Record Labels
Pre-save campaigns for record labels
Pre-saves turn anticipation into action. When a fan pre-saves your release, it's automatically added to their library on release day, which signals the streaming platforms that people care about this music. For labels releasing regularly, pre-save campaigns are one of the best ways to boost first-week numbers consistently.
How pre-saves fit into a label's release strategy
A pre-save is a commitment. When someone pre-saves a track on Spotify or Apple Music, they're telling the platform "I want this." That signal matters for algorithmic playlists like Release Radar and New Music Friday. The more pre-saves a release collects, the stronger the signal. For labels, pre-saves should be part of every release cycle, not an afterthought. Start promoting the pre-save link three to four weeks before release day. Send it to your promo contacts alongside the audio, share it on social media, and include it in any press materials. The goal is to stack as many pre-saves as possible before the track goes live, so the algorithms pick it up immediately.
Combining promo sends with pre-save links
Promoly lets you include smartlinks in your promo campaigns. When you send a promo to DJs and journalists, include the pre-save link alongside the streaming player. This serves two purposes. First, the recipient hears the track in full. Second, they can pre-save it on their preferred platform right there. Many DJs and curators will pre-save a track they like even if they also download the promo for mixing. That doubles the value of every send. You're getting both direct engagement (plays, feedback, downloads) and platform engagement (pre-saves that feed the algorithm). Set up your smartlink to include all major platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Tidal. The more options you give people, the more pre-saves you'll collect.
Timing your pre-save push
Timing matters more than most labels realise. Send your first pre-save push three to four weeks before release. This is when you contact DJs, press, and curators with the full promo and the pre-save link. Two weeks out, send a reminder to anyone who opened but didn't engage. One week out, share the pre-save link more broadly on social media and in newsletters. The final 48 hours before release are your last chance to collect pre-saves. A short, direct email to your most engaged contacts with a "last chance to pre-save" message can pick up stragglers. After release day, switch the smartlink to point directly to the streaming pages so late visitors can still find the music.
Pre-Save Campaigns checklist for record labels
Create a smartlink for the release
Set up a Promoly smartlink that includes pre-save URLs for Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Tidal.
Upload promo tracks
Add your WAVs or MP3s to Promoly so recipients can stream the full release in-browser.
Include the pre-save link in your promo email
Add the smartlink prominently in your campaign. Make it easy to find, not buried at the bottom.
Send to DJs and curators first
Start with your most engaged contacts three to four weeks before release. They're most likely to pre-save and share.
Send to press and bloggers
Include the pre-save link in press materials so journalists can direct readers to it in their coverage.
Share on social media
Post the smartlink on your label's social channels two to three weeks before release.
Send a reminder to openers
Two weeks out, re-send to contacts who opened but didn't click the pre-save link.
Final push 48 hours before release
A short "last chance" email to your most active contacts can capture final pre-saves.
Switch smartlink post-release
After release day, update the smartlink to point to live streaming pages instead of pre-save URLs.
Review pre-save vs. stream data
Compare pre-save numbers to first-week streams. This tells you how well your pre-save campaigns convert.
Quick tips
Make pre-save the primary action
Don't bury the pre-save link below five paragraphs of text. Put it front and centre in your promo email, right after the player.
Use the artist's social reach too
Ask your artists to share the pre-save link from their own channels. Fans are more likely to pre-save when the ask comes from the artist directly.
Track which platforms convert best
If most of your pre-saves come from Spotify, prioritise that platform in future campaigns. Data from your smartlinks will show you the split.
Frequently asked questions
Can I include pre-save links in Promoly campaigns?
Yes. Add your smartlink (with pre-save URLs) to any promo campaign. It appears alongside the in-browser player so recipients can both listen and pre-save.
Do pre-saves actually affect algorithmic playlists?
Yes. Pre-saves signal demand to Spotify and Apple Music. Tracks with higher pre-save counts are more likely to appear in algorithmic playlists like Release Radar.
When should I start promoting pre-saves?
Three to four weeks before release day is ideal. This gives you time for multiple touchpoints: the initial promo send, a reminder, and a final push.
Can I see how many people clicked the pre-save link?
Promoly tracks link clicks within your campaigns. You'll see how many recipients clicked your smartlink, alongside your standard open, play, and download stats.
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