> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.fanaura.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Cycle Stages > Understand the three cycle stages for every launch type — Pre-Release, Release, and Post-Release — and how they shape your marketing automation. Every launch in Fanaura moves through three distinct stages. These stages mirror the natural rhythm of any release — the buildup, the big moment, and the follow-through. Each stage gets its own set of automation flows, so your messaging always matches where your fans are in the journey. ## Why Stages Matter Think about the last album drop you were excited about. There is a different energy in the weeks leading up to it versus the day it comes out versus the weeks after. Your marketing should reflect that. Teasers before release, celebration on release day, follow-up afterward — stages keep your messaging in sync. See at a glance which automations belong to which phase of your campaign. A flow assigned to Pre-Release will not accidentally fire during Post-Release. Run an email sequence, an SMS blast, and an IG DM responder all active during the same stage. ## Music Launch Stages **Badge**: Purple **When**: From your announcement date through the day before release. **Goal**: Build anticipation and drive presaves. This is where you create buzz. Your Pre-Release flows might include: * An announcement email with the single artwork and presave link * An Instagram DM auto-responder for fans who comment "presave" on your teaser post * An SMS blast to your VIP list with an exclusive snippet * A follow-up email to fans who have not presaved yet (using a condition to check) **Example flow**: Fan comments "PRESAVE" on your Instagram post, triggering an automatic DM with the presave link. Three days later, if they have not presaved, send a reminder SMS. **Badge**: Orange **When**: Release day itself. **Goal**: Drive streams, shares, and immediate engagement. This is the moment everything has been building toward. Release-stage flows are all about the "it's live!" energy: * A "It's out NOW!" email with streaming links for every platform * An SMS to presave fans: "Your presave just went live — go listen!" * An Instagram DM to fans who commented on your teaser: "The wait is over. Link in bio." * A thank-you flow for fans who stream within the first 24 hours **Example flow**: Fan who presaved receives an email the moment the release goes live with a personalized "Thank you for presaving, `{fan_first_name}`! Listen now" message. **Badge**: Pink **When**: From the day after release through up to 30 days later. **Goal**: Sustain momentum, re-engage fans, and deepen the relationship. The release day hype fades fast. Post-Release flows keep the conversation going: * A "Did you catch the music video?" email a few days after release * Behind-the-scenes content dripped over the following weeks * A playlist pitch email asking fans to add the song to their playlists * A re-engagement SMS for fans who have not streamed yet * A thank-you message to your most active streamers Many artists neglect the Post-Release stage, but this is where long-term fan relationships are built. A well-crafted post-release sequence can turn a casual listener into a lifelong supporter. **Example flow**: Three days after release, send an email with the behind-the-scenes video. Seven days later, send an SMS asking fans to add the track to their playlists. Fourteen days later, send a "still on repeat?" check-in. ## Tour Launch Stages **Badge**: Purple **When**: From announcement through the day before general on-sale. **Goal**: Build anticipation and drive presale signups. * Announce tour dates via email blast * Instagram DM auto-responder for fans asking about tickets * SMS presale code delivery to VIP fans * RSVP collection flows for show-specific interest **Example flow**: Fan RSVPs for your LA show, triggering an email with the presale code 24 hours before tickets go live. **Badge**: Orange **When**: From general on-sale day through the shows. **Goal**: Drive ticket sales and fill venues. * "Tickets are live!" email with direct purchase links * SMS reminders for fans who RSVP'd but have not bought tickets * Instagram DM with ticket links for fans who comment "tickets" * Low-ticket alerts for shows close to selling out **Example flow**: Fan RSVP'd but has not purchased a ticket within 48 hours of on-sale. Send an SMS: "Hey `{fan_first_name}`, tickets for the Nashville show are moving fast. Grab yours before they are gone!" **Badge**: Pink **When**: After on-sale through after the shows. **Goal**: Enhance the live experience and capture post-show engagement. * Pre-show "See you tomorrow!" texts to ticket holders * Post-show thank-you emails with photos and merch links * "How was the show?" surveys * Tour recap emails for fans who did not attend **Example flow**: The day after a show, send ticket holders an email with a photo gallery and a link to exclusive tour merch. ## Merch Launch Stages **Badge**: Purple **When**: From announcement through the day before the drop. **Goal**: Build hype and drive pre-orders. * Teaser emails with product previews * "First look" DMs to VIP fans * Pre-order link delivery * Countdown SMS blasts **Badge**: Orange **When**: From drop day through the active selling period. **Goal**: Drive purchases and maximize sales. * "It's live — shop now!" email blast * SMS with direct product links * Instagram DM auto-responder for fans commenting about the merch * Cart abandonment follow-ups **Badge**: Pink **When**: After the primary selling period. **Goal**: Follow up, drive repeat purchases, and collect feedback. * Shipping confirmation emails * "How are you liking it?" follow-up * Cross-sell flows for related products * Review request emails ## Color-Coded Badges Every stage has a distinctive badge color that appears throughout Fanaura: | Stage | Color | Where You See It | | ------------------------ | ---------- | --------------------------------------------------- | | Pre-Release / Pre-Sale | **Purple** | Launch detail, flow cards, Active Triggers Overview | | Release / On-Sale | **Orange** | Launch detail, flow cards, Active Triggers Overview | | Post-Release / Post-Sale | **Pink** | Launch detail, flow cards, Active Triggers Overview | These colors help you instantly identify which stage a flow belongs to, especially when viewing the Active Triggers Overview where flows from multiple launches are mixed together. ## Multiple Flows Per Stage Each stage can have as many flows as you need running simultaneously. There is no limit. Common patterns include: * **One flow per channel**: Separate email, SMS, and IG DM flows for the same stage * **One flow per audience segment**: Different messaging for VIP fans versus casual followers * **One flow per trigger**: A presave flow and a streaming link click flow both in Pre-Release * **A drip sequence plus a responder**: A timed email sequence alongside an always-on keyword responder ## Tips and Best Practices **Map out your stages before building.** Sketch which messages go in which stage before opening the flow builder. A few minutes of planning saves hours of rework. * **Do not overload a single stage**: Three to five focused flows per stage is usually ideal * **Use Post-Release / Post-Sale**: Many artists neglect this stage, but it is where long-term fan relationships are built * **Check your dates**: Stage transitions happen based on your launch dates, so make sure they are accurate * **Test each stage independently**: Activate one stage at a time to make sure everything works before going fully live ## What Happens Next Now that you understand how stages organize your campaign, learn how to create automation flows within each stage. Head to [Creating a Flow](/flow-builder/creating-a-flow).