Release Strategy · 6 min read
Planning Single-Release Promotion: A 6-Week Timeline for Indie Artists
Published October 15, 2026 · Updated October 28, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Deliver your master to your distributor at least 3–4 weeks before release day so Spotify/Apple editorial pitches and ISRCs are locked.
- Schedule your radio promotion campaign either 1 week before release or within the first 7 days after release when streaming links are live.
- Use your verified radio download report in week 2 post-release to follow up with interested stations.
Weeks -4 to -2: Distribution & Asset Preparation
Finalize your 320kbps MP3, 16-bit WAV, 3000x3000px cover artwork, clean radio edit, and one-page EPK. Confirm your ISRC code and pre-save/streaming URLs.
Release Week: Radio Campaign Dispatch
When you include live Spotify and YouTube links alongside your downloadable MP3/WAV in your Indie Music Promotion campaign, programmers can preview immediately in their browser and download the broadcast master in one click.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I promote a song that was released a few months ago?
- Yes. Radio programmers care far more about whether a track is new to their audience and fits their show than whether it came out last Friday.
Promote Your Next Single With Transparent Reporting
Compare Starter ($10), Growth ($15), and Pro ($20) packages, check live station eligibility for your genre, and track verified station downloads.
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