Free artist tool · No sign-up

Release Planner

Pick your release date and get a week-by-week plan with real dates. Tick off tasks, add notes, download it as a PDF and put every step in your calendar.

12 weeks before (EP / album)

  • Lock the tracklist and running order
  • Book mixing and mastering slots for every track
  • Set a simple budget: artwork, video, promo, ads
  • Pick the focus track that leads the campaign

8 weeks before

  • Finish the mix and get the master approved
  • Collect credits and agree on splits (split sheet signed)
  • Decide the goal of this release: new listeners, press, live shows, playlists
  • Plan or book a photo and video shoot

6 weeks before

  • Final cover art: square, at least 3000 × 3000 px, readable as a tiny thumbnail
  • Write a short bio and a press text for this release
  • Prepare metadata: title, featured artists, genre, language, lyrics, credits
  • Sketch a content plan: what you post in each week until release

4 weeks before

  • Upload to your distributor (most ask for three to four weeks lead time)
  • Set up a pre-save or smart link
  • Pin yourself on the INDIEINDEX Global Scene Map
  • Pitch blogs, magazines and radio with a Free Submission

2 weeks before

  • Pitch the song to editorial playlists in your streaming dashboards (deadlines change, check the current rules)
  • Submit your Drop to INDIEINDEX, a pre-save link works too
  • Announce the release date and reveal the cover
  • Post the first teaser

1 week before

  • Share snippets and behind-the-scenes clips
  • Remind people to pre-save
  • Confirm interviews, features and live sessions
  • Prepare release-day posts, stories and captions in advance

Release day

  • Check that the song is live everywhere and all links work
  • Post on every channel and update the link in your bio
  • Send the link personally to the people who helped
  • Thank curators, writers and fans who share it

1 week after

  • Look at your stats: where do listeners come from, what do they save
  • Reply to comments and messages
  • Pitch independent playlists and curators with the live link
  • Share every feature you get (repost, tag, say thanks)

4 weeks after

  • Follow up with press and curators who did not reply yet
  • Release extra content: video, visualizer, live or acoustic version
  • Write down what worked and what you would skip next time
  • Set the date for your next release

Submit a Drop · Get your pin · Free Submission to the network