Holiday Music Marketing Ideas

It's Halloween, and my mind is racing with scary marketing ideas related to the holidays. Here's what sparked the idea for this post ...

I picked up a flier this week. What caught my eye was the headline:

"Cranksgiving"

At first I assumed it was promoting a Thanksgiving concert by a metal band. But a closer look revealed it to be an annual bike ride to collect canned goods for the homeless. Very cool concept.

But I still think Cranksgiving would be a great name for a rock show in November.

Wondering how you might use this idea? Here's how ...

Write down a list of holidays that will take place over the next six months or so. Also write down any common phrases associated with those holidays. Examples:

• Merry Christmas
• Holiday cheer
• Turkey Day
• Plymouth Rock
• New Year's Eve
• Happy new year
• Etc.

Now take each word (and even syllable) and play with it. Go to a site like www.rhymezone.com and see what sound-alike words you come up with.

• How about "Hairy Christmas" for a hair band?
  
  
• "Plymouth Rock" has a lot of possibilities.
  
  
• "Merry KISSmas" for a tribute band.
  
  
• What about "Crappy New Year"?
  
  
• "New Years Heave" anyone?

See, this marketing thing can be creative and fun!

Got any good holiday music theme examples or ideas? I bet you do. Click the Comment link below and post yours.

-Bob



Check out Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook, the classic guide to indie music promotion. Now revised and updated, with four new chapters on Internet and Web 2.0 music marketing.