Dropping your song is just the beginning. The 30 days that follow largely determines the success of your music.
If you stop promoting too soon, your streams will fade into the background. But if you maintain engagement, streaming platforms will push your song to more listeners through algorithmic playlists like Spotify’s Discover Weekly and Release Radar.
Spotify and Apple Music track how listeners interact with your song, so the more people stream, save, and share your track, the higher the chances of it getting recommended to new listeners.
To keep your song growing, follow this data-backed 30-day plan.
Days 1–7: Maximize Early Listener Engagement
Streaming platforms measure early listener reactions to determine if your song is worth recommending to others. Your job in the first week is to generate as much engagement as possible. But how do you go about this?
1.First, optimize your streaming links everywhere
Many streams in the first week come from direct links. Ensure your Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube links are
- Pinned to your Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok bio
- Shared in your WhatsApp status and email signature
- Posted in music forums and fan groups
Use Linktree or Feature.fm to create a single landing page with all streaming options.
2. Stay visible by posting everyday.
Artists who post about their song daily for the first week keep their streams from declining too soon. Your content should encourage 3 things namely:
- Saves and shares (remind fans to add your track to their playlists)
- Reactions (post clips of fans vibing to your song)
- Conversations (engage with fans through polls and Q&As)
The good thing is that platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels reward consistency. So, posting a new video with your song daily increases your chances of going viral. Before you know, content creators pick it up and it becomes their go-to challenge sound.
3.Get on Playlists Fast
Playlists expose your song to thousands of listeners. Here’s how to increase your chances:
- Submit to Spotify editorial playlists at least 4 weeks before release
- Pitch to independent playlist curators via SubmitHub and PlaylistPush
- Ask fans to add your song to their personal playlists
Fireboy DML’s “Peru” gained traction through playlist placements before going viral. Even small playlist features can snowball into larger exposure.
Days 8–14: Keep Your Track Circulating
If you stop pushing after one week, your song is likely to fade. Keep momentum going by increasing engagement.
4. Create a TikTok & Instagram Trend
Songs that go viral on TikTok see a significant boost in streams. For example, CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” became a global hit after fans started a dance challenge. If you desire the same success, increase your chances this way:
- Start a simple challenge (lip-sync, reaction, or dance trend)
- Encourage fans to use your song in their videos
- Reach out to micro-influencers (1K–10K followers) to feature your track
TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes new videos daily, so don’t post multiple variations of your challenge.
5. Release Alternate Versions & Behind-the-Scenes Content
Artists who release additional content related to their song keep listeners engaged longer.
- Drop an acoustic version, slowed-down version, or remix
- Share a studio session clip or lyric breakdown video
- Post a live performance version
With this, your remains fresh, and listeners have new reasons to return.
6. Launch a Fan Engagement Challenge
Engaged fans are more likely to stream your song repeatedly.
- Host a streaming contest—reward the fan who streams the most
- Encourage user-generated content (ask fans to post videos using your song)
- Share fan stories and repost their content
More fan activity = More algorithmic push.
Days 15–30: Keep Your Release Alive & Expand Your Reach
The more engagement your song gets, the more likely it is to be featured on algorithmic playlists. Keep your track circulating. Continue with the following steps:
7. Drop a Music Video or Visualizer
Releasing a visual element keeps listeners engaged. Spotify reports that users who watch a music video after discovering a song are 34% more likely to stream it again the following week.
And that’s not all: Songs found through music videos are 24% more likely to be streamed or shared the next week.
So do these if you don’t have a big budget, create a lyric video or behind-the-scenes montage. Then encourage fans to react to the video and share clips. But by all means, release a visual for people to consume. It would do you a great streaming favor.
Example: Rema’s “Calm Down” gained massive attention after releasing a visualizer before dropping the full video.
8. Pitch to Blogs, Radio, and DJs
Songs featured on blogs and radio stations see higher organic streams. So do these:
- Submit your song to music blogs
- Get your track played on local and online radio stations
- Reach out to DJs on Instagram and SoundCloud—they often curate playlists
Joeboy’s “Baby” was first pushed through blogs and radio before hitting the charts.
9. Run Targeted Ads to Boost Streams
Paid promotion can expand your reach.
- Target fans of similar artists
- Test different ad styles (behind-the-scenes, user-generated content)
- Use Spotify’s Marquee feature to retarget listeners who streamed your song before
In many cases, what separates artists who blow up from those who don’t is the zeal to put in the work to promote their music. Good music won’t listen to itself, it has to be conveyed to people’s ears through deliberately planned efforts.
