Marketing your music like Scrooge?
Christmas music is in the air. Marketing everything in sight. People will be out at the malls, singing, shopping, and spending money even as the world economy collapses. People are making and spending money left and right. So, shouldn’t you get in on the action? Sell your music to the happy crowds? Well, yes, but that’s not what we are going to talk about today.
Instead, let’s talk about just giving your music away. Screw the money, Bet you never thought you’d hear me say that, huh? But, don’t worry, I still have your skinny wallets in mind and trying to fatten them up for you. I don’t want you to give anything away without expecting something in return. Your fans don’t have to know that you are expecting anything in return… they will just get some free music, and think you are the nicest band in the world. Only you and I will know better.
What I’m talking about doing is creating some special Christmas music, and making it something special just for the fans. This is one of the oldest music promotion ideas around. People love Christmas music and anything having to do with the holiday. There are people out there who collect every Christmas song they can find. You have a built in new audience with this, and you’ll get lots of buzz, referrals, talk about you, and yes, in the end, money.
Go in the basement with some kind of recording device… you don’t even have to have high quality music equipment for this one. You are going to bang out, really quickly, some kind of Christmas greetings and then a song for your fans. Then, only give it out to people in your fan club.
You do have a fan club, don’t you?
If not, now’s the time to start. Get some mailing list software. Put a big sign up form on your home page, and tell people that by signing up they will get access to free recordings from you that are ONLY available to those who join the fan club. If you can, do it as a pop up on your home page, and every other page. If you don’t know how to do this, let me know, and I’ll post something about it.
Now you have a fan club. They get this exclusive Xmas recording to brag about and amaze their friends with. Those friends will want it also. They’ll sign up. Your mailing list will grow, your fan base will grow, and everyone will think ‘what great guys’ your band is, and that you have the xmas spirit just like they do. Bah Humbug… you just want to get them on your list.
Think no one will care? The Beatles put out a fan recording every year. Elvis, the Beach Boys, Springsteen, just about every Country singer, and tons more bands have put out Christmas recordings. Some became big hits and get played over and over every year near Christmas. You’ll get some ‘word’ out on your recording, and it it’s really good, rerecord it right and make it an official release for next year. Maybe you’ll have a hit… radio stations are hungry for new Xmas music. They can’t get enough of it. And, of course, next year, along with your hit, you can make a new Christmas song for your fans.
Alright, up the ante… take that recording, put some videos of you playing around with the song as the background and upload it to youtube and all the other video sites. Go to the torrent sites and feed them… Send out press releases talking about how fans love your free Xmas song. Oh yeah, in the intro, when you are telling your fans to have a Merry Christmas, don’t forget to mention your website so when it gets passed around, everyone will know where to go.
The season is upon us and the time to act is now. Get working on your Christmas song promotion today.
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