The first launch is a mixture of excitement, nerves and a lot of decisions made on the fly. It is normal to make mistakes. But it is also true that some mistakes can cost you visibility, opportunities or simply frustration.
Here are 5 common mistakes artists make on their first release and how to avoid them with a simple and professional strategy.
1. Launching in haste (without prior planning)
Many artists finish the song and the next day they want it to be on Spotify. The problem is that there is no time to prepare a cover, pitch, content or strategy, the song gets lost among thousands of daily releases.
How to avoid it:
Set a realistic date and work at least 3 weeks in advance. Your future you will thank you for it.
2. Not having a professional cover
A good song with a lame cover is like a good movie with a lame poster. The cover not only attracts, it also communicates your visual universe.
How to avoid it:
Invest in a good image, look for references, align it with the style of the theme, and respects the technical requirements.
3. Tell no one
Releasing a song without announcing it, without context, without history, is like leaving a record in the middle of the desert. No one is going to come looking for it if you don't communicate it.
How to avoid it:
Talk about it before, during and after. Build anticipation, share processes, tell why you wrote it. Emotional connection is key.
4. Not taking advantage of the launch day
The premiere comes and... they just upload a story saying "now available". No supporting content, no plan, no follow up. The hype is gone in 24 hours.
How to avoid it:
Prepare specific content for the day of the premiere: a reel, a sentence, a fragment, a reaction. Mark the day in your community.
5. Measuring success by numbers alone
It's normal to look at the plays compulsively, but a song with few listens is not a failure whether it built community, positioned your aesthetic or opened doors for you.
How to avoid it:
Define your own goals before you launch. Sometimes the most valuable thing is not measured in plays, but in concrete steps towards your career.
Conclusion
All artists make mistakes in their first steps. The difference is in who learns from them and who repeats them. If you launch with intention, time and strategy, your first release can be the start of something serious.
