The Song Rollout Timeline
What does a proper single rollout timeline look like?
Quick Answer
A solid single rollout runs about six weeks: assets and profiles at week 6, distribution and editorial pitch at week 4, DJ service and pre-save push at weeks 3 to 2, content ramp in release week, then 4+ weeks of working reactions after release.
Week 6, Foundation
Master approved, clean edit and instrumental done, artwork final, metadata sheet locked, splits agreed in writing. Profiles claimed and matching everywhere. Nothing public yet.
Week 4, Paperwork Goes In
Submit to your distributor with the real release date. Pitch Spotify editorial via Spotify for Artists the same day distribution clears. Shoot your content batch now, teasers, the announcement post, release-week clips, so release week is posting, not producing.
Weeks 3 to 2, Warm Up the Humans
Pre-save link goes live. Teasers start. And this is the DJ window: service the record to a record pool now so club and mixshow DJs have it, can test it, and can be spinning it the same week the public gets it. A record that shows up on release day with DJ activity already behind it is a different product to playlists and radio than a cold upload.
Release Week, Concentrate Everything
Everything fires in the same 72 hours: the drop, the content, the personal outreach, the reaction reposts. Algorithms measure velocity, concentrated activity beats the same activity spread over a month.
Weeks +1 to +4, The Real Campaign
Now you promote the record's traction, not the record: pitch curators with DJ feedback and early numbers, push a second wave (video, remix), work the cities where it reacted, and keep DJs fed with any new versions. Most records that "come out of nowhere" spent a month here first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I roll out a single in two weeks?
You can, but you sacrifice editorial pitching (needs lead time) and pre-release DJ service. If the record is time-sensitive, compress weeks 6 to 4 into a few days, but keep distribution at least two weeks ahead of release.
How long should I promote a single before moving on?
Six to eight weeks minimum after release. Most artists quit at two weeks, exactly when DJ spins, playlist adds, and algorithmic traction typically start compounding.
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