Distributors
Pre-save campaigns for distributors
You control the pipeline that makes pre-saves possible. As a distributor, you generate the pre-save links when a release is delivered to platforms. Helping your artists promote those links through Promoly turns a technical step into a strategic advantage.
Closing the gap between delivery and promotion
Most distributors deliver music and generate pre-save links, then leave it to the artist to figure out what to do with them. That's a missed opportunity. Many artists, especially independent ones, don't know how to promote a pre-save link effectively. They post it once on Instagram and hope for the best. By offering pre-save promotion guidance (or running campaigns on their behalf), you become more than a delivery service. You become a partner in the release's success. A Promoly smartlink makes the pre-save link usable. Instead of separate URLs for Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer, artists get one link that detects the listener's platform and routes them to the right place. Include this smartlink in promo campaigns to DJs, press, and curators alongside the audio.
Building pre-save campaigns into your distribution workflow
The ideal workflow looks like this. Artist delivers their release to you for distribution. You process it and generate pre-save links. Before the release goes live, you (or the artist) set up a Promoly campaign with the audio and the pre-save smartlink. The campaign goes out to DJs, curators, and press two to three weeks before release. This can be standardised. Create a pre-save campaign template that every artist on your roster can use. Include placeholder text they can customise, a checklist of contacts to target, and timing guidelines. The more you systemise this, the more artists will actually do it. Most artists skip pre-save promotion not because they don't care, but because they don't know how. Removing that uncertainty is where you add value.
Measuring the impact of pre-save promotion
Pre-saves are directly tied to first-week streaming performance. As a distributor, you have access to both sides of the equation: you know how many pre-saves a release collected (from your platform) and how many first-week streams it generated. Comparing these numbers across your roster reveals patterns. Artists who ran Promoly pre-save campaigns alongside their distribution consistently outperform those who didn't. That data becomes a selling point for your premium services and proof that the promotion layer works. Share anonymised benchmarks with your artists. "Artists who promote pre-saves through our system average 3x more first-week streams" is a compelling reason for every artist on your roster to adopt the workflow.
Pre-Save Campaigns checklist for distributors
Generate pre-save links early
Process releases so pre-save URLs are available three to four weeks before release day.
Create a pre-save promotion template
Give your artists a reusable Promoly campaign template with instructions.
Build a Promoly smartlink for each release
Combine Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer pre-save links into one URL.
Include the smartlink in promo campaigns
Send alongside the audio player so contacts can listen and pre-save in one go.
Guide artists on timing
Pre-save promotion should start two to three weeks before release, with a final push 48 hours before.
Track smartlink clicks
Promoly shows how many contacts clicked the pre-save link.
Compare pre-saves to first-week streams
Use your distribution data to measure the impact of pre-save campaigns.
Share benchmarks with your roster
Show artists how pre-save promotion affects streaming performance.
Quick tips
Automate where possible
If you can automatically generate a smartlink when a release is delivered, you remove a manual step that artists often skip.
Bundle pre-save promotion with premium tiers
Offer managed pre-save campaigns as part of a higher distribution tier. It adds value and justifies a higher price point.
Celebrate pre-save milestones
When an artist hits a pre-save milestone, share it on your channels. It motivates other artists to invest in promotion.
Frequently asked questions
Can I generate pre-save links before distribution is complete?
Pre-save links are typically available once the release is delivered to platforms. Process releases early to give artists maximum pre-save promotion time.
Should I run pre-save campaigns for my artists or let them do it?
Both options work. For premium clients, run campaigns on their behalf. For self-service artists, provide templates and guidance.
How do pre-saves affect first-week performance?
Pre-saves add the release to listeners' libraries on day one, generating immediate plays. This signals streaming platforms that the release has demand, which can trigger algorithmic playlist placements.
Do I need a separate Promoly account for pre-save promotion?
You can manage pre-save campaigns from a single Promoly account using sender profiles for each artist, or recommend artists sign up individually.
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