This article provides record labels with a tool for scheduling the activities surrounding the production, promotion, distribution and release of a record. It is focused on independent dance music record labels and on singles/EP releases and is applicable to both vinyl/CD and digital download releases. If required the tool can also be adapted for the release of albums where lead times are generally longer.
It contains all the steps in the process of releasing a record, from selecting tracks for release to technical/administrative responsibilities, creative tasks, tastemaker promotions, pre-sale duties and on to marketing activities at the time of release.
By grouping each activity into an area with related tasks the Activity Planner offers an easy to follow step-by-step path which labels can use to schedule all the activities associated with releasing a record and set deadlines for each task. In addition, the planner allows for each task to be assigned to a specific person and allocated a budget.
It contains all the steps in the process of releasing a record, from selecting tracks for release to technical/administrative responsibilities, creative tasks, tastemaker promotions, pre-sale duties and on to marketing activities at the time of release.
By grouping each activity into an area with related tasks the Activity Planner offers an easy to follow step-by-step path which labels can use to schedule all the activities associated with releasing a record and set deadlines for each task. In addition, the planner allows for each task to be assigned to a specific person and allocated a budget.
Download for free
Download the Record Release Activity Planner template as a pdf.
Key Activities & Timescales
The following key activities and approximate timescales may assist when using the activity planner:
- Barcode/ISRC - 10 weeks before release (barcode - vinyl only)
- Artwork - 9 weeks before release
- Mastering & TPs - 9 weeks before release ( TPs - vinyl only)
- Tastemaker promo activities - 8 weeks before release
- Digi aggregator upload - 7 weeks before release
- Full run vinyl - 5 weeks before release (vinyl only)
- Digi stores (direct) upload - 5 weeks before release
- Sales notes to distributors - 4 weeks before release
- Sales notes to digi sites - 3 weeks before release
- Sales notes to shops - 3 weeks before release
- Public marketing - week of release and ongoing
Promotion & Marketing Activities
The activities surrounding providing sales notes to distributors/digi/sites/shops and marketing to the public are covered in more detail in our previous article “Using Tastemaker Feedback Effectively”.
For further information please visit http://www.kahua.co.uk/
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