Releasing a single is a great way for growing your fan base and establishing yourself within the music industry. However, there are numerous factors you should consider before releasing a single and it is ideal to have a strategy when it comes to releasing singles. This is so that you can maximize viewership and ensure that your music is properly amplified and reaches the correct audience. Here are several steps to releasing a single.
Visuals and Artwork
Having eye-catching and good visuals is important in attracting fans and ensuring that your music looks like a professional cover. The artwork also represents your brand and music. Thus, it should accurately reflect your music style and the message you wish to portray.
Having good visuals and artwork also aids in the marketing and promotion of your music. Before releasing a single, it is important to create suitable visuals such as posters, artwork, CD covers, and collaterals as these will make the release of your single and the message so much more impactful. It would be wise to engage a graphic designer or professional artist to design good visuals and artwork for your singles.
You could also promote your single through having additional content such as videos, which you can release at frequent intervals leading up to the release date to hype up your fanbase and keep them constantly updated on the progress of your release.
Whatever visuals, artwork, and additional video you choose to do, you should make sure that these help to complement your single and are consistent with your brand. Do not produce visuals and artwork that are too distracting or videos that will distract your listeners and followers from your release.
Good Mix
Before releasing your single, you want to make sure that it sounds as good as possible. This could either be done through recording with proper equipment or at a studio. All good songs also have a great mix and master and it would also be recommended that you engage a mix engineer to help mix the instrumental with your vocals and polish the sound. The mix engineer can also help to put the finishing touches in your song and ensure that it sounds the best.
Registration
Before releasing your single, you should also obtain the necessary licenses to protect your work and collect revenue or copyright fees if others intend to use your work. If you wrote your single with other co-writers or engaged the help of professional artists, mixers, or engineers to help in your music, you should also consider acknowledging them and making sure that they are included in the credits.
Ensure that any legal rights or matters are properly settled before the release of the song so that this will not complicate matters or worse still, result in your song being taken back after it has been released.
You want to make sure that your song is registered with performing rights organizations, SoundExchange, and the United States Copyright Office to protect your work. This also helps to prevent other organizations or individuals from misusing your music and works for their benefit.