It's Wint Wint Wintertime

Winter has officially begun. What a year this has been! ...especially since mid-February, when I decided that my next big project would be a Christmas album to showcase my music. Little did I know how much time and effort would be required AFTER the album was finished. Don't get me wrong, both the individual tasks and the overall challenge have been tremendously exhilarating. Fun and educational!

How best to do every possible important thing that one person can do in a short time to promote a holiday/novelty album by an unknown artist?? I did my best to keep notes, spreadsheets, schedules, and to do the things I could think of at the right time.

I created my first Facebook "Page" (www.facebook.com/guyshermanchristmas) in July and later learned about Scheduled Posts -- a very useful tool for planning the arc of your campaign, and reminding you not to post your ideas until the right time.

Around the same time, I created this Official "Yule Hear What I Hear" Website, and finished recording and mixing the album in August. It wasn't until May or June that I thought I should release it commercially. September was focused on the artwork and mastering, along with research on press and radio.

As soon as I received the CDs, I mailed them to dozens of radio stations and reviewers, while another 100+ people were emailed links to listen and download. Most of these folks will never reply.

It wasn't until October that I began tweeting for the first time --still getting the hang of it!--after Soundcrave Magazine responded to my album submission. In order to market it effectively on Twitter, I would have to have begun tweeting around 2009.

There's the involvement with ReverbNation, BroadJam, RadioAirplay, sorting out issues with CD Baby and iTunes, getting clear answers to my song licensing questions, etc. ...all the while periodically adding to the website!

It's been a blast! One thing led to another and my little project snowballed. In retrospect it all makes sense, and I've been getting the itch to begin working on new music--the sophomore effort, as they say--but without the deadline.

Happy Solstice!