Music release checklist for Indian artists: from six weeks before to a month after
By the SUF Digitals team · Updated
A good release is mostly done before release day. This checklist runs from six weeks before to a month after: finish the files and paperwork, set up the release with the right details, lock it at least 14 days early for pitching, and spend release week getting real people to press play. Print it, or keep it open while you work.
Six to four weeks before
- Final master as a WAV or FLAC file, 16 or 24 bit, at 44.1 to 96 kHz, with a little headroom.
- Cover art at exactly 3000 x 3000 px, square, RGB, sharp, with only the title, artist name and your logo. Test it with the cover art checker.
- Credits written down: singers, featured artists, composer, lyricist, producer, music director.
- A signed split sheet if more than one person shares the song or the recording: see the split sheet template.
- Rights paperwork: a licence for a cover, permission for a remix, licences for samples or a beat. See cover songs in India.
- IPRS details for any writer who is a member (the IPI number).
- One fixed spelling of your artist name, and your Spotify and Apple Music artist links if you have them.
Four to three weeks before: set up the release
- Create the release: Single, EP or Album, with a title that is only the song's name (no Official, Lyrical, feat. or ALL CAPS).
- Add every artist with their store links, or tick that they are not on a store yet.
- Pick the language, genre, sub-genre and mood that fit, and write a short description.
- Declare the song rights for every track: original, cover, traditional or remix.
- Set the caller tune start time on each track, at the hook.
- From the Rising plan up, choose the release date: at least your plan's delivery time away, and a Friday lines up with weekly new music playlists. On Debut the date is set for you, 7 days after you submit.
Two weeks before: lock it and pitch
- Submit and have the release locked at least 14 days before release day, so it can be pitched to editors at six platforms (from the Pro plan up).
- Claim Spotify for Artists if you have not, and pitch your focus song there at least 7 days before release, which also puts it in your followers' Release Radar.
- Share your smart link with its countdown, so fans can sign up for a release-day alert.
- Plan three to five reels: a performance clip, a lyric clip, behind the scenes, and a trend using the hook.
- Line up creators or ads if you are promoting: marketing services.
Release week
- Open the smart link on release day and test each store.
- Post the first reel with the song from the Instagram music library, not as original audio.
- Put the smart link in your bio and on your WhatsApp status.
- Tell fans how to set the song as their caller tune on Jio and Airtel.
- If the song is on Content ID, get your channel allowlisted before you upload your official or lyric video, so the video is not claimed; if your channel is in the YouTube Partner Program, its ad money then stays with your channel.
- Thank and repost everyone who uses the song.
The month after
- Check the song is on every store; report any missing store in Support.
- Check the song is linked to your Instagram profile; if not, use the profile linking request.
- Check caller tunes on each network after about two weeks.
- Once three releases are live on YouTube Music, request your Official Artist Channel.
- Keep posting reels with the hook; most songs grow after week one, not in it.
- Expect royalties two to three months after the streams, and watch daily streams in the portal meanwhile.
Common questions
How far in advance should I upload my song?
Three to four weeks is ideal: lock it at least 14 days ahead if you want it pitched to playlist editors, and pitch it yourself in Spotify for Artists at least 7 days ahead. Scheduling ahead needs your own release date (Rising and up); on Debut the release goes live 7 days after you submit.
What day of the week should I release music?
Friday is the usual choice, because most stores refresh their new music playlists on Fridays. Pick a date you can promote.
What files do I need to release a song?
A WAV or FLAC master, a 3000 x 3000 px cover, the credits, and any licences for covers, remixes, samples or beats.
When will I get paid for my release?
Stores report about two to three months after the month of the streams, and you withdraw on your plan's payout schedule.
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