The Independent Release Timeline: A Week-by-Week Checklist

Releasing music without a plan wastes your best chance at attention. Use this timeline as a starting point and adjust it to your own schedule.

8 weeks before

Finish mixing and mastering, set a release date and choose a distributor.

6 weeks before

Finalise artwork and book a photo shoot. Write your bio and release description.

4 weeks before

Upload to your distributor, submit to Spotify for Artists, and prepare your EPK.

2 weeks before

Start pitching blogs and magazines. Announce the release on social media with a preview.

Release week

Submit to BRiNSPOT, share your links everywhere, and thank anyone who covers you.

2 to 4 weeks after

Follow up with editors, pitch playlists, and add new press to your EPK. Then start planning the next release.