Dropping your song is just the beginning. The 30 days that follow largely determines the success of your music.
If you stop promoting too soon, your streams will fade into the background. But if you maintain engagement, streaming platforms will push your song to more listeners through algorithmic playlists like Spotify’s Discover Weekly and Release Radar.
Spotify and Apple Music track how listeners interact with your song, so the more people stream, save, and share your track, the higher the chances of it getting recommended to new listeners.
To keep your song growing, follow this data-backed 30-day plan.
Days 1–7: Maximize Early Listener Engagement
Streaming platforms measure early listener reactions to determine if your song is worth recommending to others. Your job in the first week is to generate as much engagement as possible. But how do you go about this?
1. First, optimize your streaming links everywhere
Many streams in the first week come from direct links. Ensure your Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube links are
- Pinned to your Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok bio
- Shared in your WhatsApp status and email signature
- Posted in music forums and fan groups
Use Linktree or Feature.fm to create a single landing page with all streaming options.
2. Stay visible by posting everyday.
Artists who post about their song daily for the first week keep their streams from declining too soon. Your content should encourage 3 things namely:
- Saves and shares (remind fans to add your track to their playlists)
- Reactions (post clips of fans vibing to your song)
- Conversations (engage with fans through polls and Q&As)
The good thing is that platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels reward consistency. So, posting a new video with your song daily increases your chances of going viral. Before you know, content creators pick it up and it becomes their go-to challenge sound.
3. Get on Playlists Fast
Playlists expose your song to thousands of listeners. Here’s how to increase your chances:
- Submit to Spotify editorial playlists at least 4 weeks before release
- Pitch to independent playlist curators via SubmitHub and PlaylistPush
- Ask fans to add your song to their personal playlists
Fireboy DML’s “Peru” gained traction through playlist placements before going viral. Even small playlist features can snowball into larger exposure.
Days 8–14: Keep Your Track Circulating
If you stop pushing after one week, your song is likely to fade. Keep momentum going by increasing engagement.
4. Create a TikTok & Instagram Trend
Songs that go viral on TikTok see a significant boost in streams. For example, CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” became a global hit after fans started a dance challenge. If you desire the same success, increase your chances this way:
- Start a simple challenge (lip-sync, reaction, or dance trend)
- Encourage fans to use your song in their videos
- Reach out to micro-influencers (1K–10K followers) to feature your track
TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes new videos daily, so don’t post multiple variations of your challenge.
5. Release Alternate Versions & Behind-the-Scenes Content
Artists who release additional content related to their song keep listeners engaged longer.
- Drop an acoustic version, slowed-down version, or remix
- Share a studio session clip or lyric breakdown video
- Post a live performance version
With this, your remains fresh, and listeners have new reasons to return.
6. Launch a Fan Engagement Challenge
Engaged fans are more likely to stream your song repeatedly.
- Host a streaming contest—reward the fan who streams the most
- Encourage user-generated content (ask fans to post videos using your song)
- Share fan stories and repost their content
More fan activity = More algorithmic push.
Days 15–30: Keep Your Release Alive & Expand Your Reach
The more engagement your song gets, the more likely it is to be featured on algorithmic playlists. Keep your track circulating. Continue with the following steps:
7. Drop a Music Video or Visualizer
Releasing a visual element keeps listeners engaged. Spotify reports that users who watch a music video after discovering a song are 34% more likely to stream it again the following week.
And that’s not all: Songs found through music videos are 24% more likely to be streamed or shared the next week.
So do these if you don’t have a big budget, create a lyric video or behind-the-scenes montage. Then encourage fans to react to the video and share clips. But by all means, release a visual for people to consume. It would do you a great streaming favor.
Example: Rema’s “Calm Down” gained massive attention after releasing a visualizer before dropping the full video.
8. Pitch to Blogs, Radio, and DJs
Songs featured on blogs and radio stations see higher organic streams. So do these:
- Submit your song to music blogs
- Get your track played on local and online radio stations
- Reach out to DJs on Instagram and SoundCloud—they often curate playlists
Joeboy’s “Baby” was first pushed through blogs and radio before hitting the charts.
9. Run Targeted Ads to Boost Streams
Paid promotion can expand your reach.
- Target fans of similar artists
- Test different ad styles (behind-the-scenes, user-generated content)
- Use Spotify’s Marquee feature to retarget listeners who streamed your song before
In many cases, what separates artists who blow up from those who don’t is the zeal to put in the work to promote their music. Good music won’t listen to itself, it has to be conveyed to people’s ears through deliberately planned efforts.
