Run a Focus Session

This guide is for labels, managers and artists who want structured feedback before a release. A Focus Session plays exact versions, streaming only and watermarked, to the people you choose, and collects their answers. It is run from a workspace by members who can share music. If you were invited to one as a listener, skip to Taking part.

Create a session

1. Open Focus Sessions and choose New Focus Session.
2. Work through the steps: Name, Source, Mode, Questions, Security, Invite and Review.
   • Source: an Entire release (album, EP or single, in its own order) or Selected tracks.
   • Mode: Normal (listeners see titles, artist and artwork) or Blind (they only see Track 01, Track 02…).
   • Questions: start from a template such as General listening or Hook test (first 15 seconds), or Write your own questions. Choose Add question for more.
   • Security: how many Devices each listener may use and the Play limit per track.
   • Invite: type Listener emails, and add a Note for listeners (optional).
3. On Review, choose Activate session, or Save as draft to finish later.

Invite more people or share a listening link

On the session's Overview:

• Invite more listeners: type addresses and choose Invite.
• Share a listening link: pick a link type, then create it.
  • Fan Focus link: verified email required, structured feedback, guided song by song.
  • Verified Listening link: verified email required, feedback optional, playlist player.
  • Public Listening link: no account required, feedback optional. Anyone with the link can listen, so use it only when you are comfortable with it being forwarded. An admin must allow it in Security Center first.

Under Advanced options you can add a Label (optional), Max participants (optional), Expires after (days, optional), Starts working (optional) and, for Fan Focus and Verified Listening, Only these email domains (optional) and Require approval.

Choose Preview as participant to see exactly what listeners see.

Read the results

1. Open the session and choose the Results tab.
2. Filter by song, question or listener.
3. Choose Export CSV to download the answers.
4. Choose Share to make a read-only results link. You can add a password or PIN and tick Allow CSV download (names hidden).

When you are done, choose Close Session. Playback stops straight away for everyone.

Taking part

1. Open your invitation or link. Sign in, or create a free account, with the address it was sent to. Public Listening links need no account.
2. Read the confidentiality notice and choose Agree and continue.
3. Choose Start listening, answer the questions as you go, then choose Submit feedback.

Listeners are never asked for two-factor in a Focus Session.

Common problems

• "Focus Sessions are run by workspace members who can share music." Ask a workspace manager for a role that can share.
• "Public Listening link" can't be chosen. It is turned off for your organization. An admin can allow it in Security Center.
• A listener can't join. Fan Focus and Verified Listening links need a verified email. If you ticked Require approval, let them in from Participants.