Free music release plan template

A release is a chain of dependent work, not a single upload date. Keep the music, delivery, promotion and next action connected in one editable plan.

Use this template free Free, no account, opens in your browser.

Main focusMusic release planBranchRelease timelineThoughtAudio and metadataBranchDistribution and pitchingThoughtContent from one song

Built from the same cards and connections you edit inside HeadTidy.

What’s included

A release timeline with deliverables, owners, dates and status
Audio, artwork, credits and metadata checks
Distribution, artist-profile and pitching preparation
A content table that turns one song into several useful angles
One high-priority card for the next release move

Work backwards from the date listeners will see

Choose the release date only after checking how long distribution, artwork, collaborators and pitching need. Put each irreversible deadline in the timeline, then give it an owner. A task called “promotion” hides the work; a row called “deliver final master and metadata” can be finished.

Finish the release package, not only the audio

The master, clean or instrumental versions, title spelling, writer and producer credits, artwork, lyrics and platform details need one shared source of truth. The template keeps those checks beside the release story, so the public description and the metadata do not drift into different versions.

Give pitching and content real lead time

Current platform deadlines can change, so check them before dating the plan. Spotify for Artists, for example, currently recommends pitching the focus track before release rather than waiting for release day. The content table starts with the story, process, musical moment and live link so every post does not sound like the same announcement.

Worked example

For a single released on 20 November, the artist works backwards to delivery, artwork approval, profile updates, pitching and the first preview. The timeline exposes that the cover is blocking delivery. “Approve cover” becomes the next move instead of spending another afternoon drafting release-day captions.

How to use this template

Start
Name the release, its date, its listener and the one result you want.
Sort
Work backwards through delivery, pitching, assets and content; give every hard deadline an owner.
Move
Open The next release move and complete the task currently blocking the chain.

Frequently asked questions

Is this music release planner free?

Yes. It opens as an editable HeadTidy map in your browser with no account required. You can change every branch, date, checklist and table.

Can I use it for a single, EP or album?

Yes. Keep one timeline for a single. For an EP or album, add one branch or table for track readiness, then keep the shared artwork, metadata, delivery and campaign work at release level.

How far ahead should I plan a music release?

Start early enough to finish the master and artwork, deliver to the distributor, complete platform pitches and prepare useful content before release week. Check each platform’s current rules before fixing the dates because lead times can change.