Music Release Day Checklist: From Pre-Save to Week One

A release isn't one day. The songs that keep finding listeners usually had a plan for the weeks before and after. Use this checklist for every single, EP or album.

Four or more weeks out

• Deliver the release to your distributor early. Distributors and stores can take days or weeks to process a release, and some playlist pitching needs the release in their system ahead of time. Check your distributor's guidance for exact lead times.
• Final artwork in every size you'll need: the cover, a square post, a vertical story or video version.
• Pick the release date and tell your collaborators.
• Plan your content: what you'll post each week before and after release.

Two to three weeks out

• Set up a pre-save link and put it at the top of your link page.
• Add a countdown to release day. On LiteLinks, countdowns are on the Lite plan, and free accounts can choose them as their one unlocked embed type.
• Announce the release with the artwork and a short clip of the song.
• Brief anyone helping: featured artists, producer, label, friends with an audience. Give them the date, the link and the assets.
• Email your mailing list with the date and the pre-save link.

Release week

• Post a teaser every day or two: a lyric, a behind-the-scenes clip, the story behind the song.
• Prepare the release-day swap on your link page. On LiteLinks Pro, a scheduled link can replace the pre-save with the listening link at midnight on its own.

Release day

• Check the release is live on each platform you distributed to. Some go live later than others.
• Swap your top link from pre-save to listen. Use a smart link so each fan lands on their own app, or embed the track so people can press play on your page.
• Post the announcement everywhere you're active: "Out now, link in bio".
• Email your list with the listening link.
• Ask collaborators to share with the same link.
• Pin the release post to your profiles.
• Thank people who share it. Reposting fans' stories keeps the song in front of their followers.

The first week

• Post new content around the song every day or two: a performance clip, a reaction, a lyric video, a short story about writing it.
• Watch which links get tapped on your page and which platforms fans pick.
• Thank everyone again at the end of the week.

After week one

• Keep the song on your page, just not at the top forever. Move it into a "Latest releases" section when the next thing is ready.
• Add the music video when it comes out. An embedded video gives the release a second wave.
• Write down what worked: which posts got the most saves, which clips drove the most taps.

Set your page up for every release

Some things you only set up once:

• A listening row: your main streaming platforms
• A mailing list signup, so fans hear about the next release first (email collector on LiteLinks Pro)
• Merch and tour links, lower on the page
• A booking and press contact

For more on what goes on a musician's page, see link in bio ideas for musicians and link in bio for musicians.