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A well-executed pre-save campaign can mean the difference between a song that lands on algorithmic playlists and one that disappears into the void. According to Spotify's own data, tracks with strong first-week performance are significantly more likely to be picked up by Release Radar and Discover Weekly. Pre-saves are one of the most effective ways to guarantee those early streams.

This guide is part of our comprehensive coverage on music marketing strategy and release planning. After helping hundreds of independent artists plan their releases through our streaming royalty calculator, we have seen firsthand how pre-save campaigns directly affect release-week performance. Here is everything you need to know to set one up properly.

What Is a Pre-Save Campaign?

A pre-save is the streaming equivalent of a pre-order. When a listener pre-saves your upcoming release on Spotify, Apple Music, or another platform, the song is automatically added to their library the moment it goes live. This creates an instant spike in saves and streams on release day, which signals to streaming algorithms that your track deserves attention.

Why Pre-Saves Matter for Independent Artists

Pre-saves serve three critical functions:

Algorithmic boost – Platforms like Spotify weigh early engagement heavily. A surge of saves and streams in the first 24 to 48 hours tells the algorithm your music is worth recommending.
Audience commitment – A fan who pre-saves has made a small but meaningful commitment. They are far more likely to listen, share, and engage with your release.
Data collection – Most pre-save platforms let you collect email addresses, giving you a direct marketing channel that does not depend on social media algorithms.

Industry data from Chartmetric shows that independent releases with organized pre-save campaigns see an average of 30 to 40 percent more first-week streams compared to releases without them.

Choosing the Right Pre-Save Platform

Several platforms offer pre-save functionality, each with different features and pricing.

DistroKid HyperFollow

DistroKid's built-in tool creates a landing page for your release that supports pre-saves across Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. It is free for DistroKid users and automatically generates links once you upload your track.

Pros: Free, automatic setup, clean interface

Cons: Limited customization, no email collection on the free tier

Feature.fm

Feature.fm is a dedicated music marketing platform with robust pre-save tools. It offers smart links, fan engagement features, and detailed analytics.

Pros: Email collection, retargeting pixels, A/B testing, detailed analytics

Cons: Paid plans start around $19 per month

ToneDen

Now part of the Spotify advertising ecosystem, ToneDen offers pre-save campaigns with social media integration and automated follow-up messaging.

Pros: Spotify integration, social unlocks, automated messaging

Cons: Can be complex to set up, pricing varies

Linkfire

Linkfire provides professional smart links and pre-save pages used by major labels and independent artists alike.

Pros: Professional analytics, custom domains, label-grade features

Cons: Higher price point, more suited for artists with existing audiences

Setting Up Your Pre-Save Campaign Step by Step

Step 1: Upload Your Track Early

Most distributors require you to upload your release at least two to four weeks before the release date. DistroKid recommends uploading at least seven days ahead, but for a proper pre-save campaign, aim for three to four weeks of lead time.

This gives you enough time to build momentum. If you are choosing a release date, consider checking our guide on the best months to release music to maximize your impact.

Step 2: Create Your Pre-Save Link

Once your track is uploaded and scheduled, set up your pre-save link through your chosen platform. Make sure to:

Include all major streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer)
Add your social media links
Enable email collection if your platform supports it
Customize the landing page with your cover art and a compelling description

Step 3: Set Up Your Landing Page

Your pre-save landing page is your conversion tool. Keep it focused and distraction-free:

Headline: Clear and direct. "Pre-Save My New Single" works better than something overly clever.
Cover art: Use high-quality artwork that matches your brand.
Release date: Make the date visible so fans know when to expect the music.
Call to action: One clear button. Do not clutter the page with competing links.

Step 4: Prepare Your Promotion Assets

Before you start promoting, create all the content you will need:

Instagram Stories and Reels with the pre-save link
TikTok teasers with snippets of the track
Email announcement for your mailing list
Twitter/X posts with engaging copy
Behind-the-scenes content about the making of the track

Promoting Your Pre-Save Campaign

Social Media Strategy

Your social media promotion should follow a structured timeline:

Weeks 3 to 4 before release: Tease the upcoming release. Share behind-the-scenes studio content, cover art reveals, or short audio snippets. Build curiosity without giving too much away.

Weeks 1 to 2 before release: Launch the pre-save link. Post it on every platform, pin it to your profiles, and add it to your bio links. Share the link in Instagram Stories with a swipe-up or link sticker.

Release week: Ramp up urgency. Remind followers daily that the release is coming. Share countdown stickers, go live to talk about the song, and thank fans who have already pre-saved.

Email Marketing

Email remains one of the highest-converting channels for pre-saves. If you have an email list, send a dedicated announcement:

Subject line: Keep it personal and direct. "My new single drops January 30 – pre-save it now" outperforms "Exciting news!"
Body: Share the story behind the song. Why did you write it? What does it mean to you? Then include a clear pre-save button.
Follow-up: Send a reminder email three days before release with a different angle or a new snippet of the track.

