The short version
- Release on a Friday, about four weeks after you upload. New music comes out worldwide on Fridays, and four weeks gives every store time to deliver and you time to pitch.
- Pitch to Spotify’s editors at least 7 days before release (three weeks is better). It also gets the song onto your followers’ Release Radar.
- This planner works backwards from your date: master, artwork, metadata, upload, pitch, pre-save, promo, release day and the week after, each with a real date.
- Tick tasks off as you go. Your plan is saved in your browser, and you can add every task to Google, Apple or Outlook calendar in one click.
- Overdue tasks are flagged “Do today”, so even a last-minute release gets a sensible order of work.
A music release timeline, week by week
Here’s the default plan for a single released four weeks after upload. EPs and albums start the production tasks one to two weeks earlier.
| When | Task | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks before | Finish the master | Everything else depends on the final audio |
| 5 weeks before | Cover art (3000×3000) and metadata | Stores reject blurry art and typos are hard to fix later |
| 4 weeks before | Upload to your distributor | Time for delivery to every store, and to appear in Spotify for Artists |
| 3 weeks before | Pitch to Spotify, share the pre-save link | Editors need time; pre-saves build up |
| 2 weeks before | Promo graphics, short video, Canvas | Content ready before you need it |
| 10 days before | Announce the date | Long enough to remember, short enough to stay excited |
| 7 days before | Spotify pitch deadline | Pitches need at least 7 days |
| Release day | “Out now” everywhere, update bio link | The first days’ listens and saves matter most |
| 1 week after | Check stats, reshare, plan the next one | Consistency beats one big launch |
Why release on a Friday?
The music industry agreed a global release day in 2015, so most new music lands on Friday. Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists update then, and Release Radar playlists refresh for listeners on Fridays too. Releasing on a Tuesday isn’t a crime, but you’d be giving up the day everyone is looking for new music. If your date isn’t a Friday, the planner offers to move it.
How the Spotify pitch actually works
- Upload early. The release has to be delivered to Spotify before it shows up in Spotify for Artists as “upcoming”.
- Open the upcoming release in Spotify for Artists and choose the song to pitch. You can pitch one unreleased song at a time.
- Fill in everything: genre, mood, style, instruments, and a short honest description (where it’s from, what it’s about, any press or plans). Specific beats vague.
- Do it at least 7 days before release. Earlier gives editors more time. Even if no editorial playlist picks it, pitching in time puts it on your followers’ Release Radar.
Picking a distributor
You can’t upload to Spotify or Apple Music yourself; a distributor delivers the release and collects your royalties. Annual-fee distributors with 0% commission suit people who release often, and per-release or commission-based ones can suit a one-off single. I compare the models in DistroKid for Suno artists and walk through a full upload in releasing on Spotify with DistroKid. If you decide on DistroKid, this link includes its referral discount on your first year (affiliate link: I may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you). DistroKid also includes pre-save pages (HyperFollow) and promo images for members.
The free tools for each step
- Master: LUFS meter for loudness, music editor to trim and fade.
- Promo: promo card maker for Out Friday, pre-save and countdown posts.
- Money: streaming royalty calculator to keep expectations honest.
- The song itself: the Prompt Studio if you make AI music, or the chord generator and sequencer if you write it yourself.
Where your plan is saved
In your own browser’s local storage: release name, date, options and ticks. Nothing is uploaded. The calendar file is created on your device and includes a reminder on each task’s morning.
Release Planner FAQ
How far in advance should I upload a song for release?
About four weeks before release day for a single, and five to six weeks for an EP or album. That gives every store time to deliver the release and gives you time to pitch it to Spotify’s editors at least 7 days ahead.
What day should I release music?
Friday. New music is released worldwide on Fridays, Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists update then, and Release Radar refreshes for listeners at the end of the week.
How many days before release should I pitch to Spotify?
At least 7 days, and ideally two to three weeks. Pitch the upcoming release in Spotify for Artists. Pitching in time also gets the song onto your followers’ Release Radar, even if no editorial playlist picks it.
What should I do on release day?
Update the link in your bio, post Out now on every platform and in Stories, send it to your email list or group chats, reply to comments, and reshare anyone who posts about it.
Can I add my release plan to Google Calendar?
Yes. Press Add to my calendar to download an .ics file with every task as an all-day event and a morning reminder. Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and Outlook can all import it.
What if my release is less than a week away?
You can still release, but it is too late to pitch that song to Spotify editors. The planner flags overdue tasks as Do today in a sensible order: upload first, then artwork and promo. Pitch your next release earlier.
Do I need a distributor to release on Spotify?
Yes. Independent artists release on Spotify, Apple Music and other stores through a distributor, which delivers the music and collects royalties. Choose one before your upload date.
Make the promo posts for your plan
The free promo card maker turns your cover art into Out Friday, pre-save and countdown posts in every size.
Open the promo card maker →