<aside> ⚠️ How to use this guide

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Releasing your music can be overwhelming, particularly if this is your first release. I want to make it easier. I think it's helpful to be able to see the big picture, but still have things be prioritized from start to finish and be broken into smaller tasks. So, I’ve separated this guide into 3 “stages.” Stage 1 starts with all the critical, unavoidable steps to getting your music released. Stage 2 dives into the marketing that will set you apart from others, and stage 3 is a quick overview of the more advanced promotional work that exists when you're ready for it.

I think it’s important for guides like this one to be as succinct as possible. For that reason, the bulk of this guide is going to focus on “Stage 1 - The Essentials.” I still cover stages 2 and 3, but more briefly. In those stages I will link to our additional guides and external resources for further learning.

For most artists, I recommend using CDBaby as your distributor. Feel free to use any distributor of your liking, but this guide will be referencing the free tools and resources that CDBaby offers. If you already have a distributor you like, this guide will still be relevant and useful as most distributors offer similar upload processes, tools, and resources. Parallels should be easy to find.

OVERVIEW:

STAGE 1 - The Essentials

<aside> ✅ This is what I consider the minimum requirements, the “must-do’s.” You can be certain that your song will be out everywhere and properly registered to collect any and all royalties you generate. You’ll have access to your artist profiles so you can upload photos, bios, and canvases. You’ll have a convenient smart link for your “link in bio,” and you will have at least one promotional campaign to generate some interest leading up to your release day.

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Quick Summary of Stage 1

  1. Distribution and registrations: Getting your music, artwork, lyrics, and proper credits delivered to all the major platforms and registered correctly for all royalties.
  2. Online Profiles: Claiming and setting up your official artist accounts for Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
  3. Setting up or claiming social media profiles
  4. Pitching your music for Spotify editorial playlists and uploading a canvas
  5. Run a Spotify pre-save campaign
  6. Create a smart link
  7. Release at least 3 promotional videos around the release

STAGE 2 - Foundations of Marketing and Promotion

<aside> 💡 These are the things you need to do if you want anyone besides your close friends and family to notice you. Often times I see this type of work just thrown into a release guide like it’s an easy box to check - this is not the case. These things require thought, planning, time, and continual revisions.

Start by brainstorming each area and then dive deeper and develop more of it as you’re ready. Maybe you’ll want to hire help for some of these. This is a marathon, not a sprint and it’s common for your ideas to evolve over time. Remember, the plan is to release a lot of music beyond whatever you’re putting out now, so you don’t have to have it all perfect right away. But don’t overlook these things, they can make or break your career.

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Quick Summary of Stage 2