One question we frequently get asked is, “How do I adequately prepare to release my single?” In this blog post, we hope to help answer that question.
PRE-RELEASE
Art
Obviously, you need to make sure you have your music first, but assuming you have that, the next step is to ensure you have artwork ready. If the single isn’t a standalone, you can use your album art for this step. Otherwise, make sure you create art specifically for the single.
Release Date
Now that you have your artwork and music, the next step is to set a release date. One thing you absolutely do not want to do is release the song on a Friday. Why? Because you’ll be competing with hundreds of album releases. As an independent artist, you want to maximize your chances of being heard, and competing with big-name album releases on a Friday will only hurt those chances.
Tip: Pick a weekday, not a weekend. Also, make sure your release date does not fall during a major U.S. holiday.
Upload and schedule the single through a distributor
Make sure to schedule your single so it’s live on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc., on the release day. Do not post on Bandcamp only. If you only release on Bandcamp, you’ll limit your reach significantly, as Bandcamp has a much smaller user base compared to platforms like Spotify and YouTube.
Upload and schedule the single on Bandcamp
While it’s essential to focus on bigger platforms, you should still have your single available on Bandcamp. Some fans may want to purchase it directly. While Bandcamp has a smaller reach, it allows you to generate income, so it’s worth including.
Create a Linktree for the release and add it to all your social media bios
Go to Linktree and add the following links:
- Pre-save link
- Your YouTube channel
- Your social media profiles
- Your website
- Bandcamp
Get a music video created for the song
If you have the budget, get a video made. If you can’t do a full performance video, consider getting a lyric video made. You can easily find someone to create one by checking lyric videos from bands you like and contacting the creators they use. Another option is a visualizer video. If a video isn’t in the budget, a simple Youtube upload with the single artwork will work!
Get the single pitched via Spotify for Artists
Don’t forget to pitch your single to editorial playlists via Spotify for Artists. This is often overlooked but is crucial for reaching new listeners.
Get teaser clips made of the video
Create 2-3 teaser clips of the video and schedule them to post on social media. In addition to the teaser clips, schedule at least 2-3 posts per week leading up to the release to keep your audience aware that the song is coming out.
Hire a PR
Make sure you have a publicist, or DIY your own PR if you have the connections. You need a way to get a press release sent out on the day of your release. If you need assistance with this, feel free to contact us, and we’d be happy to discuss working together.
RELEASE DAY
Manually release the single on Bandcamp
Remember, you need to manually release the song on Bandcamp on the release day. This is often overlooked!
Post the link to the single on all your social platforms
On Instagram and Facebook, collaborate with each of the band members when posting to increase the post’s reach. Make sure to include a link to your Linktree in the post.
Send a press release
Either send a press release to media contacts yourself, or have it go out today from your publicist.
Send out a newsletter to your email list
If you have an email list, send out a newsletter to inform fans that the single is out and encourage them to stream it on their favorite platform.
POST-RELEASE
Continue engaging with fans. Here are a few ways to do this:
- Send another email newsletter a week later
- Direct message followers to ask them to stream the song
- Respond to comments on social media
Also, share any press coverage you receive, and tag the outlets that published it. Lastly, make sure to pitch your song to relevant user-generated playlists.
There you have it! If you have any further questions, feel free to email Curtis or Cori, and we’ll do our best to help!