DemoPool / Free tools / Release planner
Music release timeline planner
Enter your release date and get a week-by-week music release plan, from 8 weeks before to 4 weeks after: what to prepare, when to upload, when to pitch and who to write to. Add it to your calendar in one click.
- Prep
- Distributor and Spotify
- Playlists
- Labels
- Radio
- Press
- DJs
- Gigs
- Fans and socials
- Pick a release date to see your plan.
The plan has dates. Now you need the contacts.
Every outreach step above links to a list. Or get all 247,282 contacts in one file.
How to plan a music release
A release is a deadline, not a date you press a button. The tracks that do well are the ones whose artists worked backwards from release day: finished audio early, delivered to the distributor in time, pitched to Spotify and to people before anyone could hear it, and kept talking about it after it came out. This planner turns that into dates for your release.
Your music release checklist, week by week
8 to 6 weeks before. Finish the master and artwork, write the credits and sign a split sheet. If you want a label, the demo goes out now, because labels plan their schedule months ahead. For an album, you want a lead single already out.
6 to 4 weeks before. Upload to your distributor with a future release date. CD Baby recommends at least 3 weeks, with 4 to 6 weeks as ideal. DistroKid suggests about 4 weeks if you want the release live everywhere on the same day. TuneCore asks for 4 weeks if you use its pitch forms, and wants the release approved and in stores 2 weeks ahead for playlist consideration. Bigger releases get more time in the planner.
4 to 2 weeks before. Once the release shows under Upcoming in Spotify for Artists, pitch one song to the editors. Spotify asks for at least 7 days before release, and a pitch in time also puts the song on your followers' Release Radar. This is also the window for independent playlist curators, radio shows, DJ promos and blog premieres. They plan ahead too.
Release week. Send live links to everyone who said yes, update your bios, and post. A blog premiere a day or two before release gives you something to share before the song is on every platform.
1 to 4 weeks after. Check Spotify for Artists for saves, playlist adds and sources. Send results to blogs and bookers who did not reply the first time. Results are a better pitch than promises. Then plan the next one.
Why most release plans fail
Late delivery. If the release reaches Spotify less than a week before release day, you lose the editorial pitch and the Release Radar slot, and that cannot be fixed after the fact. Uploading late also leaves no room for a rejected cover or a metadata fix.
Pitching after release. Curators, radio and blogs are busiest with music that is not out yet. Pitch 2 to 4 weeks ahead and follow up once.
No list. Most artists spend their pitch window searching for emails instead of sending them. Each outreach step in the planner links to the matching DemoPool list, so the weeks go into writing to real people.
Using the plan
"Add to calendar" downloads an .ics file that Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and Outlook all import, with every step as an all-day event. "Copy as checklist" gives you plain text for Notion, Trello or a note. Change the date or goals and the plan updates instantly.
Sources (checked Oct 9, 2026): Spotify for Artists, Pitching music to playlist editors; CD Baby, When should I set my release date (updated Sep 28, 2026); DistroKid, How to release music on DistroKid (updated Oct 1, 2026); TuneCore, Artist pitch forms and How long does it take to go live; TuneCore, Beatport.
Questions
How far in advance should I upload my music to a distributor?
At least 3 to 4 weeks before release, and more for an EP or album. CD Baby recommends 4 to 6 weeks as ideal, DistroKid suggests about 4 weeks, and TuneCore asks for 4 weeks if you want to use its pitch forms.
When do I pitch to Spotify editorial playlists?
In Spotify for Artists, as soon as the release appears under Upcoming, and no later than 7 days before release day. A pitch in time also adds the song to your followers' Release Radar. You can pitch one song at a time.
What should a music release plan include?
Finished master and artwork, credits and splits, distributor upload, the Spotify pitch, outreach to playlist curators, radio, blogs or DJs depending on your goals, a pre-save and content plan, release day tasks and a review a few weeks after.
How long before release should I contact playlist curators and blogs?
Two to four weeks before release with a private link, then one follow-up a week later. Blog premieres need the most lead time, so start those first.
Does the plan change for an EP or album?
Yes. The planner moves the distributor upload earlier for an EP and an album, adds a focus track step, and for albums reminds you to release a lead single first.
Can I add the plan to Google Calendar?
Yes. Click "Add to calendar" to download an .ics file, then import it in Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook. Each step becomes an all-day event on its date.