With Christmas just around the corner, many musicians are wondering how the holidays effect their band? You're not alone if you're asking how you use the Holiday Season to get your name out there, sell more cds, book more shows, and even get more followers.

Knowing that the holiday season is a time when people WANT to buy, make a holiday plan to know exactly how you will build your fanbase, increase awareness, and even sell more than you ever imagined. Your listeners are your family, so it makes sense to spend your energy giving to to them and also providing them with even more ways to connect with you. Think of some ways you can let your fans know how much you value their support. Could you create a cd design that features your most fanatic fan, write a Christmas song parody, or even send out unique holiday cards?

In addition to finding ways to give to your listeners during the holidays, know that people are wanting to buy for their best-friend's boyfriend's sister and anyone else on their list for that matter. So, it's vital that you have stuff to market and a way to connect with them. Discmakers.com released a couple useful holiday guides that might also provide you with some ideas, so check them out.

Since we have emphasized the importance of the holidays as it relates to your band, let's address some things to keep in mind.

Know what your band wants to accomplish - What's your goal for the Christmas Season? More fan loyalty? A larger fanbase? Increased sales?

Plan out how to do it - Write out your plan of what you will get done and when, remembering for some items there's a real time crunch.

Keep your style - Whether you will be doing a music video, needing a cd design, remaking an old holiday tune--your top priority is for everything to be done professionally.

Have and use your brand - Whatever ways your band is planning to creatively show appreciation for your fans and attract attention to your band, make sure that your fans and friends of fans know that it's you. Make sure it speaks your band's identity loud and clear--Design with your logo, use your recognized colors and fonts, have your website clearly visible on whatever you release.

Don't do it all yourself - Build a team. While it seems so easy to do everything yourself, use the busyness of the season to force yourself share the load with others--people that know their stuff and let you deliver warm fuzzies this season!

Now the one question is what are you going to do to be remembered this Christmas Season?