PROFITABLE MUSICIAN WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

November 20, 2024

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It's the most wonderful time of the year for promoting holiday music.

I've cooked up a 30 day plan for you to tease, release and promote holiday music this season complete with play-by-play for each week. Check it out in today's Deep Dive section.

Speaking of Holiday music, we're putting the final touches on our Women of Substance Holiday playlists. Can't wait to start releasing them on November 29. It's the perfect music for decorating the house (which we always do the day after Thanksgiving). It's a great tradition because it keeps me out of the stores on Black Friday:)

I always think of Black Friday as a season instead of a specific date. Since I've got a crazy busy week next week with family coming into town and hosting 13 people for Thanksgiving, I decided to do our Black Friday sale a week early. Check out the details below.

Always in your corner,
​Bree Noble

Click worthy

Early Black Friday Deal!

NEEd-to-know

Music Industry News

💸 Spotify Launches Partner Program with new monitization options for video creators

📷 Making The Most Of Instagram: 10 Tips for Musicians - I actually learned a few ninja tips myself from this:)

💿 The Pros & Cons of the DIY Distribution System With easy access comes fraud.

🍽️ Are you choosing the starving artist mentality? Important mindset shift!

TODAY'S DEEP DIVE STORY

So, you’ve got your holiday single, EP or album recorded, mastered, and ready to share with the world—amazing! Now, it’s time to put together a solid marketing plan that maximizes the short but laser-focused window of time you have to promote holiday music, and gets your song into as many ears as possible.

If you’re releasing an EP or album, I recommend you focus your efforts on one lead single. Here’s a week-by-week timeline to help you promote that single over the next 5 weeks with some proven promotional tactics and specific tasks to keep you on track.

Here’s how to break it down from pre-release through post-release with promotional strategies like curated Spotify playlists, social media & email marketing, and more!

Timeline: November 20 - December 20

Pre-Release Strategy

Week 1: Nov 20 - Nov 21

Goal: Set Up Distribution, Submit to Spotify Playlists, and Build Excitement

1. Set Up Digital Distribution (Nov 20):
   • Make sure your track is scheduled for release on November 28 through your distribution service (like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby). This will get your single on all major streaming platforms and give Spotify enough time to process it.
   • Verify that your Spotify for Artists profile is updated with new photos, your bio, and links to your social media.
   • ​Set up an account with PlaylistSupply and research Holiday playlists.
2. Submit to Spotify’s Editorial Playlists (Nov 20-21):
   • Go to Spotify for Artists and submit your track directly to Spotify’s editorial team. Focus on genre-specific playlists, especially any with “Holiday” or “Christmas” themes. (Tip: Playlist decisions can take time, so the earlier you submit, the better.)
3. Tease Your Single on Social Media (Nov 20-21):
   • Post a 15-30 second clip on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts to build excitement. Add popular holiday hashtags like #NewHolidayMusic, #ChristmasSingle, and #HolidayVibes.

Pre-Release Build-Up

Week 2: Nov 22 - Nov 28

Goal: Final Prep and Early Buzz Generation

1. Launch a Pre-Save Campaign (Nov 22-25):
   • Use services like Feature.fm or Show.co to create a pre-save link. Share it across your social media platforms and in your email newsletter. Remind fans that by pre-saving, they’ll be the first to hear your new single as soon as it’s released. Also let them know that this helps spark the algorithm so your song may get more traction in algorithmic playlists and signal to editorial tastemakers that you’re an artist to watch. If you inform them about what’s at stake, your fans will want to help you.
2. Reach out to venues that might be looking for Holiday performers
   • Use a live online search engine like Booking-Agent.io specifically designed to give you real-time data on venues and talent buyers.
3. Email Your Fans with a Special Preview (Nov 25):
   • Send a teaser email letting fans know what inspired your holiday single. Include a snippet or link to a preview. Make it personal and festive to get fans in the holiday spirit and ready for release day. Telling a personal story is a great way to hook them in and make your song instantly memorable.
4. Collaborate with other artists(Nov 25-27):
   • Reach out to other artists who share your musical vibe and have a similar following. Do a collab reel where they’re discovering your new single on Spotify and adding it to their playlist. You can return the favor when their next release comes out..
5. Plan Your Release Day Post (Nov 27-28):
   • Create a few fun, holiday-themed graphics or short videos to announce the release across your social media platforms on November 28. This post should be ready to go so that all you have to do on release day is hit publish! While you’re at it, you might want to draft your release email too. Having these done will reduce your stress on release day so you can enjoy the experience and spend time interacting with fans directly.
6. Reach out to Spotify playlist curators to preview your track
   • Use a tool like PlaylistSupply to find curators of Holiday playlists to reach out to.

