
A comprehensive music release strategy can send you scrambling in a few directions to carry out all the aspects of your campaign, from ads to email sends to social posts and more.
Show.co simplifies that process by providing a powerful suite of tools that empower you to run effective marketing campaigns. And if you’re a CD Baby member, you’ll receive full access for free.
What can I do with Show.co?
From a single hub you can:
- Launch a Spotify pre-save campaign
- Run ads on Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and more
- Drive streams and video views
- Reach new listeners with Spotify audio ads
- Premiere a YouTube video
- Grow your social following
- Build your email list
- Reward your fans
CD Baby artists can register through their dashboards and run multiple campaigns at once.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through three essential types of Show.co campaigns you can use to support your upcoming release.
How to launch a Spotify pre-save campaign
Why it matters: Pre-saves help you build hype before release day, boost your first-week numbers, and signal to Spotify that your track deserves algorithmic programming.
Steps to set it up:
- In your Show.co dashboard, select Spotify Pre-Save.
- Enter your Spotify URI and release date. (Note, this is not your Spotify URL. A URI is a Uniform Resource Identifier used to locate your artist profile, releases, and tracks within the platform).
- Upload your cover art (or use a press photo if your artwork has text).
- Customize the experience:
- Enable auto-follows and email collection so non-Spotify fans can join your list.
- Add a thank-you message or redirect to bonus content (like a private video or contest).
- Enable auto-follows and email collection so non-Spotify fans can join your list.
- Choose text color, set regional targeting, and (optional) add Google Analytics or a Facebook Pixel.
- Preview your landing page, then hit Launch.
- Once you’ve launched your pre-save campaign, you can analyze traffic through the Show.co dashboard.
Pro Tip: Set this up at least 3 weeks before release day so you have enough time to promote it.
How to run Spotify ads
Why it matters: Ads expose your music to new listeners, and with precise targeting, you can make sure you’re reaching the right fans.
Steps to set it up:
- Create a new Audio Campaign in your Show.co dashboard.
- Add your campaign details:
- Internal name and tags
- Start and end dates (schedule at least 3 days out for approval)
- Your budget and target region/genre
- Upload your ad assets:
- Voiceover script (30 seconds, with a clear call to action
- Backing track (use your own music!)
Image (640×640, under 500KB, branded with your artist name)
- Preview your ad to check balance (voiceover must be 20db over music).
- Confirm and submit for approval.
Pro Tip: Ads without a voiceover + CTA will be rejected. Make your message simple and direct: “Stream my new single now!”
How to create interactive music or video ads
Why it matters: Interactive ads give you placements on high-profile sites like Pitchfork and Rolling Stone while tracking streams as if a visitor were visiting your actual streaming platform profile.
Steps to set it up:
- In your Show.co dashboard, choose Interactive Ad.
- Pick your media source: Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, or SoundCloud.
- Enter your track URI or video link.
- Set your creative:
- Destination URL (best to link directly to your track, playlist, or album)
- Background image or color
- Header text (song description or CTA)
- Destination URL (best to link directly to your track, playlist, or album)
- Configure your campaign:
- Name, tags, dates, and regional targets
- Choose your placement tier:
- Discovery: widest reach, lower cost
- Targeted: balanced traffic + CPM
- Premium: top sites (budget $150+)
- Discovery: widest reach, lower cost
- Preview, enter payment, and publish.
Pro Tip: Use Premium placements when you’re promoting a major release or music video — the credibility boost is worth it.
Conclusion
Show.co gives CD Baby artists a complete marketing toolkit that makes professional campaigns accessible without the learning curve of traditional ad platforms.
- Pre-saves build release-day momentum.
- Spotify audio ads put your music in new ears.
- Interactive ads expand your visibility on major music sites.
Start small, test one campaign, and see what drives the most traction for your music. Then double down on the strategies that resonate with your fans.
If you’re a CD Baby member, you can access your Show.co page through your member dashboard. If not, sign up for a CD Baby account today!