PLAYBOOK · RELEASE PLANNING
The first 30 days before your music release
Use the month before release to connect the song, the audience and the next action—not simply to fill a posting calendar.
Start with one useful destination
A finished recording is the start of a release campaign. Before you plan a month of posts, decide what listeners should do when they become interested. Choose a clear destination, confirm that it works on a phone, and make the next action easy to understand.
This is a practical introduction to the Tease · Launch · Revive approach in The Independent Artist Song Release Playbook by Raymond Finn and Trina Johnson Finn. It is a planning example, not a promise of streams or a substitute for checking your distributor’s current delivery deadlines.
Days 30–22: organize the essentials
Write down the release date, intended audience and one primary campaign objective. Gather the approved artwork, final audio, artist information and short description of the song. Assign an owner to each unfinished item, even if you are the person doing every job.
Test the links you already have. Keep a clear record of anything still pending, such as a platform destination that is not live yet. Do not announce access that listeners cannot actually use. The free 12-page Readiness Guide gives you blank space to capture these checks.
Days 21–8: give listeners a reason to care
Choose a few distinct reasons for introducing the song: the feeling behind it, a moment from making it, or a performance that carries its character. A good teaser helps someone understand why this release might matter to them.
Connect each piece of content to an appropriate next step. A story can invite a reply; a useful preview can invite a visit to the release page. Prepare focused outreach to relevant contacts, using accurate information and a clear reason for the fit. Quality of relevance matters more than the length of the list.
Days 7–1: rehearse the handoff
Check the mobile journey from post to page to listening destination. Prepare launch copy, verify the release details again and decide who will handle questions. Record a baseline so you have something meaningful to compare with the response after release.
Reserve material for Revive before launch day arrives. A later performance, a fresh explanation of the song or a thoughtful follow-up gives the campaign a reason to continue. Start with the free checklist, then use the full Playbook to develop a coordinated plan for your actual team and resources.