**Guest post written by James Hill, a veteran of the music industry. He has worked at Warner Reprise Records and then Interscope/ Geffen Records and now helps indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD, custom vinyl records and merch company in LA.

 

"So, you’ve finally decided to release an album. Wuhoo!

But listen up – getting your album out there isn’t just about tossing it into the world.

It’s more like planning a grand wedding for 1000 people – you need a solid plan.

In this guide, we’re going through fifteen essential tips—covering everything from using digital tools to finding the right partners—to make your album release stress-free (or at least less stressful than usual).

Let’s get started!

#1. PLAN WELL AND AHEAD OF TIME

We’re putting this at number one because it’s the most basic.

When you’ve decided to release an album, plan out ahead of time! Pressing vinyl takes 8-10 weeks, for example. So if you want to have vinyl, then you gotta plot your album release at least six months before your target release date minimum. After all, there are other things that could take a lot of time like marketing your album!

Anticipate all the stuff you’ve got to do and give yourself plenty of time to knock it out.

Trust me, it’s extremely important for a stress-free album release. No one needs that last-minute panic!

Use calendar apps like Google Calendar or ClickUp. Throw all your plans in there, make a sweet schedule, and let the apps do the heavy lifting.

Pro tip: Stick to one app to keep everything in one place.
+How To Survive the Winter Slowdown of the Music Industry

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#2. CREATE A CHECKLIST FOR THE STEP BY STEP PROCESS

So, once you’ve got your grand master plan all laid out, the next move is to give it another once-over.

Break it down for each day or week – whichever floats your boat.

Now, the genius trick to keep everything in check is to whip up a checklist. You know, one of those things you can joyfully tick off as you crush each task. And when you’re creating that checklist, don’t forget any of the crucial steps – cover all the bases.

If your life resembles a crazy rollercoaster, your brain a bustling city, or you just tend to forget things faster than you can say “checklist,” these checklists will swoop in to save the day.

They’re like your personal memory joggers, making sure you don’t drop the ball on anything crucial.

And hey, it’s not just about avoiding forgetfulness.

Checklists also double as your motivator and productivity boosters. Imagine yourself knocking out tasks left and right, each box getting its triumphant tick. It’s like a mini victory dance with every completion, driving you to conquer that daily or weekly checklist like a boss.

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#3. WORK WITH A ONE-STOP-SHOP

THIS IS WHERE WE CAN HELP YOU WITH!

We do vinyl, CD and cassette duplication but also…merch, posters, and 100 other things that can make an album release awesome.

 

Here’s the real deal – if you’re diving into the merch game, go big or go home.

First off, it’s like a time-saving magic trick. No need to babysit each production line because it’s all happening under one roof. Your merch gets the VIP treatment without you stressing about it 24/7.

Ordering all your merch jazz from one crew slashes the hassle of juggling multiple vendors.

Bonus? It’s a money-saving jackpot!

One-stop-shops often come with sweet bundle packages that’ll have your wallet doing a happy dance.

Hit up our website or swing by our spot – we’ve got your back.

Let’s make that merch game strong!

Related Articles:

T-Shirt Merch 101: Conceptualization,Printing, & Marketing

16 Winter Merch Items That Sell Like Hot Cakes

Which Custom Merch Items Sell The Most?

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#4. MAKE COMMUNICATION EASY AND SPEEDY

Create a central hub.

Before anything else, you have to set up your mission control, the mothership of your album release.

Now, for this superhero-level organization, you’ve got these cool project management tools like Trello or Asana. They provide visual boards that lay down tasks and their progress. You can even jazz up the bar colors and make them scream, “Look at me, I’m important!”

Plus, these tools are besties with tons of other apps – seamless integration, people!

ways to reduce stress when releasing an album, 15 ways to greatly reduce stress when releasing an album Having this central hub isn’t just for show. It’s the secret sauce for team communication. Ideas, updates, and feedback – it all goes down right there.

No more “Wait, where’s that file?” or “What’s the latest on this track?” It’s like having a backstage pass to a concert of smooth, transparent workflow.

Let the confusion fade away, and let the album awesomeness begin!

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#5. DON’T DIY YOUR MARKETING

Let’s talk about marketing your album.

Now, I know you’re probably thinking, “Duh, hire a marketing expert,” but seriously, it’s worth repeating. You don’t have to be a one-person army in this music jungle.

Seriously, you have to consider rolling with a marketing team to ease the stress load. I mean, you’re already a maestro creating tunes; let the marketing wizards handle their end. It’s like having your own personal hype squad. Not 24/7, but enough to let you dive deeper into your music magic.

If you’re scouting for a place to snag digital marketing help, swing by Thrive Agency or SmartSites. They’re like the cool kids on the block for outsourcing SEO, PPC, social media, web design, and more.

