Release week checklist
The week a song comes out moves fast. Here's what to do from the week before release to the end of the first week, in order.
Release week checklist
The week before 0 of 5
The day before release 0 of 3
Release day 0 of 8
The first week 0 of 5
From the free release week checklist at wellmadeplays.com/toolkit
We plan the release from months out.
Release week goes well when the pitch, the press, your posts and your mailing list were planned months before. We build that plan around your song.
- Release / Rollout Blueprint $397
A calendar worked back from the release date: every deadline, what to post and when, a release-week checklist, and who to pitch when. We don't pitch playlists for you or promise adds.
See what's in it
Not sure what you need? A 30-minute call (opens in a new tab) costs $49, and the fee comes off any project you book within 30 days. Flat fees, never a percentage of what you earn.
Why release week matters
Streaming services pay attention to what listeners do with a new song: saves, repeat plays, adds to their own playlists. Release week is when your fans can show that fastest, so everything on this list is about giving the people who already care about you an easy way to do it.
Most of release week is decided before it starts. If the pitch, the videos and the posts are ready, release day is mostly checking, posting and answering people. For the whole runway, use the release timeline builder.
Questions
What time do songs come out?
Most services release new music at midnight local time on Friday. Check your song early on release morning, wherever your listeners are.
What if my song isn't live on release day?
Email your distributor's support right away with the release name, the date and the service where it's missing.
Can I still pitch Spotify on release week?
Spotify asks for at least 7 days so editors have time to listen, and pitching later misses your followers' Release Radar. Once a song is live it can't be pitched, so plan the next pitch earlier.
Last reviewed October 8, 2026