{"id":2059,"date":"2021-02-11T04:00:27","date_gmt":"2021-02-11T04:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/11\/7-kinds-of-singles-you-should-be-releasing-in-2021\/"},"modified":"2021-02-11T04:00:27","modified_gmt":"2021-02-11T04:00:27","slug":"7-kinds-of-singles-you-should-be-releasing-in-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/11\/7-kinds-of-singles-you-should-be-releasing-in-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"7 kinds of singles you should be releasing in 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/11\/7-kinds-of-singles-you-should-be-releasing-in-2021\/#Frequently_releasing_single_songs_might_be_easier_than_you_think\" >Frequently releasing single songs might be easier than you think.<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/11\/7-kinds-of-singles-you-should-be-releasing-in-2021\/#Here_are_seven_kinds_of_singles_you_can_release_and_how_to_use_them\" >Here are seven kinds of singles you can release, and how to use them:<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/11\/7-kinds-of-singles-you-should-be-releasing-in-2021\/#The_lead_single\" >The lead single<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/11\/7-kinds-of-singles-you-should-be-releasing-in-2021\/#The_follow-up_single\" >The follow-up single<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/11\/7-kinds-of-singles-you-should-be-releasing-in-2021\/#The_unreleased_studio_track\" >The unreleased studio track<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/11\/7-kinds-of-singles-you-should-be-releasing-in-2021\/#Authorized_remixes\" >Authorized remixes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/11\/7-kinds-of-singles-you-should-be-releasing-in-2021\/#Acoustic_mixes\" >Acoustic mixes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/11\/7-kinds-of-singles-you-should-be-releasing-in-2021\/#Demos_and_live_versions\" >Demos and live versions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/11\/7-kinds-of-singles-you-should-be-releasing-in-2021\/#Cover_songs\" >Cover songs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_releasing_single_songs_might_be_easier_than_you_think\"><\/span>Frequently releasing single songs might be easier than you think.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span>We\u2019re living in the age of singles. As music streaming has grown in popularity over the past decade, it\u2019s taken the single-song format along for the ride. While a full-length album shows you\u2019re serious about your music, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/why-musicians-must-put-out-a-single-first\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>the digital single<\/span><\/a><span> is an indispensable tool in an artist\u2019s belt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Singles are especially useful for new artists, when potential fans have the choice between a 45-minute album smorgasbord or a 3-minute appetizer. When they just want to find out what you\u2019re all about, they\u2019re going for the bite-size sample nine times out of ten.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/10-strategies-for-releasing-a-single\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>But there are many more ways to release a single<\/span><\/a><span> than just putting your best foot forward in advance of a new album. And there are more reasons for releasing singles too. The big one? Streaming platforms reward artists who consistently release new music.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Don\u2019t wait a year or two between releases. The more frequently you put out new music, the better your chances of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-promotion\/submit-a-song-directly-for-spotify-playlist-consideration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>landing on an editorial playlist on a platform like Spotify<\/span><\/a><span>, as well as algorithmic playlists such as Release Radar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Launching singles at a steady clip also gives you more opportunities to connect with your existing audience, so you don\u2019t lose momentum on streaming platforms (who reward dependability).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\">\n<div class=\"iframe-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Here_are_seven_kinds_of_singles_you_can_release_and_how_to_use_them\"><\/span>Here are seven kinds of singles you can release, and how to use them:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_lead_single\"><\/span><span>The lead single<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>Yes, we just got done telling you there are plenty of OTHER types of singles to release, but this is still the big one. You\u2019ve just finished recording, mixing, and mastering your new full-length album, maybe even your <\/span><i><span>first<\/span><\/i><span> album. Pick a song from the album you love. Sure, sure, songs are like kids and you can\u2019t play favorites, but you know there\u2019s one song on your album you secretly love more than the others. Or at least one you know your target audience will love more than the others. Pick that one. Release it on its own with some <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/releasing-music\/common-cover-art-mistakes-that-will-get-your-music-removed-from-streaming-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>cool cover art<\/span><\/a><span> that\u2019s different from what\u2019s on your album. Hit your potential fans with that first taste and make \u2019em want to come back for more.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_follow-up_single\"><\/span><span>The follow-up single<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>And here\u2019s where you bring \u2018em back for more. The follow-up single could either be your second favorite song from your album (you know you have one, too), or it could be a song that sounds a bit different from the lead single. If your lead-off single is a total banger, maybe choose a more relaxed and dynamic song for your second single. This shows listeners a different side of your artistry. Who doesn\u2019t love some variety in their favorite artist\u2019s catalog? Or you could just put out a second banger and knock \u2019em dead outright.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Sidenote: If you don\u2019t have a finished album from which to choose your lead and follow-up singles, you can also work in reverse. Record and release singles as you finish them, then gather them together later as an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/releasing-music\/what-is-an-ep\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>EP<\/span><\/a><span> or LP.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_unreleased_studio_track\"><\/span><span>The unreleased studio track<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>Let\u2019s say 10 songs made the final cut for your album. That doesn\u2019t mean there weren\u2019t a few extras that didn\u2019t <\/span><i><span>quite<\/span><\/i><span> fit in the sequencing. Pick your favorite non-album studio track and release it a few months after your album is out. This not only helps you maintain release momentum, but it\u2019s also a cheap way to release new (to your fans) music that simultaneously refers back to a previous release you\u2019re still promoting. The unreleased track was already lying on the cutting room floor, mixed and maybe even mastered, ready to go. Why not put it out?