Music Promotion Checklist - 7 Steps Before You Spend a Dollar

1

Optimize Your Artist Profiles

Spotify for Artists: Profile image, header, bio with city, Artist's Pick, gallery, social links
Apple Music: Claim profile, matching image, bio, custom background
YouTube: Channel banner, About section, organize playlists, set channel trailer

2

Create Your Link-in-Bio Hub

Choose tool: Linktree, Stan, Carrd, or custom page
Add latest release (streaming links) - top priority
Add email signup with incentive
Add upcoming shows (if applicable)
Add merch link (if selling)
Limit to 5-7 links max for better conversions

3

Set Up Email Capture

Choose platform: Mailchimp (250 free), MailerLite (500 free), or Buttondown
Create signup form with incentive (unreleased track, demo, early access)
Add form to link-in-bio (prominent placement)
Add form to website
Add link in YouTube descriptions

Why email? Email converts 5-10x better than social. When you have something to sell, email is how you monetize.

4

Claim Your Content Everywhere

TikTok: Verify songs appear in sound library and link to your profile
Instagram: Verify music appears in music library
YouTube Content ID: Enable via distributor, set to "track and monetize"
Check distributor settings if music isn't appearing (1-2 week sync time)

5

Create 3 Reusable Content Formats

Format 1 - Behind-the-scenes: Recording clips, songwriting, gear walkthroughs
Format 2 - Performance: Music video clips, live footage, lyric highlights
Format 3 - Personality: Takes on topics, reactions, day-in-the-life, humor
Batch 2-3 hours: Film 10-15 clips, edit, schedule for 2-3 weeks

6

Submit to Spotify Editorial Playlists

Log into Spotify for Artists > Music > Upcoming
Submit 4+ weeks before release (6-8 weeks is better)
Be specific: Genre, mood, instrumentation, story behind the song
Research and mention target playlists that fit your sound

Reality check: Most submissions don't get playlisted. But you miss 100% you don't pitch, and submitting helps Spotify's algorithm understand your music.

7

Reach Out to 10 People Who Should Hear Your Music

Playlist curators: Find user-curated playlists in your genre with contact info
Music bloggers: Search "[your genre] music blog" or "[your city] music scene"
Fellow artists: Similar-level artists for features, remixes, playlist swaps
Keep it short: Personalize each email, use private links, don't attach files
Expectation: 1-2 responses per 10 emails is normal. 10/month = 12-24 relationships/year
Follow-up: Maximum one follow-up per contact