Ultimate Single Release Checklist for Independent Artists

ULTIMATE SINGLE RELEASE CHECKLIST FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTS

Phase 1: Preparation

❏ Mix and mastered audio file (Affiliate: Landr Mastering) ❏ Design cover art (.JPEG or .PNG) ❏ Plan promo content (Videos and Photos) ❏ Register song with copyright office ❏ Cover song? Secure mechanical license (Easy Song Licensing) ❏ Decide on song splits ❏ Register song with PRO or publishing admin (SongTrust) ❏ Set a release date (Minimum 2 - 4 weeks away) ❏ Explore merch opportunities

Phase 2: Distribution

❏ Mastered song (16-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV ﬁle) ❏ Cover art ﬁle (3000 x 3000 resolution JPEG or PNG) ❏ Lyrics (Formating: on Apple Music, MusixMatch) ❏ Songwriter credits ❏ ISRC code ❏ Release date ❏ Upload to music distributor ❏ Upload to SoundCloud (Set as Private) ❏ Upload to Bandcamp (Set as Private) ❏ Upload to Audiomack and schedule to release

Phase 3: Promotion Planning

❏ Start a task timeline or calendar ❏ Submit for Spotify editorial playlist consideration ❏ Launch pre-save / pre-order campaign link ❏ Create smart link or pivot/landing page ❏ Prepare single announcement post ❏ Day of release post ❏ Incorporating Patreon ❏ Upload audio message to Pandora AMP ❏ Consider live streaming to promote the single (IG Live, Facebook Live, Twitch, Youtube Live)

Phase 4: Days Before the Release

❏ Have social media posts ready with captions and hashtags ❏ Design your email newsletter ❏ Get smart link / pivot page ready ❏ Schedule music video (YouTube and Facebook) ❏ Create a custom thumbnail for your video ❏ Prep video clips for social media ads

Phase 5: Day of Release Checklist

Promote on social media channels ❏ Facebook ❏ Instagram ❏ Instagram Stories ❏ Twitter ❏ Post on your YouTube Community tab ❏ Post message to your trackers on Bandsintown ❏ Send a direct message to followers on Bandcamp

Upload music video (YouTube, Facebook, IGTV) ❏ Embed the video into your smart link, landing page or Linktree page (for pro users). ❏ Add smart link in the video description. ❏ If you upload to Facebook, pin the video to the top and make it a featured video.

Update YouTube channel ❏ Add your video as a featured video for your channel. ❏ Add to your playlist for music videos. ❏ Add a link card to take viewers to your website or landing page. ❏ Add the art track of your single to your channel as a playlist. This is autogenerated if you opted in to have it created from your music distributor.

Phase 5: Day of Release Checklist

Update your website ❏ Create a page for the single, add a smart link and embed the music video to your home page. ❏ If you have speciﬁc merch for the release, make it available for purchase. ❏ If you created a custom landing page, make sure to embed music video there and add links to the individual streaming platforms. (Example 1, Example 2)

Update social media proﬁles ❏ Add the smart link for your single to all your social media proﬁles. ❏ If you created a banner or avatar graphic for the release, update it at this time.

Make the song public ❏ SoundCloud ❏ Bandcamp ❏ Audiomack

Add lyrics ❏ Apple Music / iTunes (via DistroKid) ❏ Genius (Genius.com) ❏ Instagram Stories (via Musixmatch.com)

Phase 5: Day of Release Checklist

Launch social media ad campaigns ❏ Facebook / Instagram Ads ❏ Spotify Ads ❏ YouTube Ads

Phase 6: Post-Release Checklist

❏ Keep promoting on social media ❏ Resend email to those who didn’t open the ﬁrst one (MailChimp Instructions) ❏ Create your own themed playlist based off your release and share it ❏ Look for playlist opportunities for your song ❏ Seek independent blog coverage (SubmitHub) ❏ Set up automated payment splits for mechanical royalties (DistroKid) ❏ Schedule your next release!