What is a Waterfall Release Strategy?

A waterfall release is not a type of release, but a release strategy used to build momentum and excitement around your project.

In a waterfall strategy, instead of dropping an entire EP or album all at once, you release tracks one by one while continuously adding to the previous releases. Here's an example for a 5-track EP:

1. Week 1: Release the first track as a single.

2. Week 2: Release the first and second tracks together.

3. Week 3: Release the first, second, and third tracks together.

4. Week 4: Release the first, second, third, and fourth tracks together.

5. Week 5: Release the full EP with all five tracks.

Each new release contains the new track plus all previously released tracks. This approach helps keep your fans engaged over a longer period and boosts visibility on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

Can I Set Up a Waterfall Release on UnitedMasters?

Yes. Artists on UnitedMasters can set up their own waterfall-style releases by scheduling singles, uploading new tracks while including previous ones. You will need to manage this strategy manually when creating and submitting new releases. If you need additional assistance, reach out to our Support team. 

Important:

• Pre-Releases on Apple Music: Apple offers a pre-release feature (where fans can see a full album but only stream available tracks as they're released). This is a different setup and is currently only available to PARTNER artists at UnitedMasters. Learn more about Apple's pre-releases here.

• YouTube does not support "Waterfall" releases. Every new release that goes to YouTube, even if they have the same ISRC, won't carry over streams. 

• Waterfall Tips: Make sure your track metadata (titles, ISRCs) stay consistent across releases to ensure smooth linking on DSPs (Digital Service Providers).