Every year from about mid-December onward, the music industry becomes a ghost town. People start going on vacation and taking time off, major-label artists’ releases slow down big time, and for indie artists, it’s no man’s land. And while that, coupled with the frigid temperatures, might be enough to have you hunkering down and never leaving the safety of your home for the next few months, this time of year is actually incredibly powerful for setting yourself up for success. Instead of seeing the slowdown as a setback, think of it as a reset. It’s the perfect moment to catch up, get organized, reflect on where you’ve been, and plan where you’re going next. 🧠⚡️Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of it…
Maximizing Your Time During the Music Industry Slowdown
Take Time To Breathe
Sounds simple, right?
But there’s something to be said for an elongated period off where you have absolutely nothing to think about, nothing pressing to take care of, and time to truly relax. Have you ever noticed your best ideas come when you’re in the shower, falling asleep, or doing something 100% not related to your career? That’s because when your brain finally has a chance to relax, thoughts flow more freely, unleashing creativity blocked by daily stressors. This downtime isn’t about shutting off your career; it’s about giving your mind a chance to reset so you can come back stronger. A quiet season can help you reconnect with your “why,” process the whirlwind of the past year, and recharge in a way that’s tough to do when everything is moving at full speed.
Keep in mind that it’s still important to keep up with social media and nourish your relationships during this time. The winter slowdown is a great time to take a breather, but it doesn’t mean fully abandoning responsibilities! Light, low-pressure engagement (like sharing small moments, checking in with collaborators, or responding to fans) can go a long way without draining you.
Find a healthy balance, and stick to it.
(Need some ideas? Check out Holiday Marketing Tips for Musicians on Instagram for some of our favorite methods.)
Plan Ahead!
With the lack of expectations, plans, and general overwhelm, you now have time to sit down and map out a plan for the next 6-12 months. Don’t overwhelm yourself here. You don’t need a hyper-detailed spreadsheet or a perfect strategy. Just pick 1-2 major themes for the year and then incorporate them into your monthly goals.
For example, let’s say you want 2025 to be the year you focus heavily on expanding your network. That can be your overarching theme for the year, but you should also have individual music-focused goals sprinkled throughout, like releasing an EP, pitching more to playlists, revamping your live show, or planning a small tour. Take the time to map out what needs to happen each month to move those pieces forward. Then layer in tasks that support your main theme.
So, what now? On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you could go heavy on engaging in Facebook groups, DMing collaborators, or responding to fans to build stronger connections. Or you could look up every music event, workshop, networking night, and conference happening in your city (or online) for the first half of the year and add them to your calendar now, while things are quiet.
Planning is crucial for success in this industry. You have to know where you’re going in order to plan how to get there, especially in a space where things move fast once the year picks up again. Getting your goals out of your head and into the real world during this slower season is one of the best ways to set yourself up for a smoother, more productive year ahead.
Capitalize on Holiday Merch Promo
The holiday season gives you a great opportunity to boost revenue through exclusive promotions on your merch, especially when the rest of the industry is quiet. Think about offering limited-time deals like “winter bundles” that include signed CDs or vinyl, cozy hoodies, or digital exclusives like unreleased demos, acoustic versions, or holiday covers. To get your creative wheels turning, here are some easy promo ideas to try:
- Holiday bundles: Pair a hoodie with a CD, vinyl, sticker pack, or handwritten note.
- Limited-edition holiday merch: Beanies, ornaments, winter-themed designs, or short-run colorways.
- Digital exclusives: Unreleased tracks, acoustic versions, holiday covers, or behind-the-scenes content.
- Flash sales: Short 24 to 48-hour discounts to create urgency.
- Email-only offers: Use holiday-themed visuals and subject lines to make the promo stand out in inboxes.
These can not only generate some extra income you can put toward next year’s plans, but they also help keep your audience engaged during this natural slowdown. And if you want to go even further to keep up engagement over the holiday season, this post offers some easy tricks to make sure fans stay engaged even while things are slow.
Up Your Networking Game
If you live in a super cold area, I get that the reality is that most people are not leaving the house unless absolutely necessary (writing this in Tampa, FL… sadly can’t relate lol). This means fewer networking events, less face time with fans, and fewer chances to get in front of fellow industry folks in person. That said, that does not mean networking is completely impossible. It simply means you get to do more of it from the comfort of your couch.
For example, you can get active in two or three of your favorite Facebook groups, reach out to people you feel a genuine connection with, host Zoom calls, jump on live streams, or, if the weather is decent and they are local, invite them out for a quick coffee. There is no reason why you and your favorite local photographer, producer, videographer, or songwriter cannot become friends outside the internet.
If you need some help getting the ball rolling, try these methods:
- Comment on posts from other artists, producers, or industry figures you admire.
- Start casual conversations with collaborators you want to work with next year.
- Ask your fans questions on IG Stories to keep the relationship warm.
- Join or rejoin online groups for artists, producers, and managers.
- Watch live sessions from people in your niche and participate.
