🎶 How to Execute a Waterfall Release Strategy?

Maximize your musical visibility with Wiseband's waterfall release strategy

📖 Introduction

In today's digital music landscape, how an artist chooses to unveil their latest work can be decisive for the success of their project.

If you're looking for an innovative and effective approach, the waterfall release strategy could well be the key to increasing your music's visibility.

In this article, we'll explore this strategy in detail, highlight its advantages, and explain how to implement it to propel your musical career.

💡 Understanding the Waterfall Release Strategy

The waterfall release strategy involves publishing several singles successively, each incorporating previously released tracks, until forming a complete EP or album.

Unlike releasing independent singles, this method creates a cohesive whole over time.

Concrete example:

• The group The Chainsmokers pioneered this with the Sick Boy album: one single each month in 2018 (except May and June), creating constant anticipation until the full release in December.

🛠 Implementing the Strategy

Artist Phoebe Bridgers applied this strategy for Punisher (2020):

Each new single led to increased streams of already published tracks, creating a snowball effect.

Other artists, like Cassie Raptor, COLORÉ, or LUZ, use this method before their launches, thus optimizing performance on Spotify and other platforms.

🚀 Strategy Advantages

1. Avoiding Quiet Periods With over 100,000 new songs/day on Spotify, staying visible is a challenge. This strategy maintains a regular flow of new releases.
2. Optimizing Spotify's Algorithm Promotes integration into algorithmic playlists (Release Radar, Discover Weekly).
3. Multiplying Playlist Opportunities Each single is pitched individually, increasing inclusion chances.
4. Increasing Your Revenue More visibility → more streams → potentially more revenue.

🖥 Technical Implementation with Wiseband

Release #1: "Song Title #1"

• Product: Single
• Solo release of the first single.

Tracklist:

1. Song #1

Release #2: "Song Title #2"

• Product: EP
• Includes the new single + the previous one.

Tracklist:

1. Song #2 (new)
2. Song #1 (original ISRC code)

Release #3: "Song Title #3"

• Product: EP
• Includes the new single + the two previous ones.

Tracklist:

1. Song #3 (new)
2. Song #2 (original ISRC code)
3. Song #1 (original ISRC code)

⚠️ Important: When integrating tracks already online into a new product, use exactly the same metadata, audio files, and ISRC codes. Only the UPC/EAN barcode should change.

🔧 Important Technical Tips

• Respect track order from the start (non-modifiable after distribution).
• Use the new single's title as the overall product title.
• Identical ISRC codes for each track, different UPC/EAN barcodes for each release.

📈 Complementary Strategies

• Create videos and live sessions for each single.
• Collaborate with other artists (features).
• Mobilize your community and launch social media campaigns.
• Add your lyrics on Musixmatch and Canvas on Spotify.
• Use Wiseband's promotion service to reach media and playlists.

🎯 Conclusion

With over 100,000 tracks published daily, the waterfall release strategy is an effective weapon for standing out.

Spotify encourages this approach, offering independent artists an exponential growth opportunity.

By carefully planning your releases with Wiseband, you can fully exploit this strategy to:

• Increase your fanbase
• Attract attention from music industry professionals

📚 To Go Further

• 3 successful strategies for independent artists
• Releasing your music as an independent artist
• Vinyl record release

Start now with Wiseband!

Updated on: 09/09/2025