How artists can use the festive season to rest, plan and thrive
Turn the holiday slowdown into your launchpad for a successful start to the new year.
Festive releases aside, the music industry slows down every year as the holiday season rolls in. Releases slow down, gigs quieten, and major labels step away to spend time with their families.
For many artists, especially those riding a wave of success or trying to build momentum, this can feel like an unwelcome interruption. But, the seasonal quiet can be an opportunity.
The festive period allows you to step back, take stock, and lay the foundations for an exciting and productive new year. Whether you need a well-earned rest, want to fine-tune your goals, or explore creative campaigns, now’s the time to make it happen.
Take time to rest and reflect
After a long year of creating, promoting, and performing, your mind and body deserve a break. Resting isn’t lazy- it’s about giving yourself time to recharge. Allowing yourself time to slow down and breathe may even help your creativity flow come the new year.
Reflection is equally important during this time. Look back at your year as an artist: What went well? Did you gain new fans, release a track you’re proud of, or struggle to stay consistent? Celebrate your wins, no matter how big or small, and take time to learn from any lows.
Keep your social presence fresh
The end of the year is the perfect moment to give your artist profiles a refresh. Fans and potential collaborators will often find you online first, so your digital presence should reflect who you are in the current moment.
Start with the basics: update your artist bios, upload fresh visuals, and ensure your platforms are cohesive. As you grow and evolve throughout the year, your image should reflect these changes.
Social media will naturally slow down as people spend time with family and friends during this period, so don’t stress about constant engagement. Instead, schedule some content in advance: highlights of your year, messages of gratitude to your fans, or teasers for upcoming projects. That way you can check-in every now and then, without needing to overly worry about it.
Alternatively, you could take this opportunity to join online communities and connect with peers. Send a friendly note to collaborators you’d like to work with in the new year. The groundwork you lay now could set you up for exciting projects when January rolls around.
Define your objectives and break them into aims
Now that you’ve had a chance to rest and reflect, think about what you want to achieve in the coming year. It sounds basic, but it could really help you in the new year. Start broad: What are your big goals? Maybe you want to release an EP, gig in a couple of venues, or grow your audience online.
Once you’ve defined your objectives, break them down into clear monthly aims. For example, if your goal is to release an EP by the middle of the year your first few months may look like this:
- January: Finish writing and arrange studio time.
- February: Record and start mixing.
- March: Plan your marketing strategy and visuals.
- April: Get your release ready for distribution.
This step-by-step approach makes even the most ambitious goals manageable. Plus, having a plan means you’ll start the year with clarity and confidence.
If goal-setting feels daunting or pointless (who actually sticks to new years resolutions anyway), keep it simple. Write down 2-3 clear aims, think about what small steps you can take, and you will subconsciously focus towards them. Even if the steps you’ll take are a little unclear for now, just thinking about it will help get the cogs turning ahead of the new year.
Explore festive campaigns
While the industry slows down, the holiday season is still an excellent time to connect with your audience through festive campaigns. These don’t have to be complex or time-consuming, but they can keep you visible while offering something special to your fans.
A great idea is to release a holiday cover song. Adding your unique twist to a classic festive track can help attract new listeners while giving existing fans something fresh to enjoy.
Alternatively, you could create limited-time winter merch bundles, such as hoodies, vinyls, or digital downloads packaged with exclusive bonus materials- capitalising on the festive marketing themes!
Festive campaigns don’t just maintain momentum, they can also bring in extra revenue during a period when gigs and releases may be on hold.
Invest in yourself and your skills
If you find the idea of being restful over the holidays as unappealing, you could channel that energy into self-improvement. The festive season is the perfect time to hone your craft, whether that means improving your production skills, learning a new instrument, or tackling areas like music marketing.
There are countless resources to get you started, from YouTube tutorials to artist blogs packed with tips. If you’ve been struggling to produce your own music, why not dedicate a few hours to mastering your software. If songwriting is your focus, set a challenge to write a song every day for a week- no pressure, just creativity.
Investing in yourself during this time ensures that you’ll enter the new year with new skills and renewed confidence.
What will you do with your festive downtime?
There’s no right or wrong way to approach the festive season- do what works best for you. If you need rest, take it. If you want to stay active, get planning and stay creative.
Whether you choose to rest, refresh your image, plan for the year ahead, or sharpen your skills, this time can be an opportunity to breathe, reset, and prepare for a successful new year. Come January, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running and make your mark in the months ahead.