Collaborations and Cross-Promotion

Reach out to other artists, playlist curators, and music bloggers:

Ask featured artists or collaborators to share the pre-save link with their audiences
Connect with playlist curators on SubmitHub and pitch the track early
Partner with music blogs for premiere features

Conversion Optimization Tips

Getting clicks on your pre-save link is only half the battle. Here is how to improve your conversion rate:

Reduce friction: Every extra step between clicking the link and completing the pre-save costs you conversions. Choose platforms with one-click pre-save functionality.
Use social proof: Share your pre-save count as it grows. "500 fans have already pre-saved" creates urgency and encourages others to join in.
Offer incentives: Some artists offer exclusive content like acoustic versions, behind-the-scenes footage, or early access to merch for fans who pre-save and share proof.
Optimize for mobile: Over 80 percent of social media traffic comes from mobile devices. Make sure your pre-save page loads fast and works smoothly on phones.
Test different messaging: Try different calls to action across platforms. "Be the first to hear it" might work better on Instagram, while "Add it to your library now" could perform better in emails.

Measuring Your Campaign Success

Track these key metrics throughout your pre-save campaign:

Pre-save count: Your primary metric. Compare it against your previous releases to gauge growth.
Email signups: If you are collecting emails, this is a secondary win even if the stream numbers do not spike immediately.
Link click-through rate: How many people click your link versus how many actually pre-save? Low conversion might mean your landing page needs work.
First-week streams: The ultimate measure. Compare your release with and without a pre-save campaign.

After your release, use our streaming royalty calculator to estimate your earnings from those first-week streams and plan your target stream goals for the next release.

Common Pre-Save Mistakes to Avoid

Starting too late: If you launch your pre-save link three days before release, you have missed most of your promotional window. Aim for three to four weeks minimum.
Ignoring email collection: Pre-saves are great, but email addresses last forever. Always enable email collection when your platform supports it.
Only posting once: One social media post about your pre-save will not cut it. Plan multiple touchpoints across different formats (stories, reels, posts, lives).
Forgetting the follow-up: After release day, thank everyone who pre-saved. Share your first-week numbers. This builds loyalty and trains fans to pre-save your next release too.
Skipping the story: Fans pre-save because they care about you, not just your music. Share the personal story behind the track to create emotional investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many pre-saves do I need for my song to get on Release Radar?

Release Radar is personalized. Every fan who follows you on Spotify or pre-saves your track will likely see it in their Release Radar. The more pre-saves you collect, the stronger the signal to Spotify's algorithm that your track deserves broader recommendation. Use our streaming royalty calculator to estimate what those streams could earn you.

Q: Do pre-saves count as streams?

Pre-saves themselves do not generate streams or royalties. However, when the track goes live and pre-savers listen, those plays count as regular streams. The value of pre-saves is in guaranteeing early engagement.

Q: Can I run a pre-save campaign if I use TuneCore or CD Baby instead of DistroKid?

Yes. While DistroKid has HyperFollow built in, you can use third-party platforms like Feature.fm, ToneDen, or Linkfire with any distributor. You just need your Spotify URI or ISRC code to set it up. Compare distributors in our DistroKid guide.

Q: Should I run pre-save campaigns for singles, EPs, and albums?

Pre-save campaigns work for all release formats, but they are most effective for singles and lead singles from larger projects. For EPs and albums, focus the pre-save push on the lead single or the full project, not both simultaneously.

Q: How do I track my pre-save numbers?

Most pre-save platforms provide dashboards with real-time data. Feature.fm and Linkfire offer particularly detailed analytics, including geographic breakdowns and conversion rates.

Q: Is it worth paying for a pre-save platform?

If you are serious about building a sustainable music career, yes. The email collection and analytics features of paid platforms like Feature.fm pay for themselves quickly. If you are just starting out, DistroKid's free HyperFollow is a solid starting point.

Start Building Your Pre-Save Strategy

Pre-save campaigns are not just a nice-to-have anymore. They are a core part of any effective release strategy. The artists who consistently build anticipation before release day are the ones who see their music land on algorithmic playlists and grow their listener base over time.

The most important thing is to start early, promote consistently, and collect those email addresses along the way. Even if your first campaign only gets 50 pre-saves, that is 50 guaranteed day-one listeners who are invested in your music.

Next Steps:

Plan your release timing to maximize your campaign window
Calculate your potential streaming earnings to set realistic goals
Learn how to pitch to Spotify playlists to amplify your pre-save momentum

What Is a Pre-Save Campaign?

Why Pre-Saves Matter for Independent Artists

Pre-saves serve three critical functions:

Algorithmic boost – Platforms like Spotify weigh early engagement heavily. A surge of saves and streams in the first 24 to 48 hours tells the algorithm your music is worth recommending.
Audience commitment – A fan who pre-saves has made a small but meaningful commitment. They are far more likely to listen, share, and engage with your release.
Data collection – Most pre-save platforms let you collect email addresses, giving you a direct marketing channel that does not depend on social media algorithms.

Industry data from Chartmetric shows that independent releases with organized pre-save campaigns see an average of 30 to 40 percent more first-week streams compared to releases without them.