Now, if you’re more of a direct-pay kinda artist, check out Fiverr or Upwork. It’s like a virtual bazaar where freelancers and talent hunters (that’s you) meet up. So, whether you’re team collaboration or solo mission, there’s a path for everyone.
+3 Winning Strategies For Every Musician's Publicity Campaign

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#6. HIRE PROFESSIONALS

Quick tip before you dive headfirst into the creative chaos: take a sec to assess your skills. If you’re eyeballing a task like crafting your own album cover and thinking, “Umm, amateur alert,” maybe hit pause.

Consider roping in a pro. Trust me, it’s worth it. Forking out some cash for guaranteed quality beats stressing over DIY gone wrong any day, am I right?

Now, let’s talk about the unsung hero of music-making – the mastering engineer. Hiring them isn’t just a luxury; it’s a must-have. Mastering is that final step of music post-production adding in the final touches, balancing your mix and making it sound awesome across all systems and media formats.

But here’s the real talk: if your budget’s doing the limbo and scraping the floor, maybe rethink that album drop for now. Let’s keep it real and financially sound, folks!

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#7. MANAGE YOUR TIME EFFECTIVELY

Alright, let’s talk about the crucial art of managing your time without turning into a stress-crazed workaholic.

First things first, don’t drown yourself in tasks. Self-care is legit, folks. You’re not a superhero (well, maybe a bit), so don’t turn into a stress-fueled workaholic.

Here’s the secret sauce: balance. Allocate time for both hustling and kicking back. Treat those breaks like mini victories for acing your to-do list. Remember, all work and no play makes for a pretty stressed-out you.

Now, onto the techniques. There’s this cool one called Time Blocking. It’s like giving each task its VIP time slot. No multitasking allowed; it’s all about one thing at a time.

Then there’s the Two-Minute Rule – if a task can be done in under two minutes, just do it. No procrastination, no piling up of tiny tasks. Easy peasy.

Lastly, we’ve got the Pomodoro Technique. It’s like Time Blocking’s funky cousin. Work hard for 25 minutes, then break it down for a short breather. After four rounds of this, you earn yourself a longer break. It’s like a rhythm for your workday.

But here’s the deal: what works for me might not be your jam, and that’s totally cool. It’s trial and error, a bit of mix and match. So, embrace the experimentation and find your groove!
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#8. USE A DIGITAL DISTRIBUTOR

 

When you’re dropping your beats, don’t sleep on the digital game—it’s a must! Save yourself from the headache by riding with a digital distributor. They’re like your music distribution superheroes, flying your tunes to Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music without breaking a sweat.

And guess what? The money talk? They got you covered. No stress on collecting and dishing out the cash.

Plus, they throw in some dope analytics tools. Real-time data on your music’s vibe? Check. Use that intel to level up your marketing game.

Now, the digital distributor playground is big, but some musicians spilled the tea on the best players:

• Distrokid

Reasonable pricing, and you can upload to your heart’s content. Heads up though, once you pick a tier, there’s no going back. Cancel the subscription, and poof, your songs vanish—unless you drop 30 bucks per single for the “Leave a Legacy” option.

• CDBaby

Yeah, it might hit the wallet, but musicians swear it’s worth every dime. Gold standard vibes. Even after your subscription takes a nap, your song stays up partying on platforms.

• GYROstream

Broke but still want in? GYROstream’s got you covered. Customer service? Top-notch. Your songs? On platforms forever. Just be cool with them snagging 15% of your revenue – it’s the price of the free ride.

Related Article:

Indie Musicians: How To Find A Distributor

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#9. SET-UP PRE-SAVE CAMPAIGNS

 

Before you drop that album bomb, let’s talk strategy. You gotta whip up some serious buzz, and guess what? A pre-save campaign is your secret weapon.

Why? First off, it’s like a stress-buster for release day. Your album’s pre-saved by your fans, so no need to stress if they’ll remember to hit play. It’s in their streaming platform queue, ready to rock.

Plus, let’s talk visibility – the golden ticket on platforms like Spotify. Pre-saves amp up your numbers, and guess what? Algorithms notice. That means your album’s more likely to pop up in recommendations and playlists.

Now, let’s get to the nitty-gritty. Here’s your roadmap:

STEP 1:

Buzz up your distributor for those URLs on Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer.

STEP 2:

Roll over to smartURL, sign up for the free ride, and hit up that pre-save option.

STEP 3:

Assuming you’ve got your URLs you can paste them into the form.

STEP 4:

Hit save, and boom! You’re now the proud owner of a pre-save link.
+Create a Pre-Save For Spotify and Apple Music in 4 Steps

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#10. DO A PRE-ORDER BEFORE THE ACTUAL RELEASE

Let’s talk about another slick move to drop that release day stress – enter the world of pre-orders. This ain’t just a vibe; it’s a stress-busting strategy.

Check it: With pre-orders, you get the lowdown on exactly how many fans are riding the hype train for your merch and tunes. No guessing games, just straight-up numbers.

Now, here’s where it gets real good. You won’t be drowning in a sea of unsold vinyl, CDs, cassettes, and merch. Why? ‘Cause you only order what your fans are craving.

There’s no stress about leftovers, and guess what? Your wallet’s doing a happy dance ’cause no extras mean more savings.

