# New Release Checklist (Single)

A phase-by-phase checklist for releasing one single (digital, DSP-first). Adjust dates if you're pushing harder on editorial — major pitches and bigger campaigns want longer runways. Default assumption: independent house/tech-house release through a distributor.

**How to use this:** Set your release date (always a Friday for DSP refresh alignment) and count backward. Check items off as you go. Anything money-related has a realistic indie range noted.

---

## 8 Weeks Out — Lock the Asset & Foundations

- [ ] **Confirm the release date** (Friday). Avoid major-holiday weeks and your own back-to-back releases.
- [ ] **Final master approved** — get the loud/streaming master AND a clean instrumental + radio edit if relevant. Confirm formats: 24-bit / 44.1kHz WAV minimum for delivery.
- [ ] **Master loudness sanity check** — roughly -8 to -10 LUFS integrated for club/house masters is normal; don't over-limit. DSPs normalize, so chasing loudness past the limiter just kills dynamics.
- [ ] **Backup the master and stems** in two places (cloud + local). Label clearly: `Artist - Title (Master) [v1].wav`.
- [ ] **Confirm all splits in writing** — songwriter splits, producer points, featured-artist splits, remixer terms. Get a one-page split sheet signed by everyone BEFORE release. This is the #1 thing that blows up later.
- [ ] **Decide artwork direction** and brief the designer. Spec: 3000x3000 px, RGB, JPG/PNG, no DSP logos, no unlicensed images, no advertising/URLs/social handles in the art.
- [ ] **Draft metadata** (see metadata block below) so it's ready to drop into the distributor.
- [ ] **Confirm the primary artist name spelling/casing** exactly as it appears on existing profiles (Snooko, not SNOOKO/snooko) to avoid creating a duplicate artist profile.

---

## 6 Weeks Out — Metadata, Codes, and Delivery Setup

- [ ] **Finalize artwork** — proof at small size (it lives as a thumbnail). Save master art file in the release folder.
- [ ] **Lock metadata.** Required fields:
  - [ ] Track title (+ version: Original Mix / Extended Mix / Radio Edit)
  - [ ] Primary artist(s) + featured artist(s)
  - [ ] Songwriter legal names (not stage names) for publishing
  - [ ] Producer / remixer credits
  - [ ] Genre + subgenre (e.g., Dance / House or Tech House)
  - [ ] Language of lyrics (or "Instrumental")
  - [ ] Explicit / Clean flag
  - [ ] (P) and (C) lines — e.g., `℗ 2026 Greyscale Music Group` / `© 2026 Greyscale Music Group`
  - [ ] Release date + original release date (if previously out)
- [ ] **ISRC assigned** per track (distributor auto-assigns, or use your own registrant code — see ISRC & UPC guide).
- [ ] **UPC/EAN assigned** for the release (distributor provides one free in almost all cases).
- [ ] **Confirm distributor delivery lead time.** Build the rest of the calendar around this: most distributors want the release **at least 7–21 days** before street date for normal placement, and **3–4+ weeks** if you want any shot at Spotify editorial.
- [ ] **Choose territories** (usually Worldwide) and **stores** (all DSPs + Beatport/Traxsource for house/tech-house — these matter in this lane).

---

## 4 Weeks Out — Deliver, Pitch, and Pre-Save

- [ ] **Upload/deliver the release to the distributor** with all metadata, art, and audio. Set the street date.
- [ ] **Submit to Spotify for Artists editorial** the moment the release is in your distributor and showing in Spotify for Artists — needs to be **at least 7 days before release**, ideally 3–4 weeks. One pitch per release; pick your strongest track.
- [ ] **Pitch Apple Music / Amazon** via your distributor's editorial tools or label rep if available.
- [ ] **Pitch Beatport / Traxsource** (or have your label/distributor do it) — Hype/Beatport feature consideration where applicable.
- [ ] **Set up the pre-save / smart link** (Feature.fm, Hyperfollow via DistroKid, ToneDen, or Laylo for Snooko). Get the URL live so you can start collecting.
- [ ] **Build the Laylo drop** (Snooko) to capture pre-save + RSVP audience for the release.
- [ ] **Independent playlist outreach list** — build a sheet of curators (editorial, algorithmic-adjacent, and credible independent/label playlists) with contact + pitch angle. No pay-for-play bot playlists.
- [ ] **Draft the press one-sheet** — who, what, when, the story/hook, key links, contact. One page.
- [ ] **Line up premiere/blog/channel** if doing one (YouTube channel premiere, blog exclusive, label takeover). Premieres usually want a 1–2 week exclusive window before wide release.