Post-Release Strategy

Release Week: Nov 29 - Dec 5

Goal: Drive Streams, Grow Engagement, and Share Everywhere!

1. Release Day Hype (Nov 29):
   • Send your pre-written email and give your fans an easy way to share the news and the link to the new song. Announce your single’s release on all platforms! Share your pre-made social media post, tag it with relevant hashtags, and encourage fans to listen, add it to their holiday playlists, and share.
2. Engage on Streaming Platforms (Nov 29-30):
   • Reach out to the playlist curators you already connected with to remind them to add the track. Submit your track to additional independent playlists using tools like PlaylistSupply. Focus on holiday and genre-related playlists, as curators are actively looking for seasonal songs.
3. Host a “Holiday Listening Party” (Dec 1):
   • Go live on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube, and play the single while you chat with fans about the song’s inspiration, the recording process, or share some holiday stories. Invite fans to listen along, chat, and interact. You could even do this with an in-person release party if you want!​
4. Post Fan Engagement Prompts (Dec 2-5):
   • Encourage listeners to tag you in their posts or stories when they play your song or even include your song in their post. You can even ask them to use a song hashtag like #giftbeneaththestar. Repost their stories and create a community around your holiday single.
5. Follow up with venues and reach out to a few new ones
   • Use a live online search engine like Booking-Agent.io to find more venues in your city or surrounding area that are constantly booking live talent

Week 4: Dec 6 - Dec 12

Goal: Keep the Song Fresh with Holiday Content

1. Submit to Additional Playlists (Dec 6):
   • Reach out to independent playlist curators again using PlaylistSupply for last-minute adds. Smaller curators are often more flexible with last-minute additions, especially as listeners look for holiday music.
2. Lyric Video (Dec 6-8):
   • Lyric videos are a great way to give fans more of an experience with your song. Upload it to YouTube and share it across social media as a “new way to enjoy the song.”
3. Run a Contest (Dec 8-10):
   • Host a “Best Holiday Moment” contest, inviting fans to post videos of holiday traditions or decorations with your single as the background music. Offer a holiday-themed prize like a shoutout, merch, or a virtual meet-and-greet or online private concert.
4. Run Targeted Ads (Dec 9-12):
   • With a small budget, run targeted ads on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. Aim the ads at holiday music fans to bring in new listeners, particularly those in your preferred genre.

Week 5: Dec 13 - Dec 20

Goal: Keep Momentum Going as the Holidays Approach

1. Create And Post User-Generated Content (Dec 13-20):
   • By now, fans may have tagged you in their stories or posts. Share their content and thank them for making your single a part of their holiday season.
2. Countdown to Christmas with Social Posts (Dec 16-20):
   • Share daily countdowns using your single. You could post snippets of your song paired with short captions or holiday photos to keep it fresh in people’s minds as the holiday approaches.

Final Tips for the Season

• Repurpose Content: Keep your song fresh by using the audio for various holiday videos on TikTok or Instagram.
• Update Social Profiles: Make sure to include your single’s link in all bios to drive easy access.
• Have Fun with It: Show your holiday spirit and make sure your fans feel connected to your excitement—it’s the season of joy, after all!

Here’s to spreading the word about your song, getting more ears on your music and building a whole new audience who’ll come back year after year for more holiday cheer!

ON THE PODCAST

There’s no magic formula for a music career, but there’s one powerful ingredient: teamwork.

In this episode, Bree Noble sits down with Lilia Bogoeva and Bruno Parente, the dynamic duo known as Lilia & Bruno. Lilia and Bruno share their inspiring journey in the music industry, from their early days in bands to their current endeavors as musicians and entrepreneurs.

They share their experiences in teaching music and dance, the challenges and rewards of running a music school, and their strategies for promoting their brand in the digital age.

With their passion for music and their entrepreneurial spirit, Lilia and Bruno offer valuable insights for aspiring musicians and entrepreneurs alike.

When You're Ready, here are 3 ways we can help you become a more Profitable Musician:

​FREE "39 Little-Known Streams of Income For Musicians" Guide​

​Visit Our Digital Shop For Helpful Resources For Musicians​

​Join Female Musician Academy (this month's training is "Thrive in 2025: Your Profitable Year")