A music release checklist is a dated list of every task from 8 weeks before release day to 4 weeks after. Use the table below, or download it as a CSV and open it in Google Sheets or Excel. The only hard rule in it from Spotify is the pitch deadline: at least 7 days before release.
Most releases go wrong in the same way: the song is finished late, the link is not ready, and the promotion starts on release day, when it is too late to build anything. A dated list fixes that. This one is built for an independent release on a single.
Download
It is a spreadsheet file with four columns: when, task, tool and done. We have not made a PDF or a calendar file. If you use the Release Calendar in Stage, add the dates there by hand.
The checklist
| When | Task | Tool |
|---|
| 8 weeks before | Lock the release date and choose the single | Release Calendar |
| 8 weeks before | Finish the master, gather metadata (title, credits, ISRC, songwriter splits) | Your distributor |
| 7 weeks before | Upload to your distributor; finish the cover art | Your distributor |
| 6 weeks before | Set up the smart link and the pre-save page; turn on email capture | Stage Smart Link |
| 5 weeks before | Update the EPK; build a press list of outlets that cover your genre | EPK builder, Press and Outreach |
| 4 weeks before | Pitch in Spotify for Artists (7 days is the minimum); send the first teaser email | Spotify for Artists, Email Agent |
| 3 weeks before | Film a batch of short videos; pitch premieres and reviews | Your phone, your inbox |
| 2 weeks before | Push the pre-save link; send a second email | Stage Smart Link, Email Agent |
| 1 week before | Check every streaming link and the cover on each service | Stage Smart Link |
| Release day | Check the pre-save page flipped to live buttons; send the release email; reply to everyone | Stage Smart Link, Email Agent |
| 1 week after | Thank everyone who pre-saved; read your clicks by source and city | Email Agent, analytics |
| 2 weeks after | Pitch independent playlist curators that fit the track | Playlist Fit |
| 4 weeks after | Review the numbers and write down what to repeat | Release Calendar |
8 to 6 weeks out: finish and set up
Decide the date, finish the master and collect the metadata your distributor asks for. Upload early, because a distributor can take days to deliver and a release that is not on the stores a week ahead cannot be pitched. Spotify's own page says to deliver your music at least 7 days before release so editors have time to listen. Then set up the smart link and pre-save page, and turn on email capture so every fan who shows up leaves an address.
5 to 3 weeks out: press, content and the first email
Update your EPK and write a one-sheet. Build a short press list of outlets that cover your genre and still publish. OnesToWatch's pitching guide recommends pitching premieres four to six weeks out and reviews two to four weeks out. Check each outlet's last post date first; when Stage read the feeds of 5,077 music blogs in September 2026, only 33.8% had posted in the previous 90 days (the data). Film your short-form videos in one batch and send your list the first teaser.
2 weeks to release day
Put the pre-save link everywhere: bio, stories, email signature, a QR code on merch or flyers. Send a second email to your list. Ask a few collaborators to share. In the last week, open every streaming link and make sure the cover and title look right on each service.
Release week and after
On release day the pre-save link flips to live buttons by itself; check it, send the release email and answer comments. A week later, thank the people who pre-saved and look at where your clicks came from. After that, pitch independent curators who fit the track; Playlist Fit tells you which playlists suit it. For the pitching side read how to pitch music to Spotify playlists.
FAQ
How far ahead should I plan a release?
Eight weeks is a comfortable window for a single. You can run a shorter schedule, but the steps that cannot be rushed are distributor delivery and the Spotify pitch, which needs the track delivered at least 7 days before release.
When should I pitch Spotify editors?
After the release is scheduled with your distributor and at least 7 days before release day, according to Spotify. Our checklist puts it about four weeks out so you have time to adjust.
What do I do on release day?
Check your links, send the email, post, and reply to everyone who responds. Do not make big changes on release day.
How often should I email fans around a release?
The checklist uses three emails before release day plus the release email and a thank-you: a teaser, a pre-save push and the release. Fewer is fine if your list is small.
Use it in Stage
The Release Calendar, smart link, pre-save and fan email capture are all free in Stage, with no time limit. Start at stage.groovegainer.com. The next step is a plan for the whole campaign: see the music marketing plan template and how to promote a single before release.
Corrections: info@groovegainer.com.
