Making and Planning Your Album-Checklist
By Randy Chertkow & Jason Feehan
Below is a checklist to help organize all the things that go into making an album from beginning to end. Obviously, you don't need to do everything that's listed below, but the goal here is to list out everything as a reminder of some of the items you may want to tackle and when.
Making The Album
Pre-Recording
Write or choose the songs you wish to record
Rehearse and/or arrange the songs
Choose to record at home or at a recording studio
Recording
Record the songs
Make mixes, get feedback, make decisions on what to change/add/re-record
Make final mixes
Mastering
Choose mastering studio or service
Decide on the amount of "space" between songs
Decide final album song order
Master the album
Legal (Part I)
Document who owns the copyright in the song if original
Document who owns the sound recording if origioal (the masters)
Clear the legal status of all non-original work - cover songs, samples, and loops
Clear the legal status of all non-original artwork used on the album
Clear the legal status of all non-original text (i.e. printed lyrics to a cover song needs separate license/permission grant, printed lyrics to origiona song needs songwriters permission)
Get permission for guest musicians (if needed)
Register original songs at a Performance Rights Organization (PRO) to ensure perfromance royalties
Picking the CD Printing House
Decide on a CD printing house
Determine CD run/cost/etc.
Determine formats required for album art and text, CD art and text, etc., and put the CD info into this format
Decide on type of packaging (jewel case, sleeve, etc.) and what type of booklet (1 panel, 2 panel, multi-panel)
Get artwork design templates from the CD printing house or use their online design services
Artwork Design
Name the album
Get UPC barcode if incorporated into your artwork (the printing house may provide, but also services like CDBaby sell as well)
Work on artwork depending on packaging:
- cover
- traycard
- ondisc
- liner notes (discussed below)
Liner Notes - Must Haves
Copyright and publishing information/notices for:
- music (original or covers)
- artwork
- text
Performance Rights Organization the songs are registered to (if applicable)
Track listing
Your website
How you can be contacted
Liner Notes - Optional
Band Name
Album Title
Where it was recorded
When it was recorded
Where it was mastered
Who played what
Running times for songs
Guest musicians
Other albums for sale
Song notes
Lyrics
Thank yous
CD Replication/Duplication
Proof artwork
Sign copyright release & grant approval
Send Mastered Album with art info to Replicator (leave time for shipping, etc.) and/or upload through Printing Houses' website
Preparing For The Album Release
Prepare for Online Sales
Pick your CD and online sales distributor and sign up
Fill in relevant details about the album and songs through the distributors website in preparation of CD
Upload artwork
Prepare Audio for Promotion
Make MP3s from mastered WAVs
Tag and name MP3s correctly (add album art, ID3 tags, etc.)
Plan & Start the Publicity Campaign
Plan PR campaign
Prepare PR docs such as press releases
Update the band "resume", fact sheets, and other PR documents with the new album information
Make online/offline press kits for album review submissions
Compile list of album review sites
Compile list of blogs, podcasts, and websites
Inquire about submission guidelines or reach out to blogger, podcaster, website owner
Reach out, send, and keep track of albums sent for submission
Follow up with all review sites
If reviews come in, update the album press release and website with review quotes and clippings
Update Your Website (Part I)
Update the band website to feature the new album and announce upcoming album
Update blog
Reach out and share pre-release with fans
Add songs to your audio player
Update Your Web Presence (Part I)
Update websites you maintain web presence on (MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and announce upcoming album
Reach out and share pre-release with fans
Additional Promotion & Support
Do a contest
Make a video
Partner with a blog, podcast, or website
Get Heard
Compile list of radio shows, podcasts, music blogs
Determine and inquiry about rules of submission
Submit CD or MP3s
The Album Release
Submit for Online Sales
Send CD/upload to your CD and online sales distributor
Choose digital music stores you want your music in (recommended: all)
Legal (Part II)
Register CD with Copyright Office (if applicable in your country)
Official Album Release Show/Listening Party
Determine venue for CD release show or listening party
Schedule CD release show (provide buffer as to when the CD shipment arrives)
Write CD release party press release
Send press release to press regarding party at least 1 month in advance (3 is best!)
Send announcement to fan mailing list regarding party/new CD release
Update band website with CD Release party and feature new CD on site.
Tour to Support
Plan tour (local, concentric circles, or go-where-the-fans-are)
Update Your Website (Part II)
Update the band website to announce album is out and where it can be bought
Thank those who helped and cross-promote
Ask fans to spread the word Post any album reviews
Update Your Web Presence (Part II)
Update websites you maintain presences on to announce album is out and where it can be bought
Thank those who helped and cross-promote
Ask fans to spread the word
Repeat!