How to Make Your Next Release a Marketing Success

Releasing music isn’t just about hitting “publish” on a streaming platform. To truly make an impact, you need a solid marketing plan that builds anticipation, engages your audience, and maximises your reach. Whether you’re releasing a single, an EP, or an album, a strong marketing strategy ensures your hard work gets the attention it deserves. Here’s how to turn your next release into a marketing success.

1. Start with a Clear Plan

Great marketing begins with preparation. Before your release date, outline a detailed timeline for promotional activities. Identify key milestones like teaser announcements, pre-save campaigns, and post-release follow-ups.

• What to Include:

  • Release date and time.

  • Platforms where the music will be available.

  • Promotional content ideas (videos, images, posts).

  • Key channels (social media, email, SMS).

• Tip: Use a calendar to map out your entire campaign and ensure no steps are missed.

2. Build Anticipation with a Pre-Save Campaign

Pre-save campaigns allow your audience to queue your music before it’s officially released, ensuring they listen as soon as it drops. This can also boost your chances of landing on playlists.

• How to Do It:

  • Create a pre-save link using platforms like TenFold, which makes it easy to generate and share.

  • Promote the link via social media, email, and SMS campaigns.

• Pro Tip: Pair your pre-save campaign with a giveaway or exclusive content to encourage participation.

3. Craft Teaser Content

Teasers are essential for sparking curiosity and excitement. These short, engaging pieces of content offer a glimpse of what’s coming and keep your audience intrigued.

• Ideas for Teasers:

  • Snippets of the track or lyrics.

  • Behind-the-scenes videos of the recording process.

  • A countdown to the release date.

• Tip: Use visuals that align with your music’s vibe to make your teasers stand out.

4. Engage Your Supporters Directly

Your most loyal listeners are your greatest asset when it comes to spreading the word. Engage with them directly to build hype around your release.

• How to Engage:

  • Share exclusive updates via email or SMS.

  • Create polls or Q&A sessions on Instagram to involve your audience in the journey.

  • Offer early access to content, like snippets or artwork.

• Tip: Use personalised messages to make your audience feel valued and part of the release process.

5. Collaborate with Other Artists

Collaborations can significantly expand your reach by introducing your music to a new audience. Partnering with another artist adds fresh energy to your marketing efforts.

• How to Collaborate:

  • Release a collaborative track or remix.

  • Cross-promote each other’s content on social media.

  • Create a joint live session or Q&A.

• Tip: Choose collaborators whose audience aligns with your style and vision.

6. Don’t Forget Your Merch

Tie your music release to new merchandise to maximise revenue and engagement. Merchandise offers your supporters a tangible way to connect with your work.

• Ideas:

  • Limited-edition T-shirts or posters with your release artwork.

  • Bundle merch with digital downloads for added value.

• Tip: Use platforms like TenFold to seamlessly integrate your merch store with your release campaign.

7. Leverage Playlists

Playlists are one of the most effective ways to get your music heard. Focus on submitting your track to both editorial and independent playlists.

• How to Maximise Playlist Potential:

  • Identify curators in your genre and pitch your music directly.

  • Use TenFold’s playlist pitching tools to increase your visibility.

• Tip: Encourage your listeners to add your track to their personal playlists for organic growth.

8. Go Live Before and After the Release

Live sessions allow you to connect with your audience in real time, build excitement, and share your passion for the new release.

• Pre-Release Live Ideas:

  • Perform an acoustic version of the track.

  • Share the story behind the song.

  • Host a countdown to the release moment.

• Post-Release Live Ideas:

  • Thank your supporters and celebrate the release together.

  • Perform the track live and take audience questions.

• Tip: Promote your live sessions in advance to ensure maximum attendance.

9. Use Data to Adjust Your Strategy

Analytics are your best friend for evaluating the success of your marketing efforts. Monitor key metrics like streams, social media engagement, and email open rates.

• What to Track:

  • How many pre-saves were generated.

  • Streaming performance in the first week.

  • Audience growth across platforms.

• Tip: Use the insights to fine-tune your future campaigns and build on what worked best.

10. Keep Promoting After Release Day

Your campaign shouldn’t end once your music is live. Continue promoting your release to keep it in the spotlight and maintain momentum.

• Post-Release Ideas:

  • Share testimonials or reviews from listeners.

  • Release a music video or lyric video.

  • Collaborate with influencers to amplify your reach.

• Tip: Schedule follow-up campaigns at regular intervals to sustain interest.

With the right marketing strategy, your next release can be more than just another track—it can be a milestone in your music career. TenFold provides the tools and support you need to amplify your reach and connect with your audience like never before.

Get started with TenFold today and make your next release a success.

Your Journey, Amplified TenFold!