoting your music. Just be sure that they’re relevant to your genre and that your messages are professional, respectful, and to-the-point.
Make timing a priority
Maintain momentum by releasing music regularly. Whether it’s monthly singles or quarterly EPs, a steady output keeps fans interested and keeps you visible to the algo. Also remember that the day you release matters, as we’ve explained in this article.
Monitor your analytics
Keep an eye on your distributor’s dashboard and platform tools (like Spotify for Artists) to learn where your listeners are, how they found you, and what tracks are performing best. Use this data to shape future releases and promotional strategies.
Engage with your audience
Respond to comments, post behind-the-scenes content, and show appreciation to your listeners. A strong artist-fan connection helps build a meaningful following and turns casual listeners into long-term supporters who’ll follow your journey and share your music.
A step-by-step release plan
1. Decide on your release format
Figure out if you’re putting out a single, an EP, or a full album. Each one has a different impact. Singles are great for steady momentum, EPs show range, and albums make a statement. Choose what fits your goals, time, and energy best.
2. Map out a timeline
Give yourself a few weeks to build up to the release. Sketch out when you’ll announce on social media, post behind-the-scenes clips of you in the studio, and drop preview snippets. This will keep your release plan on track.
3. Make some excellent visuals
Your aesthetic as an artist goes beyond the cover art for your releases. Video loops for Spotify Canvas, extra artwork for posting about the release on socials, and even new promo photos of you can all help solidify the vibe.
4. Start hyping it up
Start teasing the release in small ways. This could be a mysterious post, a line from the lyrics, or a blurry clip of the track. Don’t overthink it. Just give people a reason to get curious and start talking about what’s coming.
5. Set up your pre-saves
If your distributor offers pre-saves, get them set up about 2–4 weeks before release day. It’s a simple way to boost your streaming numbers on day one. Post the link in your bio, stories, group chats, and wherever else your people are.
6. Pitch for Spotify editorial playlists
Use Spotify for Artists to pitch your track at least a week before release. Fill out all the details—genre, mood, instruments, location—to help curators find a fit. It’s free, and even one placement can seriously boost your reach.
7. Make the release feel like an event
Don’t just quietly drop the song when you can go all out and celebrate it. Go live, host a Q&A, throw a listening party, or do something weird and fun. It gives people a reason to show up and makes the moment feel special for you and your listeners.
8. Be present on drop day
Post the link, share reactions, thank people, and ride the wave. Your excitement is contagious. If fans see you showing up for your own music, they’ll be more likely to do the same.
9. Keep the momentum going
After the release, don’t go silent. Share a story behind the song, post an alternate version, or make a short video with fan comments. The more little moments you create around the track, the longer people will stay tuned in.
FAQ: How to release music like a pro
FAQ: How to release music like a pro
When should I start promoting my release?
Ideally, start around 3–4 weeks before your release day. That gives you time to post teasers, gather pre-saves, and reach out to playlists and other promotional outlets. If you’re tight on time, even a week of focused hype can make a big difference. But we highly recommend thinking ahead and giving yourself enough time to steadily and consistently build hype.
Do I really need pre-saves?
They help a lot more than you think! Pre-saves boost your first-day numbers, which tells streaming platforms your track is worth recommending to listeners. Plus, they notify fans automatically when your stuff goes live. LANDR Distribution makes pre-saves easy, because we know how vital they can be for making sure that your music doesn’t get lost in the crowd.
What should I post to promote my music?
This can depend a lot on your style as an artist, as well as the size of your following. You might want to cultivate a sense of mystery and anticipation with a less-is-more approach, or get people excited with a more enthusiastic vibe that puts authenticity first. One thing is always true though — visuals are everything. Post eye-catching images, video clips, press photos, and even selfies to keep yourself on people’s radar.
How do I get on playlists without a team?
You don’t need a team of paid publicists or industry-insiders to get placed on Spotify playlists. You can pitch to editorial playlists via Spotify for Artists and reach out to independent Spotify playlist curators to get considered. It’s crucial, though, to make sure your pitches are relevant and high-quality. When submitting for editorial playlists, only submit your strongest track and fill out all the info accurately. When reaching out to independent curators, make sure their playlist actually matches up with your genre and style!
What if my release doesn’t “blow up”?
Most artists don’t gain their following with overnight viral success. The best way to grow your audience is gradually, otherwise you’re more likely to get listeners who end up moving on to the next best thing before long. Put out your best music, make an effort to develop a strong style as an artist, and aim for audience quality first, audience quantity second. This is how you gain an audience that will stick with you in the long run!
