A week-by-week countdown timeline for a full album release campaign in India. Adjust for EP or single releases by scaling the timeline proportionally.
Artist / Band Name
Album Title: Release Date (Target): Number of Tracks: Distribution Platform: PR Contact: Campaign Manager:
12 Weeks Before Release
- Album budget finalised and approved (see Album Budget Template)
- All tracks recorded, mixed, and mastered — master files received
- ISRC codes confirmed for all tracks
- UPC code confirmed for album
- Co-writer split sheets signed for all tracks
- IPRS registrations filed for all compositions
- PPL India registrations filed for all recordings
- Cover artwork finalised and delivered
- Decide release strategy: all at once / staggered singles leading to album
- Determine lead single(s) for pre-release campaign
- Artist bio updated and approved
10 Weeks Before Release
- Upload to distributor (DistroKid / TuneCore / Believe / OKListen)
- Metadata entered and verified
- Release date set in distributor platform
- Pre-save link generated (Spotify, Apple Music)
- Pre-order activated (if physical product included)
- PR agency / publicist briefed and activated
- Press release first draft written
- Media list compiled: Wild City, Homegrown, Rolling Stone India, The Hindu, Scroll.in, city-specific press, relevant blogs and podcasts
- Music video for lead single in final editing (if applicable)
- Lyric video / visualiser in production (if applicable)
8 Weeks Before Release
- Lead single released (if staggered campaign)
- Spotify editorial pitch submitted for lead single (minimum 7 days before — do this now for 8 weeks if submitting early for a single releasing in 7 days)
- Apple Music for Artists pitch submitted
- JioSaavn editorial pitch (via distributor or direct contact)
- Press release finalised
- Long-lead press outreach begins (magazines, long-format features)
- Album announcement post live on social media
- Pre-save campaign launched
- Email/WhatsApp list announcement: album coming
- Announce release date on all social platforms
6 Weeks Before Release
- Short-lead press outreach (news outlets, online music blogs, influencers)
- Social media content calendar live (6 weeks of daily/near-daily posts planned)
- Behind-the-scenes content released (studio photos, making-of videos)
- Music video for lead single released (if applicable)
- Interview bookings confirmed: podcast appearances, video interviews, editorial
- Radio plugger engaged (Radio Mirchi, Big FM, Red FM, Radio City, Fever FM, AIR)
- Physical product manufacturing confirmed (if applicable)
- Release show / launch event booked (venue, date, ticket platform: Insider.in / BookMyShow / Paytm Insider)
- Second single announced (if staggered)
4 Weeks Before Release
- Second single released (if staggered campaign)
- Spotify editorial pitch for album submitted (full album pitch — not a second single pitch; use the album pitch section in Spotify for Artists)
- Album trailer / visualiser released on YouTube/Instagram
- Interviews going live: 2–3 minimum in this window
- Countdowns on Instagram Stories / YouTube Community tab
- Launch show ticket sales open
- Playlist pitching campaign to independent curators (Spotify / YouTube / JioSaavn)
- Retargeting ad campaign set up (Facebook / Instagram ads targeting past listeners)
- Physical copies (if any) shipped from manufacturer to artist
2 Weeks Before Release
- All pre-release press embargoes set (confirm with each outlet)
- Press album stream links sent to confirmed reviewers
- Third single / b-side / acoustic version released (if applicable)
- Full track listing revealed on social media
- Radio airplay beginning (check with plugger)
- Email/WhatsApp campaign: 2 weeks to release reminder
- Launch show promotion at peak intensity
- Physical copies received and ready for dispatch
- Pre-orders / pre-saves at maximum promotional push
Release Week
Monday: "3 days to go" content Tuesday: Final preview content / listening snippets Wednesday (or release day): ALBUM LIVE
- Check all platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, JioSaavn, Gaana, Wynk, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
- All social posts live (Instagram post, Reel, Stories, YouTube community, Facebook, Twitter/X)
- Email/WhatsApp announcement sent
- Press coverage goes live (coordinated with embargo)
- Music video live (YouTube premiere or standard post)
- Artist active on social all day: responding, sharing, thanking
Post-release day:
- Fan UGC (user-generated content) shared and celebrated
- Monitor streaming analytics daily
- Respond to all press coverage
- Continue promotional interviews
Weeks 1–4 Post-release
- Monitor Spotify for Artists and Chartmetric daily
- Share milestone posts (1,000 streams, 10,000 streams, etc.)
- Continue playlist pitching
- Live session / acoustic performance released on YouTube
- Launch show held
- Fan contest or interactive campaign (optional)
- Review tour dates or additional shows in response to demand data
Weeks 4–12 Post-release
- Monthly streaming report reviewed
- IPRS royalty accumulation tracked
- Planning for next cycle begins
- Physical merch bundle campaign (if stock remains)
- Potential remix or collaboration release to extend album's life
- Year-end lists outreach (if releasing in Q4)
Document prepared by: Date:
Free to use · Part of the Indie Music India toolkit · Updated September 2026