PINJAR MUSIC • RELEASE PLANNING
Finishing your song is a milestone. Giving it a realistic release schedule is the next important step.
A clear music release timeline helps you organise final files, complete your distribution submission and prepare the content that introduces your music.
This four-week framework is a practical planning recommendation. Adjust it to your distributor’s requirements, the complexity of your release and the work still remaining.
How Early Should You Submit Your Song?
Start with your distributor’s recommended submission window, then allow additional time for corrections, profile access and promotional preparation.
For a planned independent release, beginning preparation around four weeks ahead can give you a useful working structure. Some projects need more time, especially when recordings, permissions or artwork are still unfinished.
Fast delivery is not a complete release plan
A delivery estimate may describe review or submission to platforms. It does not necessarily mean your release will appear everywhere immediately or that promotional tasks are already complete.
Before choosing a date, confirm what your distributor’s delivery estimate covers and whether it refers to business days or calendar days.
Understand the Different Release Stages
| Stage | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Submission | You upload your files and release information. |
| Distributor review | Your submission is checked and may need corrections. |
| Delivery | The release is sent to selected platforms. |
| Platform processing | Each service processes the delivered release. |
| Release availability | Listeners can access the music on a platform. |
Track these milestones in a simple release sheet. A submitted release and a publicly available release are different stages.
Your Four-Week Music Release Timeline
Use the following schedule as a starting point rather than a universal service deadline. Move submission earlier whenever your distributor or campaign requires it.
| When | Main Focus |
|---|---|
| Four weeks before | Approve assets, confirm requirements and submit. |
| Three weeks before | Resolve corrections and check delivery progress. |
| Two weeks before | Check upcoming music, pitch where eligible and prepare promotion. |
| Final week | Verify details and schedule release-day content. |
| Release day | Check live links and share the music. |
| Following weeks | Continue promotion and review audience response. |
1 Four Weeks Before: Finalise and Submit
Create one approved release folder containing the final audio, artwork and metadata sheet. Make sure everyone involved knows which files are final.
- Listen to the complete master recording.
- Confirm the release title and artist names.
- Review contributor credits and agreed splits.
- Check artwork specifications and spelling.
- Confirm permissions for the material used.
- Check existing ISRCs for previously released recordings.
- Choose the intended release date and territories.
Submit according to your distributor’s requirements. Save the submission reference and monitor any requests for corrections.
Use our music metadata checklist and album cover art guide before uploading.
2 Three Weeks Before: Check Progress
Review your distributor’s release status. Respond promptly if the team asks for corrected artwork, metadata or supporting documents.
Confirm that the intended artist profiles are associated with the delivery, where your distributor supports profile mapping.
Prepare Your Artist Materials
- Update your short artist biography.
- Select an approved artist photograph.
- Write a clear description of the song.
- Prepare a short performance or studio clip.
- Confirm who will publish each promotional item.
Tell a specific story
Explain what inspired the song, how it was recorded or which lyric matters to you. Concrete details give listeners a reason to connect with the release.
3 Two Weeks Before: Check Upcoming Music and Pitch
If you use Spotify for Artists, check whether the delivered release appears in your upcoming music.
Spotify says upcoming music can take around 48 hours to appear after submission through the distributor to Spotify. This refers to visibility in the artist tool, not a guaranteed public release time.
Plan Spotify Pitching Early
Pitch an eligible unreleased song once it is available in Spotify for Artists. Spotify’s guidance highlights submitting the pitch at least seven days before release.
Seven days is not your distributor upload deadline
The music needs to reach Spotify and become available for pitching first. Allow time for distributor review, delivery and platform processing. Pitching does not guarantee editorial placement.
Prepare Your Promotion
- Create a release announcement.
- Prepare short clips in the formats you need.
- Write captions and contributor acknowledgements.
- Check any available pre-release links.
- Plan what you will share after launch.
4 The Final Week: Confirm and Schedule
Review the release information one more time. If a correction is necessary, ask the distributor how it may affect the planned date.
- Check the song title and artist credits.
- Confirm the artwork and audio version.
- Review the release date and any timing settings.
- Schedule your announcement and supporting posts.
- Prepare a list of links to verify on release day.
Avoid assuming that availability will begin at exactly the same moment in every country or on every service. Confirm the timing options offered by your distributor.
5 Release Day: Verify Before Sharing
Open the live release on your priority platforms and check the listening experience. Share verified links in your announcement.
Release-Day Checks
- The correct song plays.
- The release appears on the intended artist profile.
- The title, artwork and visible credits look correct.
- Track order is correct for an EP or album.
- Your website and social links open the right release.
- Collaborators have the approved links to share.
Publish your announcement, thank contributors and respond to listeners. Keep a record of any platform issues that need follow-up.
Keep Promoting After Release Day
A release campaign can continue well beyond the first announcement. Give the song several opportunities to reach interested listeners.
- Share a live or acoustic performance.
- Explain a meaningful lyric.
- Post a short recording-session story.
- Introduce a collaborator and their contribution.
- Answer listener questions about the song.
Review audience activity over time rather than judging the project from its first day. Notice which content brings useful engagement and which ideas you can improve.
Keep listening analytics separate from financial reporting. Our guide to how music streaming royalties work explains that distinction.
What If Your Release Is Delayed?
Identify which stage needs attention. Check whether the release is awaiting your correction, distributor review or platform processing.
Contact support with a concise request containing the release title, submission reference, intended date and affected platform. Include the UPC or ISRC if available.
Useful support message
“Please check the delivery status of [release title], reference [submission ID], scheduled for [date]. It is currently showing [status], and I cannot see it on [platform]. Please confirm whether any action is required from me.”
If the date needs to change, update scheduled announcements and notify collaborators. Confirm the next step before creating a duplicate submission.
Plan Your Next Release With Pinjar Music
Explore our distribution plans and confirm the submission requirements for your next single, EP or album.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is four weeks required for every music release?
No. This is a suggested planning framework. Your distributor’s requirements and the complexity of the project determine the time you need.
Can I upload seven days before release and still pitch?
Do not rely on that schedule. Review, delivery and platform processing take time before the song becomes available for pitching. Submit earlier.
Does priority delivery guarantee my release date?
Check the exact terms of the service. Faster distributor handling does not automatically guarantee publication on every platform by a particular time.
When should I announce my release date?
A practical approach is to confirm your assets, submit the release and review its status before making a firm public announcement.
What if my song is missing from Spotify for Artists?
Check with your distributor that the release was delivered to Spotify and mapped to the intended artist profile. Allow for processing before assuming the submission failed.
Should I stop promoting after release day?
Continue with relevant performances, stories and supporting content. Give listeners time and different ways to discover the song.