Why Week 1 Matters (And How to Crush It)

Written By Jon Gilman

Spotify is watching. In the first 7 days of a release, it tracks data like:

  • Plays

  • Saves

  • Shares

  • Playlist adds

If your song lights up, the algorithm kicks in — and boom: Discover Weekly, Radio, and other algorithmic playlists that match your vibe. That’s how you get lasting streams.

Here’s how to spark the fire:

  1. Run a presave campaign. Start building momentum early. Fans who presave will have your music in their library from the second it hits airwaves

  2. Run ads. Reach new fans while attention is high, in a strategic targeted way

  3. Playlist campaign. Land on as many as you can. Reach thousands of listeners

  4. Email + DM your people. Don’t hope they hear it — make sure they do. These are your biggest supporters, people who have opted in and clicked "follow"

Look at JVKE: short-form content every day, ads, presaves, even fan texts. His rollouts are surgical. 16MM monthly listeners? The results speak for themselves.

Drop smart. Week 1 is the algorithm test.

Jon Gilman
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