How to Release Your Christmas Song & Music Video for Viral Success This Holiday Season Part 2
This article is part 2 of the Christmas music promotion to-do list. A continuation from the part 1 article that you can read here.
D. Instagram / TikTok / Social Media
- Add Your Music to Your Profile: Go to the “Edit Profile” section on Instagram or TikTok and add your music under the “Music” section. Featuring your best song here can encourage users to visit your bio link faster.
- Trend Your Songs on Instagram and TikTok: When releasing a song, focus on making it trend. It doesn’t matter how good it is—what matters is creating buzz. Collaborate with micro and macro influencers to post videos and Reels featuring your song as soon as it drops. When people create videos with your song, it trends, leading to more creators using it in their content. This 5-15 seconds of exposure can make a huge difference. Need help finding influencers? Book a call with us.
- Post Strategically as an Upcoming Artist: Don’t copy the content of famous artists if you’re still undiscovered. Instead, focus on a niche—1-2 topics you’re passionate about—and post consistently. Repetition helps Instagram and TikTok algorithms recognize you, increasing your chances of going viral.
- Build Content Before Releasing a Song: Momentum matters. Drop enough content early to generate pre-saves for your track. Don’t wait until after release; start building excitement beforehand to trigger the algorithm.
- Invest in Amplifying Your Content: Set a budget to boost your posts and pages. First impressions matter, and strong engagement encourages more fans to follow you.
- Use a Smart Bio Link: Always use a shortened link in your bio that tracks clicks and sets up tracking pixels. Keep it simple—focus on major stores like Spotify and Apple Music to avoid spreading traffic too thin.
- Capitalize on YouTube Shorts: YouTube is one of the best-paying platforms. Focus on creating engaging Shorts tied to your music and trending topics. Once you hit 4,000 public watch hours, you can start monetizing your channel.
- Collaborate with Gamers and Creators: Reach out to gamers, reviewers, and creators to use your music in their videos or give you shoutouts. This exposure is often free and highly effective if scaled up. Millions of creators are looking for music to feature.
- Tap Into Lookalike Audiences: Once you’ve built a decent following, use algorithms to target lookalike audiences. Recycle your best content to engage new fans without needing to create content constantly. With a small ad investment, you can convert these audiences into loyal fans.
- Post Frequently in the Early Stages: When you’re still growing, posting more often doesn’t bore your audience—it expands your reach. Share new content every few hours to keep showing up in people’s feeds and build recognition.
- Repost High-Performing Content: If a video or song performed well, repost it every 2-3 months. Algorithms tend to boost familiar content, and reposts can sometimes do even better than the original. Re-release your best songs or videos periodically to maximize their potential.
E. Your Marketing
- Authenticity Over Budgets: A creative idea that resonates deeply with 5,000 people can have a lasting impact compared to 50,000 global views from an audience you don’t connect with. Focus on genuine engagement over flashy numbers.
- Promote Yourself, Not Just Your Music: People become fans of you, not just your songs. Create content about your life, experiments, and creative journey. Build a personal brand that’s versatile and relatable. Your music alone won’t create a community—your content will. Engage consistently, and over time, audiences will accept and support you.
- Consistency Pays Off: Release music regularly, even if each song doesn’t break records. Look at your stats and analyze why some tracks perform better than others. When one song blows up, your other work will also gain exposure. Consistency builds momentum.
- Re-Promote Older Christmas Songs: If your Christmas song is a few years old, repackage and promote it every holiday season. Holiday songs thrive on tradition, so keep them alive with fresh campaigns.
- Document Your Journey: If you have no budget, share the story behind your music. Create short and long-form content about your creative process—how you wrote the lyrics, mixed the track, or crafted the hook. Fans love behind-the-scenes insights, and this builds a deeper connection to your music.
- Your Small Fanbase Can Be Powerful: Even with a small following, you never know who’s watching—industry agents, A&Rs, or influencers often scout talent secretly. You might also inspire fans you’ve never met. Keep pushing forward; your work is helping and reaching people in ways you may not see.
- Don’t Get Discouraged: Stay motivated even if the results aren’t immediate. What you do when no one’s watching lays the groundwork for when the spotlight comes your way. Keep creating, connecting, and building.
F. MPT AGENCY TIPS
1. Progress Happens Behind the Scenes: Just because you aren’t famous or well-known doesn’t mean you’re not making progress. What you do when no one is watching is just as important as what you do when everyone’s paying attention.
2. Viral Moments Are Planned: In the music industry, nothing happens organically or by luck. Viral success is always planned, strategized, and executed as part of a business approach. The faster you realize this, the better for your career.
G. Registering Your Song (Preferably Before Release)
1. Register with Luminate Data: If you want your song to qualify for Billboard charts, register it with Luminate Data using your ISRC code. Fill out their Google form—it takes 2-3 days to process. They track sales and reports to ensure you qualify for the Billboard charts. Register here.
2. Register with ASCAP or BMI: These organizations ensure you get paid royalties when your song is played in restaurants, malls, or bars by collecting performance data and sending you payments.
3. Register with SoundExchange: This platform collects royalties for plays on digital platforms like SiriusXM. Make sure your song is listed so you can get paid for airplay.
4. Register with SongTrust: Use SongTrust to collect global royalties. This platform ensures you get paid for any international plays or usage.
H. Key Tips for Success
- Always Register Your Song: If you blow up and haven’t registered your song, you won’t receive royalties. Registration ensures you get every dime you deserve.
- Promote Year-Round: Don’t wait for next year to promote your music. A single viral song can explode your fanbase and bring attention to your other tracks.
- Focus on Fans, Not Followers: Social media followers don’t guarantee that people will play your song. Prioritize creating true fans of your music over just growing a social media presence.
The Power of Emotional Storytelling
Holiday music thrives on storytelling. Share the inspiration behind your song—whether it’s a childhood memory, a family tradition, or a charitable cause. Authenticity connects with audiences on a deeper level, turning listeners into lifelong fans.
In fact, a report by Nielsen Music found that storytelling in music marketing increases engagement rates by up to 80%, making it a crucial component of any promotion strategy.
Breaking a Christmas song into the holiday music canon isn’t just about creating a catchy melody—it’s about strategic promotion, consistent engagement, and leveraging every tool available. Whether it’s through playlist placements, viral challenges, or brand partnerships, the opportunities MPT Agency can bring to your holiday music are endless.
By implementing the tactics outlined in this guide, you can maximize the impact of your song this season and establish it as a festive favorite for years to come. Ready to accelerate your holiday music success? Contact MPT Agency to turn your song into the next Christmas classic.
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