A focused release plan for a standalone single. Use this document to plan and execute each single release campaign, from 4 weeks before to 4 weeks after.
Single Details
Artist Name: Song Title: Release Date: Genre: Language: Duration:
ISRC
Bpm
Explicit Content: YES / NO Distribution Platform: Marketing Budget: ₹
4 Weeks Before Release
Production Finalisation
- Final master audio received (WAV, 24-bit / 44.1kHz)
- Radio edit prepared (under 3:30, clean)
- Instrumental version prepared
- Cover artwork finalised (3000×3000px, JPEG/PNG)
- ISRC code confirmed via distributor
- Co-writer split sheet signed (if applicable)
- IPRS work registration filed
- PPL India recording registered
Distribution
- Uploaded to distributor (DistroKid / TuneCore / Believe / OKListen)
- All metadata entered correctly (title, artist name, composer, lyricist, producer)
- Release date confirmed in distributor dashboard
- Pre-save link generated
Editorial Pitch
- Spotify editorial pitch submitted (7+ days minimum before release — do this NOW for 4-weeks-out timing)
- Apple Music for Artists editorial pitch submitted
- JioSaavn editorial pitch (via distributor or direct contact)
3 Weeks Before Release
Press
- Press release written and finalised
- Press materials ready: bio, artwork, stream link (private until embargo date)
- Press list compiled (target 5–10 outlets based on genre fit):
- Wild City
- Homegrown
- Rolling Stone India
- The Hindu
- Scroll.in
- City-specific press (Bengaluru Mirror, Mumbai Mirror, etc.)
- Relevant podcasts and YouTube music channels
- Press outreach sent to all targets with embargo date set
Social Media
- Content calendar for 4-week campaign created
- Teaser clips / snippets created (15-sec, 30-sec, 60-sec)
- Instagram Reel snippet scheduled (1 per week minimum)
- Announcement post prepared (release date reveal)
2 Weeks Before Release
- Announcement post published: release date revealed across all platforms
- Pre-save campaign promoted heavily on social media
- Email/WhatsApp list: pre-release announcement sent
- Music video (if any): teaser trailer posted on YouTube / Instagram
- Behind-the-scenes content released (studio photos, making-of)
- Playlist curator pitching campaign started:
- SubmitHub submissions sent
- Groover credits used for key curators
- Direct DMs to 5–10 specific curators on Spotify / Instagram
- Radio plugger briefed (if using one) or direct radio station outreach sent
- Guest blog / feature article published (if media partnership arranged)
- Podcast interview recorded or scheduled
Release Day
- Check single is live on all platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, JioSaavn, Gaana, Wynk, YouTube Music, Amazon Music
- Instagram main post live (artwork + caption + Spotify link in bio)
- Instagram Reel live (best snippet)
- Instagram Stories: share, polls ("have you listened?"), countdown complete
- YouTube: music video live (if applicable) or visualiser posted
- Facebook event or post live
- Twitter/X post live
- Email/WhatsApp to mailing list sent
- Spotify for Artists pre-save link converts — check new followers and streams
- Respond to every comment and share in the first 6 hours
First Week Post-release
- Monitor Spotify for Artists daily: streams, saves, listener geography
- Share any press coverage as it goes live
- Post fan reposts and reaction content
- New content: acoustic version snippet, lyric video, live performance clip
- Follow up with press who haven't published yet (once, politely)
- Check if algorithmic playlists have picked up the track (Discover Weekly, Release Radar)
- Share milestone posts: "1,000 streams in 24 hours" (adapt to reality)
Weeks 2–4 Post-release
- Continue posting related content (2–3 times per week)
- Live performance of the single released (if not yet)
- Playlist curator follow-up (politely check on pitches sent)
- Instagram paid boost of best-performing organic post (₹1,000–5,000 test budget)
- YouTube ad campaign for music video (₹2,000–10,000 if applicable)
- Radio airplay check-in (if radio campaign is active)
- Consider: acoustic version, remix, or cover response to extend song's life
RESULTS REVIEW (complete 30 days post-release)
Metric | Target | Actual ───────|────────|─────── Spotify Streams (Day 1) | | Spotify Streams (Week 1) | | Spotify Streams (Month 1) | | JioSaavn Plays (Month 1) | | YouTube Views (Month 1) | | Playlist Adds | | Press Coverage Pieces | | Radio Stations Playing | | Instagram Posts Reach | | Pre-saves Converted | | Marketing Spend | ₹ | ₹
What Worked
What to Do Differently Next Time
Document prepared by: Date:
Free to use · Part of the Indie Music India toolkit · Updated September 2026