Are you a musician already thinking about the holiday season? In this motivating episode, Bree Noble walks listeners through the essential steps artists should take now to ensure a successful and stress-free holiday release.
Bree kicks things off by stressing the importance of planning early:
“You think, oh my gosh, it’s…at the end of the year, like, I’ve got so much time. It’s amazing how time passes quickly.” She shares her own experience of starting her Christmas album in July, selecting songs, working on arrangements, and even arranging childcare to carve out focused studio time.
This episode goes beyond just music, though. Bree covers whether to release a single, EP, or full album, offering practical advice:
“In today’s climate…I think it’s better to maybe release two EPs in two consecutive years rather than releasing an entire album, because you can get a lot more attention to that.”
She also breaks down a month-by-month action plan. Here are a few of her smart tips:
July: “Map out your timeline, start to finish.”
August: Pick your songs and arrangements, decide on side musicians.
September: “Record, hopefully you’re going to record in studio and at home, you’re going to get your artwork done.”
October: Get your music ready for duplication, start your pre-order campaign: “I basically paid all my costs upfront…by taking pre-orders from my email list.”
November: Set up digital distribution and prep your marketing materials.
December: Embark on mini-tours and make holiday merch grab-and-go ready for fans: “Wrap up some stuff, CDs and merch and wrap it into wrapping paper…make it easy for them to just grab it off your merch table.”
Bree’s checklist doesn’t stop there—she encourages musicians to hold online or local release parties, take advantage of video marketing (“…do a quick lyric video…that could be another way to promote.”), and to connect with their fans through email and social media.
Finally, Bree invites everyone to submit their holiday creations to the Women of Substance Radio holiday series, reminding us:
“I cannot wait to hear what you guys put out this year when you release…Let me know. I would love to hear your holiday music.”
If you’re a musician looking to make the most of the holiday season, Bree’s advice-packed timeline will keep you one step ahead. Want more details? Be sure to check out the full podcast for all of Bree’s helpful strategies!
Listen to this episode and get inspired to jumpstart your holiday music plans today!