But wait, there’s more. Take those pre-order numbers, use ’em as your baseline, and sprinkle in some extra copies. Why? ‘Cause you might have some latecomer fans who missed the pre-order memo. Hook ’em up, sell a few extra, spread the love.

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#11. CONSIDER PRINT-ON-DEMAND

Now let’s dive a bit deeper into the print-on-demand (POD) groove. So, here’s the deal – it’s like the chiller relative of pre-orders, and here’s why.

With pre-orders, you gotta set a deadline, take orders, and then kickstart the manufacturing party. But with POD, it’s a whole different vibe. The moment your fan hits that order button, bam! Your vinyl, CD, cassette tape, shirt, or cap gets the green light for production.

Here’s the sweet part. No upfront costs, no stockpiling – it’s a breeze. Your wallet stays content because you’re not shelling out cash before making a sale. And that worry about extra copies hanging around? Bye-bye stress.

Here’s the sweet part. No upfront costs, no stockpiling – it’s a breeze. Your wallet stays content because you’re not shelling out cash before making a sale. And that worry about extra copies hanging around? Bye-bye stress.
+5 Urgent Reasons Why Music Merch is Essential for Every Gigging Artist

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#12. UTILIZE THE FULFILLMENT SERVICE MANUFACTURERS OFFER

Shipping often flies under the radar when it comes to releasing physical products. However, a small misstep, and you might find yourself dealing with frustrated emails and fans asking for refunds.

This delay may push them to not buy again. This could mean a significant loss in revenue—hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Allow us to carry that burden for you. As we’ve mentioned, we’re one of those one-stop-shops so aside from having them manufactured through us, you can also have them shipped through us as well.

That would be neat right? No more worrying about the shipping, storage, and logistics! You will surely be able to focus all your energy on your release during the release day.

We’ve got this combo of print-on-demand and fulfillment services that you can use by choosing the “Direct to Customer” option. Here’s how you do it:

STEP 1:

Link up your store with our system. If you have a Shopify store, we can link it straight to our in-house fulfillment quicker than you can say “merch madness.”

STEP 2:

Once your orders roll in, our in-house shipping system gets the memo. All your vinyl and merch orders hanging out on your site? They seamlessly shimmy into our system. We grab the details – names, addresses, the whole deal.

STEP 3:

Hold on tight – within 2-3 days, we’re shipping those orders out. Boom! On the road to your fans, like magic.

STEP 4:

Customer service? We’ve got that covered too. It’s a big deal, we get it. We’re on it like sonic superheroes, aiming to respond within ONE hour. Plus, we’ve got nifty tech through our partners for real-time customer service wherever your fans are at.

So, it’s a win-win. You focus on the beats, we handle the logistics.

Check out our warehouse and fulfillment services

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#13. PREPARE AND SCHEDULE EVERYTHING BEFORE THE BIG DAY

Alright, you’re gearing up for the big day!

But hold up, gotta make sure the groundwork is solid before the spotlight hits. Check your promo materials – anything missing or playing hide-and-seek? Get ’em sorted.

And you know the deal, schedules are your new BFF. Check and double-check for conflicts, ’cause ain’t nobody got time for chaos. Sure, it might get a bit wild, but let’s keep the ship sailing smoothly.

Why? ‘Cause come D-day, stress and pressure are gonna be front and center. We’re talking peak levels. So, zero room for mistakes. It’s all about that flawless execution or risking a stress-induced tumble. Let’s keep it together!
+Top 5 Tips to Help Prepare You for a Live Performance

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#14. CREATE A BACKUP FOR EVERYTHING

Now let’s talk about your oh so precious files of songs, artwork, photographs, and lyrics. You will have to ensure that you have backups of these things or you’ll regret it.

Life’s full of surprises, and not always the good kind. So, prepare for the unexpected. Having backups of all your essential files is like your superhero move. When someone accidentally hits delete or plays hide-and-seek with your stuff, you’re ready to roll.

A suggestion: Don’t just settle for one backup – go for the backup squad. If something goes wonky with one, you’ve got the others swooping in to save the day.

No worries, just backups on backups.

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#15. CREATE A FOLDER FOR ALL YOUR ASSETS

Just like how you are centralizing everything for your schedules with a central hub, you also have to centralize every element of your release.

We’re talking about not just those files we chatted about earlier, but also tossing in your electronic press kit and all that jazz – all snug in a single folder.

I get it, it might seem like a bit of a chore, especially when you’re also playing the backup game. But trust me, this is your secret weapon. And if you haven’t kicked off your album release yet, now’s the time to start this groove.

Turn it into a habit – make a routine out of saving and tossing everything into your trusty assets folder. Future you will be giving a virtual high-five for keeping it all in check.

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As you’re getting ready to drop your album, just remember the journey matters as much as the big day.

So plan ahead, designate tasks, and use the hacks I’ve listed above.

If you need help with CD replication, vinyl pressing, and merch printing, we’re here!"

 

 

Related Blog Posts:

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+Musician's Guide to Marketing Plans

+Album Release Checklist - 7 Things You Must Do Before You Release an Album