---

## 2 Weeks Out — Content & Campaign Live

- [ ] **Pre-save link live everywhere** — bio, story highlights, email footer, Laylo.
- [ ] **Content batched and scheduled:**
  - [ ] 2–3 short-form teasers (Reels/TikTok) with the hook section of the track
  - [ ] Cover-reveal post
  - [ ] Behind-the-scenes / studio clip
  - [ ] Countdown stickers / Laylo reminders
- [ ] **Email/SMS list teased** — announce date + pre-save.
- [ ] **Confirm release showing correctly** on Spotify/Apple via pre-release link; check artist profile, art, credits, and that it's mapped to the RIGHT artist profile (no duplicate).
- [ ] **Send press one-sheet + private stream** to blogs, DJ supporters, and curators with the date.
- [ ] **Service promos to DJs** (private SoundCloud/Dropbox or promo pool) so the record is being played before release if it's a club track.
- [ ] **Schedule release-day posts.**

---

## Release Week (Friday Drop)

- [ ] **Confirm live on all DSPs** Friday morning — spot-check Spotify, Apple, YouTube Music, Beatport, Traxsource.
- [ ] **Update the smart link** from pre-save to "Listen Now" / streaming.
- [ ] **Post release-day content** — announcement, story, Laylo blast, email/SMS.
- [ ] **Pin the link** in bio and across profiles.
- [ ] **Personally thank early supporters** (DJs, curators, fans who pre-saved). DM the supporters who matter.
- [ ] **Add the track to your own playlists** and any artist/label playlists you control.
- [ ] **Check Spotify for Artists** for editorial adds and where the first streams are coming from.
- [ ] **Watch for metadata errors live** (wrong artist, missing credits, bad art) and open a distributor ticket immediately if anything's off.

---

## Post-Release (Weeks 1–4)

- [ ] **Day 1–3:** Keep posting — UGC, "out now" reminders, DJ-support reposts. The first 7 days drive algorithmic momentum.
- [ ] **Submit to algorithmic/independent playlists** that only accept already-released tracks.
- [ ] **Register the song with your PRO** (ASCAP / BMI / SESAC) as songwriter AND publisher so performance royalties get collected. Do this for every release.
- [ ] **Register/claim with publishing admin** (Songtrust, distributor publishing, or your admin) to collect mechanical + global royalties.
- [ ] **Register the master with SoundExchange** (as rights owner / featured artist) to collect non-interactive digital performance royalties (US webcasting, satellite, etc.). One-time setup per entity, then claim recordings.
- [ ] **Claim the recording on YouTube Content ID** (via distributor) so UGC and lyric/visual videos monetize.
- [ ] **Set up / verify Spotify & Apple artist profile** claims and pitch tools for next time.
- [ ] **Week 2–4 review:** Pull the numbers — saves, streams, source of streams (editorial vs algorithmic vs your own audience), best-performing content, playlist adds, Beatport chart position.
- [ ] **Log learnings** into the campaign tracker: what drove streams, which content hit, which curators replied. Feed this into the next release plan.
- [ ] **Plan the follow-up** — momentum content, remix package, or next single timing (don't go dark; aim to re-engage within 6–8 weeks).

---

### Metadata Quick-Reference Block

Copy this for each release and fill it in once, then paste into the distributor:

```
Primary Artist:        Snooko
Featured Artist(s):    —
Track Title:           [Title]
Version:               Extended Mix / Original Mix / Radio Edit
Songwriter(s) (legal): [Legal Name 1], [Legal Name 2]
Producer(s):           [Name]
Remixer(s):            [Name]
Genre / Subgenre:      Dance / Tech House
Explicit:              No
Language:              Instrumental
ISRC:                  [auto / your code]
UPC:                   [auto]
(P) Line:              ℗ 2026 Greyscale Music Group
(C) Line:              © 2026 Greyscale Music Group
Release Date:          [Friday]
Label:                 Greyscale Music Group
Territories:           Worldwide
```
