Pre-Save: The Ultimate Guide for Music Marketing and Social Media Campaigns
A Pre-Save is like a pre-order for streaming—fans click once to automatically save upcoming music to their library when it drops. It helps artists, brands, and creators build hype, boost first-day streams, and grow their audience.
What Is a Pre-Save?
A Pre-Save is a digital promise that lets fans save an upcoming song, album, or playlist to their streaming library before it’s officially released. Think of it as a pre-order on iTunes, but for platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer. Once the track goes live, it automatically appears in the fan’s library or playlist.
How Pre-Saves Work in Practice
1. An artist or brand creates a Pre-Save campaign link through a third-party service (e.g., Linkfire, Feature.fm, ToneDen).
2. Fans click the link and authorize access to their streaming account.
3. Behind the scenes, the campaign schedules the upcoming release to be added on release day.
Example: Sarah, an indie pop singer, teases her single on Instagram with a "Pre-Save Now" sticker. Fans tap, connect their Spotify account, and hours later, Sarah’s track lands in their library the moment it drops.
Why Pre-Saves Matter for Brands & Creators
- First-Day Streams: Algorithms notice high engagement on release day, pushing the track to playlists and "Discover Weekly."
- Audience Growth: Every authorization request is an opportunity to collect emails and social handles. You’re not just gaining streams—you’re building a fan database.
- Hype & Buzz: Pre-Saves create anticipation. Countdown posts, behind-the-scenes clips, and reminder emails keep your community engaged.
- Social Proof: Publicizing the number of Pre-Saves boosts credibility. When your fans see thousands of Pre-Saves, it signals that your release is unmissable.
Common Misconceptions & Variations
- It’s Not Fake Engagement: Unlike bots or pay-to-play schemes, Pre-Saves represent real fans who care enough to click and connect.
- Pre-Add vs. Pre-Save: Apple Music calls it "Pre-Add," but the goal is the same—get the release into libraries ahead of time.
- Not Just for Artists: Brands launching podcasts, playlists, or audio-led campaigns can use Pre-Saves to build an audience before launch.
Practical Tips for Your Pre-Save Campaign
- Start Early: Launch your Pre-Save 3–4 weeks before release. That gives you time to optimize, promote, and remind.
- Use Strong Visuals: Share cover art, short teaser videos, and countdown timers across social channels.
- Incentivize Fans: Offer exclusive content—behind-the-scenes videos, merch discounts, or a shout-out in your next track—to anyone who Pre-Saves.
- Leverage Influencers: Partner with micro-influencers in your niche to spread the link. Even a few shares can add hundreds of Pre-Saves.
- Follow Up: Once the track is live, send a thank-you email with a direct link to stream and add the song to playlists.
Pre-Save campaigns are a low-cost, high-impact way to ensure your next release hits the ground running. By building anticipation and capturing your audience early, you set yourself up for stronger first-day numbers and long-term growth.
