Music Marketing Checklist: 10 Things to Do Before Every Release

Most release mistakes happen in the week before launch when artists scramble to create content at the last minute. This checklist is designed to be completed 7-10 days before your release date so release day itself is execution, not planning.

1. 1. Create your Lynkify smart link

Paste your Spotify or Apple Music URL into Lynkify Release Links. Confirm all streaming platform links import correctly. Add any platforms not auto-detected (Audiomack, Boomplay, JioSaavn based on your fanbase geography). Enable fan email capture with a specific offer. Set your slug (the URL will be lynkify.in/r/your-chosen-slug). Do not publish yet if the release is not live.

2. 2. Submit to Spotify for Artists editorial

Log in to artists.spotify.com and submit your upcoming release for playlist consideration. You must do this between 7 and 28 days before release — after release day, editorial pitching closes. Fill in every field: mood, genre, instrumentation, language, the listener scenario for your track. More complete pitches receive more consideration.

3. 3. Write and schedule your fan list email

Write your release announcement email in your email platform (Mailchimp, Kit, Klaviyo). Keep it under 300 words. Open with the personal reason this release matters to you — not 'I am excited to announce.' Include one specific call to action: your smart link. Schedule it to send at 9am on release day in your primary fan time zone.

4. 4. Update your bio page featured release

Update your Lynkify bio page to feature the new release in the top block. Include the smart link URL pointing to the new release. Update your 'about' bio text if the new release represents a different direction or new chapter. Confirm email capture is still visible without scrolling on mobile.

5. 5. Batch create 10 pieces of social content

Create and schedule 10 posts before release day: announcement graphic, 30-second audio clip, studio/behind-the-scenes clip, lyric reveal (if applicable to your genre), pre-save story, countdown story, listener testimonial or early reaction (if you have shared early listens), a personal story about the track, a remix or acoustic announcement (if relevant), and a post-release 'thank you' draft. Schedule through Buffer or Later.

6. 6. Pitch three playlist curators

Find three independent playlist curators on SubmitHub, Groover, or through direct research on Spotify who feature artists similar to your sound. Send a personal, three-sentence pitch with your smart link. Do this 5-7 days before release so curators have time to listen before your release date.

7. 7. Connect or confirm your tracking pixels

If you have Meta Pixel, TikTok Pixel, or Google Tag set up on your Lynkify workspace, confirm they are active before your release. A smart link that drives traffic to a pixel-tagged page turns your visitors into retargeting audiences for any ads you run during or after the release window.

8. 8. Add UTM parameters to your promotional links

Create tagged versions of your smart link URL for each promotion channel: one for your Instagram bio, one for your email campaign, one for TikTok. After release, your Lynkify Analytics will show you exactly which channel drove the most traffic, which platform those fans chose, and which country they were in.

9. 9. Email one journalist or blogger

Find one music blogger, regional newspaper journalist, or podcast host who covers your genre. Send a short, personalised pitch with your smart link. One press mention provides social proof, referral traffic, and SEO value that outlasts every social post from your release week.

10. 10. Create a post-release follow-up plan

Decide before release day what you will do in the 2 weeks after release: when you will review your analytics, what content you will post in week 2, whether you will do a listening event or Q&A, and when you will send the follow-up email to new subscribers who signed up during the launch. Artists who plan post-release activity before release day maintain promotion momentum far better than those who improvise it.