Music promotion on YouTube 101

Nothing compares to dancing a few feet from the stage while your favorite band performs your favorite song. But music videos are the next best thing – and if you’re a musician, sharing clips and videos on social media is a great way to engage with fans between shows. YouTube is the perfect place to do it.

One of the perks of doing music promotion on YouTube is its potential to help you reach new fans. If you make ambient hip-hop, someone halfway around the world is probably searching for sounds like yours – YouTube can help you connect with them.

Why you should be uploading to YouTube

Online content is trending away from still images – more and more videos are flooding feeds on every platform. Billions of users already go straight to YouTube for their video content, but Google and other search engines also often feature YouTube videos in search results. That’s how that person halfway around the world can search the whole internet for ambient hip-hop and find your video in the results.

Another YouTube perk is its Community features, which allow you to actively engage with your target audience. Even if you're not posting a new video or responding to a video’s comments, you can use the Community features to share GIFs, images, polls and more with your followers.

How to make an engaging music video for YouTube

Before you even think about music video promotion, you’ve got to make that music video. You’re the artist, so we’ll leave the scene-setting, performing and creative editing to you. But here’s some guidance for the more technical side of video creation:

• Set a budget: You know the saying: You have to spend money to make money. But indie musicians can make a great video on a budget – lo-fi graphics are in! Determine how much you can spend before you start, and set aside enough money to get the best sound quality possible.
• Set the mood: Imagine you’ve already posted several videos. When someone visits your YouTube channel, what’s the aesthetic you want them to see? With this in mind, try to stick to a visual theme in every video – a theme that represents your music, of course. Whether it’s bubblegum chic or garage band grunge, curate your lighting, props and costumes to meet the vibe.
• A storyboard can help: Music videos only last as long as a song – usually about three minutes. But your video should tell a complete story. So use a storyboard to map out what story elements will come through in each part of the song.
• Location, location, location: Your local club might have the perfect look for an EDM video shoot, but is it too dark or loud? For a high-quality music video, look for locations that provide the right backdrop while meeting your lighting, transport, acoustic and other logistical needs.

Free music promotion on YouTube

Once you’ve uploaded your content, it’s time to switch to digital marketing manager mode. Marketing isn’t as fun as filming a music video, but do you know what is? Finding new fans and getting famous for doing what you love. Here’s how to get your start in YouTube music video promotion:

• Use social media: You already have fans and followers on other social media platforms. So use your presence on those apps to help with video promotion on YouTube. Drop a link to your YouTube channel in your bio so your fans can easily find it. Since sites like Instagram and Soundcloud limit the number of links you can share, use a Linktree URL to send followers to your YouTube, merch store, TikTok and other accounts. Drum up interest in your channel by using different platforms to post about new videos, publish “teaser” clips and pump fans up with a countdown to your latest release.
• Learn about YouTube SEO: Search engine optimization (SEO) ensures the right results for any given query float to the top. Optimize your YouTube video titles and descriptions so your content comes up in searches. For the best SEO, research trending keywords, and pay attention to what populates when you start typing in words related to your content in the YouTube search bar. Third-party YouTube SEO tools make finding the right keywords easy.
• Share with friends and family: Is your mom your biggest fan? We’re not judging! Ask your friends and family to show their support by giving you a follow or liking your videos to help get your numbers up.
• Use custom thumbnails: If you don’t pick a thumbnail photo, YouTube will do it for you – and there’s no guarantee the still or quality will be great. Upload a high-quality image that will make your video stand out. A good thumbnail will catch viewers’ attention, and it may catch the algorithm’s too – which could lead to more organic promotion.
• Get your channel verified: Once your channel has 100,000 followers, you can apply for YouTube’s coveted blue verification check mark. Submit your application to the platform, and they’ll verify that your account represents you. The checkmark is practically synonymous with celebrity status, and it’s another visual element that will catch a viewer’s eye as they scroll.
• Ask your fans to share: One of the best YouTube music promotion channels is your fan base. These are the people who love you – why not ask them a small favor? Include a call-to-action (CTA) in a live session or video description asking them to share your video with their friends. You can also cross-promote with other musicians in your community through song collaboration, mutual shares and cameo video appearances.

What is Youtube Music?

Streaming music has taken over the music industry. YouTube jumped on board with YouTube Music, a streaming service similar to Apple Music or Spotify that allows users to browse YouTube-hosted songs and music videos. It’s a great way to drive more traffic to your YouTube Channel. You can upload songs directly to YouTube Music without posting on YouTube, making it easy to promote your music without spending time and money making videos.