Free tool

Music release checklist: every step, dated

This music release checklist works back from your release date and gives every step a date, from finishing the master to checking the money arrived. Pick a date, say whether it’s a single, EP or album, and tick things off as you go.

What’s in it

  • Dated steps. For a single, the plan starts six weeks before release day and runs to three months after. EPs and albums start the prep two to four weeks earlier, because there’s more to mix, master and credit.
  • Only the steps you need. Tell it whether someone helped write the song and whether you’ll pitch to playlist editors, and it adds or drops those steps.
  • Links where they help. Steps like “Fill in a split sheet” and “Set up a pre-save link” link to the tool or guide for that job.
  • Ticks that stick. What you tick off is saved in your browser, so it’s there when you come back. No account needed.
  • Add to calendar. One button downloads a calendar file with every step, for Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook. You can print it too.

It’s one of our release planning guides.

Why the order matters

Most of a release is fixed by the step before it. You can’t upload without the master and artwork, and you can’t pitch or share a pre-save link until it’s uploaded.

Uploading late is the most common mistake. Distributors usually need a couple of weeks, and DistroKid recommends at least four if you want to claim your artist profile before a first release. Our guide on how to upload music to Spotify goes through it step by step.

Do the paperwork early too. Agree the splits on the split sheet template before the song is out, while everyone still agrees.

Common questions

How far ahead should I upload my music?

At least four weeks before release day. That covers review delays, gives you time to claim your profiles and leaves room to pitch. The checklist puts the upload four weeks out.

When should I pitch to playlists?

As soon as the release shows up in your Spotify for Artists profile, and well before release day. The checklist schedules it three weeks out. Get your pre-save going at the same time: here’s how to make a pre-save link.

Is the plan different for an album?

The release-week steps are the same. The prep starts earlier: two weeks earlier for an EP, four for an album. If you’re putting out singles ahead of an album, run a checklist for each one.

Which distributor should I use?

That depends on how often you release and what you earn. The music distribution calculator compares what each one would cost you over a few years.

Where this comes from