Music Promotion Timeline: Planning Campaign Schedules

Music promotion timelines coordinate activities across pre-release, launch, and post-release phases. Proper timeline planning ensures promotional elements activate at optimal moments and build toward release. Understanding how to structure promotion over time helps maximize campaign impact.

Pre-Release Phase (6-8 Weeks Before)

Distribution delivery to ensure platform availability. Music must be delivered to distributors early.

Editorial playlist pitch submission at seven-plus days. Meeting Spotify pitch deadlines.

PR campaign initiation if using professional publicity. Press outreach begins early.

Visual content production completion. Videos, graphics, and images ready before needed.

Pre-Release Phase (4-6 Weeks Before)

Release announcement and pre-save campaign launch. Building anticipation and commitment.

Social media teaser content begins. Snippets, behind-the-scenes, and anticipation building.

Blog and playlist curator outreach. Early pitching for release-day coverage.

Email list notification of upcoming release. Informing subscribers of what’s coming.

Pre-Release Phase (2-4 Weeks Before)

Pre-save campaign intensification. Increasing promotion of pre-save opportunity.

Content escalation with more substantial teasers. Building toward release.

Influencer coordination if applicable. Arranging promotional partnerships.

Advertising campaign preparation. Setting up campaigns to launch at release.

Release Week

Launch day coordinated execution. All elements activating together.

Social media saturation. Multiple posts across platforms.

Email announcement to full list. Direct notification to subscribers.

Advertising campaign launch. Paid promotion begins.

Real-time engagement and response. Active presence throughout launch day.

Post-Release Phase (Week 1-2)

Momentum maintenance through continued promotion. Sustaining attention after initial launch.

Playlist pitching continuation. Following up on pitch submissions.

Content creation around release reception. Responding to audience feedback.

Performance data monitoring. Tracking early results.

Post-Release Phase (Weeks 2-4)

Secondary promotional waves. Additional pushes to audiences not yet reached.

Content diversification around release. Different angles and approaches.

Press follow-up for remaining coverage opportunities. Continuing media outreach.

Engagement with fan content. Acknowledging and amplifying fan response.

Post-Release Phase (Months 1-3)

Sustained promotion for catalog longevity. Preventing releases from disappearing.

Playlist maintenance efforts. Seeking additional placements.

Integration with subsequent release plans. Connecting to next promotional cycle.

Performance analysis and learning. Understanding what worked for future improvement.

Timeline Flexibility

Adjusting based on response. Responding to unexpected success or challenges.

Opportunity response capability. Being ready for unplanned opportunities.

Resource reallocation as needed. Shifting effort based on results.

Common Timeline Mistakes

Insufficient lead time. Starting promotion too late.

Front-loaded effort. Exhausting promotional energy before release.

Post-release abandonment. Stopping promotion too quickly after release.

Rigid adherence despite results. Not adapting to actual performance.

Documentation and Tracking

Calendar creation for all activities. Documenting planned timeline.

Responsibility assignment. Who does what when.

Checkpoint scheduling. Points to assess progress.

Adjustment protocols. How to modify if needed.