Release day checklist for independent artists
In short
A week before: make the release link with a date, add it to your bio and start posting. On the day: check the buttons, add any service that is missing and post the link everywhere. After: look at which services and countries your listeners came from, and plan the next one around that.
A week or more before
Make the release link
Add the title, artist, cover and release date. The page counts down and collects emails until then. See promoting a release before it is out.
Put it in your bio
Add it to your link-in-bio as a button with the cover, at the top.
Prepare a bonus
The acapella, stems or a remix pack, as an unlock link behind a follow. Add it under the buttons.
Line up your posts
The cover, a short clip and a reminder, each with the link.
On release day
Check the buttons
Open your release page. The Play buttons appear on the day; add any service that is not there yet by pasting its link.
Post the link everywhere
Bio, stories, posts, video descriptions, Discord and your email list.
Pin it
Pin the post with the link on every platform for the first week.
The week after
- Read the stats. Which button got the most clicks, and from which countries. That tells you where your listeners really are.
- Thank the early fans. The people on your notify list heard it first; a short message keeps them close for the next one.
- Keep the link alive. Leave it in your bio until the next release takes its place.