Social media is for more than just scrolling and watching likes roll in. It is meant for connection, sharing, interacting, and growing your network with people who want to do the same with you. The kicker is… It’s up to you to make it happen.
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🎁 Our gift to you: the gift of knowledge…
How to Build a Pre-Show Ritual That Supports Your Mental Health
How To Maintain Fan Engagement Over The Holidays as an Independent Musician
About Rise’s Song Launch Campaign: An All-In-One Promo Solution for Your Next Release
What Every Artist Should Know About Playlist Pitching in 2025
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Think About Sync
There are few things more satisfying than hearing your song placed in a film, TV show, commercial, or even a big YouTube channel. Not only is it rewarding to see your work land in the right moment, but the royalties you earn every time it plays can add up quickly. That extra income can go toward new gear, fresh merch, or anything you need to make the next year more productive.
Even though so many of us are out of the office and industry things are slow, this is the perfect time to get ready for sync opportunities. Use this time to gain some knowledge about the process, organize your catalog, optimize your tracks for placement, and learn what supervisors are looking for. That way when the industry picks back up, you’ll be ready to go.
To help you out, check out some of our favorite resources right here on the Symphonic Blog:
How To Prepare Your Music For Sync Licensing
What To Know Before Applying to Bodega Sync
How To Turn Your Sync Placements Into Publicity
What To Expect When Working with a Sync Rep
Sharpen Your Skills
No matter how far along you are in your career, there is always more to learn. Even the most successful musicians are constantly picking up new skills. Exploring new genres, mastering an instrument, improving production techniques, or learning the latest marketing tactics. The winter slowdown is the perfect time to invest in yourself. Beyond all the great insights you can find for free here on the Symphonic Blog, there is a wealth of educational content on our YouTube channel.
On our channel, you’ll also find recordings of our Live Masterclasses, where we’ve sat down with some of the music industry’s brightest minds, from label executives and managers to top-performing artists, to share actionable advice and insider tips. Especially if you’re stuck inside, cuddled up under a blanket, doing your best to stay away from the cold, you’ve got no excuse not to learn something new.
As they say, knowledge is power!
Claim and Update Your Artist Profiles
Clear visuals and up-to-date artist profiles are crucial for creating and maintaining your image as a musician. In today’s digital age, branding is everything, so it’s important to make sure all your platforms reflect who you are right now. Every year we grow, learn, evolve, and sometimes completely reinvent ourselves creatively. The winter slowdown is the perfect time to refresh your profiles for the new year with new photos, updated bios, and visuals that truly represent you as an artist.
Once you have the perfect photos and copy, each platform has its own process for updating. To make it easier, we’ve put together a full guide on updating your artist profiles across all the major platforms.
🚨 Be Aware of Holiday Deadlines 🚨
When I say the music industry slows down toward the end of the year, that includes everyone: artists, labels, streaming platforms, and distributors. Many people are taking time off to spend with family, and major platforms observe holiday breaks as well. This makes it more important than ever not to wait until the last minute to release a holiday single or any end-of-year project. Trying to rush things NEVER goes smoothly. At Symphonic, our team approves releases Monday through Friday, reviewing each submission carefully to ensure it meets all distribution guidelines. We generally approve releases within 2-3 business days, but this does not include weekends or holidays. (We are real people, too!)
Here’s what you need to know for 2025:
Symphonic Office Closures:
- Thanksgiving: November 27-28, 2025
- Holiday Break: December 22, 2025, through January 1, 2026
- Offices reopen January 2, 2026
Music Content Submission Cut-Offs:
- Release date November 28 – December 5: submit by November 7
- Release date December 6 – December 30: submit by November 21
- Release date December 31 – January 6: submit by December 12
- Avoid edits December 16, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Music Video Submission Cut-Offs:
- Release date November 24 – December 2: submit by November 7
- Release date December 3 – December 30: submit by November 13
- Release date December 31 – January 9: submit by December 1
- Video Distribution application unavailable December 20, 2025 – January 2, 2026
- Video submissions reopen January 5, 2026, at 9am EST
📌 To make sure you stay on track, check out the full post with all 2025 deadlines, holiday hours, and content cut-offs here: 2025 Holiday Hours and Content Cut-Off Reminders.
Finally, please communicate clearly with your team about your release plans. Just because you decide to go last-minute does not mean others will be able to accommodate it. Planning ahead is the best way to avoid headaches during the holiday slowdown.
Take Care Of Yourself ❤️🩹
The end of the year can be tough. And if you struggle with seasonal depression… even tougher. Taking care of your mental health should be #1 on your list of priorities, no matter the time of year. If you know you need a mental health break, don’t push yourself just because other people seem to be. Your journey is unique to YOU. Listen to your mind, and go at whatever pace works for YOU. If you need support, we’re here to give it.
Check out some of our mental health resources below…
Simple Self-Care Tips To Help You Beat The Winter Blues
Breaking The Stigma: Let’s Talk About Therapy in the Music Industry
How to Protect Your Mental Health on Social Media as an Artist
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