<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Authorized_remixes\"><\/span><span>Authorized remixes<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/music-career\/6-things-you-should-do-before-you-finish-your-recording-session\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>In another article we recommended you make \u201cstem\u201d tracks of your songs.<\/span><\/a><span> This is why: remixes. When you group the individual instrumental and vocal tracks of your songs into stems, it makes it more appealing to remixers. And remixing is a good thing. An authorized remix by a legitimate DJ or electronic artist can raise your profile beyond your own fanbase. Electronic artists have their own group of fans who love creative takes on songs, even ones they\u2019ve never heard before. If they enjoy the remix the artist posted to their channels, chances are they\u2019ll track down the original on your page and listen to hear how it compares. Streams all around!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Not into remixes? Any kind of collaboration with another songwriter or artist will help you reach new audiences. So maybe work on something with a featured guest artist or even a track with another <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/releasing-music\/how-to-format-artist-name-correctly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>primary artist<\/span><\/a><span>. Just make sure to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/releasing-music\/why-you-cant-afford-to-get-your-music-metadata-wrong\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>format your metadata correctly!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Acoustic_mixes\"><\/span><span>Acoustic mixes<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>Fans love when their favorite artists are multifaceted. Heck, Taylor Swift just went from pop megastar to brooding singer-songwriter in one album. If she can record an hour\u2019s worth of subdued acoustic songs, you can surely record an alternate version of your big single with all the electronic instruments stripped away. There\u2019s a reason MTV\u2019s Unplugged series is so popular: we enjoy hearing songs we love in new ways. An acoustic mix sheds new light on areas of your composition and arrangement that distortion can often, um, distort. And if acoustic\u2019s not your jam, try another type of alternate take. Maybe make it all drum and bass to showcase the oft-overlooked rhythm section?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>No time to record an alternate version? Adjust the tracks in your existing mix. Tweak the levels. Mute some stuff. Play around with what you already have, and suddenly your recording session could yield two unique but solid songs.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Demos_and_live_versions\"><\/span><span>Demos and live versions<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>Who doesn\u2019t enjoy a song that\u2019s a little rough around the edges? True music fans love the creative process and the lead-up to the finished product as much as the final version itself. Put out a demo version of one of your previously released singles and give listeners a peak behind the curtains.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Not quite comfortable with something that stripped down? Put out a live version instead. Live recordings capture the spontaneity of a live gig for those at home. Just make sure it\u2019s a decent recording. No one wants a muddy live mix or one where you can hear the crowd talking and bottle clinking over the sound of actual music.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"7\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cover_songs\"><\/span><span>Cover songs<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span>The staple of all brand-new artists doesn\u2019t have to be their realm entirely. Even after you\u2019re established and writing songs of your own, covers are a great way to showcase your influences. They not only show where you came from, but also where you\u2019re headed next. Record a cover of an artist who got you into music in the first place and put your roots on display.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Or, even cooler, cover an artist you\u2019re currently into who\u2019s influencing your next move. This provides a fun hint at what your next batch of original songs might sound like. It\u2019s like an Easter Egg for fans to look back on when your new songs come out. Look toward the future in style!<\/span><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><span>Now that you\u2019ve got some ideas for releasing a single, it\u2019s time to put them into action. The world needs new music now more than ever before!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"co-button\" href=\"https:\/\/auth.cdbaby.com\/account\/login?returnUrl=%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%2Fcallback%3Fclient_id%3D4b7db666-c48f-4584-8c22-d79ce7d8c1b6%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmembers.cdbaby.com%252Fsignin-oidc%26response_mode%3Dform_post%26response_type%3Dcode%2520id_token%26scope%3Dopenid%2520profile%2520email%2520cdbAPI%2520cdbAuthApi%2520cdbMembers%26state%3DOpenIdConnect.AuthenticationProperties%253DWjAJgB4mH11GXomG7MRo4eZJRMklccG7UORlPmdhG6y-2vc8V76lQJ_W0DvXVWHslHIeShbP_6Zj0YlENRB556Nsu6F8XK36tNNIrTvZnVUOPIoIh2FXlNJMW3Z54u7l0SVDZRiDE1esbjLl4dFVRV_A29DTNQBFo7zfKbwZh2E19KO3Ua-iiIH9XDtwnxsH2GBLULYoiHS5gDXl0vqDuaOWYCPTw-vZXlDJF3DIn3CSX-OCTCmANsQ0Os-w6fow%26nonce%3D637318146149542333.OGM0MjdmNzktZDYyNS00MTZkLTlhN2EtNTI0ODNhZjAyYzUwYTc0YTNmMGMtMWU2My00ZGI5LWIyYTktYTEzNzVhMmZjZmE2%26x-client-SKU%3DID_NET451%26x-client-ver%3D5.2.1.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Release a single<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/musician-tips\/7-singles-to-release\/\" target=\"_blank\">7 kinds of singles you should be releasing in 2021<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/diymusician.cdbaby.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">DIY Musician<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Frequently releasing single songs might be easier than you think. We\u2019re living in the age of singles. As music streaming has grown in popularity over the past decade, it\u2019s taken the single-song format along for the ride. While a full-length album shows you\u2019re serious about your music, the digital single is an indispensable tool in an artist\u2019s belt.\u00a0 Singles are especially useful for new artists, when potential fans have the choice between a 45-minute album smorgasbord or a 3-minute appetizer. When they just want to find [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"h5ap_radio_sources":[],"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2059","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-best-seo-blogs"],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":false,"author_link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/author\/craig\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2059","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2059"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2059\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2059"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2059"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}