Free Music Release Checklist Generator

For a single, plan at least 4-6 weeks ahead. For an EP or album, you'll want 8-12 weeks minimum. This gives you time to submit to Spotify editorial playlists (which requires 7 days minimum but works best with 4 weeks), pitch blogs and press, build anticipation on social media, and coordinate with your distributor. Our checklist generator calculates exact deadlines based on your release date.

Submit your track through Spotify for Artists at least 7 days before release — but 3-4 weeks is ideal. This gives Spotify's editorial team time to review and potentially add your song to playlists like New Music Friday. You can only pitch unreleased music, so timing matters. Our tool reminds you exactly when to submit.

Four weeks out is when the real work begins: finalize your master and artwork, upload to your distributor, write your press release, start teasing on social media, and submit to Spotify editorial. You should also reach out to playlist curators and blogs. Our checklist breaks this down into daily and weekly tasks so nothing falls through the cracks.

Build anticipation with a pre-save campaign, behind-the-scenes content, and teaser clips. Send your track to blogs, playlisters, and influencers 2-3 weeks early. Use countdown posts on Instagram and TikTok. Email your fans. The key is creating momentum so release day isn't starting from zero. Groover can help you reach curators who'll actually listen.

Singles need a shorter timeline (4-6 weeks) but require just as much promotion focus on one track. Albums need longer lead time (8-12 weeks), a rollout strategy with multiple singles, and more press coordination. Many artists now release 2-3 singles before an album to build momentum. Our planner adjusts the checklist based on which format you choose.

Not always, but it helps — especially if you're pitching blogs, magazines, or radio. A press release gives journalists a ready-made story: who you are, what the song is about, and why it matters now. For your first few releases or smaller singles, a strong pitch email with a private link can work just as well.

Friday is the global standard because streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music) update editorial playlists on Fridays, and the Billboard tracking week starts then. Releasing on Friday maximizes your first-week streams and playlist placement chances. Avoid major release days when big artists drop albums — check release calendars before you pick your date.

Most distributors (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby) need 2-5 business days, but it can take up to 2 weeks during busy periods. To be safe, upload at least 3-4 weeks before your release date. This also gives you time to pitch Spotify editorial playlists, which you can only do once your track is in their system.

Yes — and you should. Working backward from a release date helps you set deadlines for mixing, mastering, and artwork. Our tool shows you the full timeline so you can see exactly when each piece needs to be done. Many artists find that having a fixed date keeps them accountable and prevents endless tweaking.

Yes, completely free. Enter your release date, choose single or album, and get a customized checklist with all your deadlines. No account required. When you're ready to get your music heard by curators, blogs, and labels, Groover's paid campaigns can help — but the planner costs nothing.