How to Plan a Music Release Rollout: An 8-Week Timeline

by RMG EMPIRE STAFF December 1, 2025

Great songs get lost every day because they are released without a plan. A rollout is the schedule of everything you do before, during, and after a release to give the song the best chance to connect. Here is a simple 8-week music release rollout plan.

RMG Empire insight: Great music still needs a plan. Roots Music Group builds release and marketing strategies for RMG Empire artists. See how we work.

Weeks 8 to 6: Foundation

• Finalize the mix and master
• Complete cover art and press photos
• Document credits and splits
• Set your release date and goals
• Plan your content themes and visual direction

Weeks 5 to 4: Setup

• Upload to your distributor
• Pitch the song to Spotify editorial through Spotify for Artists
• Create your pre-save link
• Film a batch of short-form videos and behind-the-scenes content
• Build a list of playlist curators, blogs, DJs, and radio contacts
• Update your EPK

Weeks 3 to 1: Build Anticipation

• Announce the release date and reveal the cover art
• Launch the pre-save campaign
• Post song previews several times a week
• Send pitches to curators and media
• Email your fan list with the pre-save link
• Line up a release event, livestream, or show

Release Week

• Post the official link everywhere
• Update bios and link-in-bio pages
• Go live or host a listening session
• Email and text your fans
• Respond to every comment and share fan content
• Thank curators and supporters

Weeks 1 to 4 After Release: Keep It Moving

Most artists stop promoting too early. Keep the song alive with a music video or visualizer, new short-form content, acoustic or live versions, remixes, fan challenges, and follow-up pitches. Many songs grow slowly, and consistent promotion gives them the chance.

Review and Plan Ahead

After four weeks, review your streams, saves, followers, and which content performed best. Then start planning the next release. Releasing consistently, every six to ten weeks for many artists, keeps your audience engaged and feeds the algorithm.

Keep It Realistic

You do not have to do everything. Pick the steps you can do well and stay consistent. As your career grows, a team can help you execute bigger rollouts.

Roots Music Group builds release calendars, rollout plans, and creative campaigns with artists.

How RMG Empire Can Help

Want a team in your corner? Through RMG Empire artist services, Roots Music Group can support you with:

• Release calendars and rollout planning
• Instagram and TikTok strategy and content planning
• Creative campaigns with promotional flyers and short-form video concepts
• Distribution setup and metadata

Instead of guessing, you get a professional team, a clear plan, and people who have done this before. See our services and packages.

Take the Next Step With Roots Music Group

RMG Empire is the artist family of Roots Music Group Inc., an independent record label and artist-services company with roots in Los Angeles and a network across Miami, Atlanta, and New York. RMG Empire artists get support with artist development, release strategy, marketing and PR, distribution guidance, booking preparation, and long-term career planning. Roots Music Group Inc. is an independent record label and artist-services company with roots in Los Angeles and a network across Miami, Atlanta, and New York.

• Explore RMG Empire release and marketing services
• Submit your music for review
• Meet the RMG Empire artists

Questions? Contact the RMG Empire team.