8 weeks out
The music & the plan
- ✓Final master signed off, loudness-checked, in WAV. No more tweaks after this.
- ✓Clean and instrumental versions rendered (you will want them for sync, reels and radio).
- ✓Splits agreed in writing with every collaborator, before a rupee moves.
- ✓Pick the release date. Avoid clashing with a major drop in your genre.
6 weeks out
Assets & metadata
- ✓Cover art at 3000×3000, no logos or URLs baked in (DSPs reject those).
- ✓Metadata locked: exact artist name (matching your profiles), title, genre, language.
- ✓ISRC per track and UPC per release (your distributor issues both free).
- ✓Spotify Canvas (a 9:16 loop) and 3 press shots ready.
4 weeks out
Deliver & pitch
- ✓Upload to your distributor now. This is the hard deadline for editorial consideration.
- ✓Pitch the track in Spotify for Artists (needs 7+ days, do it as soon as it is delivered).
- ✓Shortlist 15–20 curators who actually cover your genre and send personalised pitches.
- ✓Set up the pre-save / smartlink.
Release week
Roll it out
- ✓Post the reel countdown; DM your list so superfans hear it first.
- ✓Release day: every channel, same day. Then thank the people who showed up.
- ✓Update your Spotify artist pick and bio to the new release.
After
Follow through
- ✓Film a live take or acoustic version for the week after (the song is not done working).
- ✓Track saves, playlist adds and where listeners came from. Learn for the next one.
Free to use · Part of the Indie Music India toolkit · Updated September 2026