A strong music release needs about four to six weeks of planning — not a same-day upload. That window is what lets you pitch playlists (which must happen before release), build pre-saves, and line up your Reels so the song launches with momentum instead of silence. Here's a simple week-by-week timeline Indian artists can follow for every release.
Week 4–6 before: finish and upload
- Master your track and finalise cover art (3000×3000px).
- Upload to your distributor and schedule the release date — a Friday works well.
- Set royalty splits with any collaborators.
Week 3–4 before: pitch and set up
- Pitch the song to Spotify editorial through Spotify for Artists — this only works before release.
- Create your pre-save link.
- Plan your Reels — film 3–5 clips.
Week 1–2 before: build hype
- Start posting teaser Reels with the hook and the pre-save link.
- Tell your email list and WhatsApp fans the date.
- Ask people to pre-save and follow you on Spotify (feeds Release Radar).
Release day
- Post your main Reel: "out now, link in bio."
- Share the live stream link everywhere; switch your bio link from pre-save to stream.
- Submit the URL to Google Search Console if you're also publishing a post about it.
After release
- Keep posting different Reels of the same song for 2–4 weeks.
- Thank early listeners and engage comments — momentum compounds.
- Check your stats and start planning the next release; consistency is what grows an artist.
New to the basics? Start with music distribution in India and the Spotify release guide.