Do you want the type of success that would cause your great-aunt twice removed to gasp in shock and your name to go viral? Then pay attention as we reveal the secrets kept deep within the music business.
Today, we present an insider’s guide to swimming safely through the ever-changing tides of music video releases.
So, do you want your music video to be successful upon its release? If that’s the case, posting it on YouTube and hoping for a massive audience is unrealistic. The reality is that you will only receive a few views on your video if you actively promote it.
This is why it’s essential to have a solid plan in place before releasing your music video independently.
So, today, we’ll discuss the best practices for distributing music videos by unsigned artists.
Why you need a plan for releasing your music video
Creating a music video is a big deal that is essential to the process of releasing an album. If your video becomes viral, it might dramatically affect how well your song, album, or career does as a whole. If the YouTube algorithm is on your side, your music video might serve as a gateway into your creative world, bringing thousands of new listeners. Also, a successful video release has the potential to become a huge PR event, aid in the cultivation of your visual identity, and catapult your brand to new heights.
We won’t advise you on how to direct your music video, from what angles to film, or what to wear in each scene; that’s on you. But putting aside the artistic aspect, here are some suggestions for releasing and promoting your video as effectively as possible.
First, you release the track, then the video
It goes without saying that a video for a song that fans are familiar with will resonate with them far more than one for a song they have never heard before. In addition, listeners will have their own interpretations of the song’s meaning and atmosphere, so they’ll be interested to see how you’ve represented it visually.
Make Room for Edits
The video production process is fraught with potential snags and setbacks, such as a shift in your creative direction, a delay in filming, or issues in post-production. That’s why keeping your release date under wraps is so important until you know with absolute certainty that you can actually stick to it. You might look at how Kanye delays the release of his records, keeping the hip-hop community on the edge of their seats, but not everyone can be Kanye.
Don’t forget to drop a teaser
If you want people to watch your music video when it’s first published, give them a taste by releasing a teaser. Even if it’s only a few seconds long, it will help get people interested. Don’t lift the curtain just yet, but pick a spot that will pique curiosity with its looks. Remember that the first impression of your video is the most crucial; therefore, everything that might generate excitement is welcome.
Keep posting content about the video to make people curious
Is your goal to make a splash with your new music video? Spread the word on social media and tell your followers something is up. There’s no need to overcomplicate things; in fact, it’s generally preferable to keep things basic so you can focus on the video.
Many musicians promote their music videos by sharing screenshots, behind-the-scenes images, teasers, and other related information online. It’s all part of the plan to get people excited, keep in touch with them, and increase the video’s impact.
Share a Lyric video
Lyric videos, which are both simple to produce and highly shareable, are an excellent method to drum up interest in your music video. Next, strategize how you release your music video: make sure the visual themes are the same, blast it on social media, and let your fans know it’s just a taste of what’s to come.
Submit the music video using the keywords
When the time comes to release your video, you should post it online (on YouTube, at the very least) and tag it with appropriate keywords.
They should be buzzwords that people use to search Youtube so that your video will appear when people look for it.
It would be best to combine specific, about-you keywords and broader, more generic ones. Your specific ones will include things like:
- Your name,
- The name of your Band
- Something else that might be found musically about you that others may look for.
Also, don’t forget to mention the following more general keywords, which are still important:
- Terms from the world of music, such as “best rapper in *your* area.”
- What people look for when they try to find artists like you.
In addition, I have included the top platforms where artists should share their music videos:
- YouTube
- Indie Music Blogs
- TikTok
- Paid Advertising
- Reddit Threads
- College Radio Stations
- Snapchat Stories
- Vevo Music
- Music Forums
After the initial video is released, gradually roll out other videos and advertising
When you finally release your primary music video, you should drop a few others to go along with it. The release of the video is not the end of the advertising campaign. There will be millions of people who have yet to see this video, even years after it was first released. Therefore you should keep promoting it.
You may produce bloopers or outtakes videos between two weeks and a month following the original video’s publication. This will add to the excitement and give supporters more of what they desire. In addition, if other promotional channels cover these outtakes, it might encourage them to talk about your original video again.
Create a ‘behind the scenes’ video that examines the process of making the music video. This is typically shared before the video to excite people about what they may expect.
You probably already know that music videos are crucial to every current musician’s promotional strategy. Making yourself visible to your audience improves your presence, makes you more approachable, and increases the likelihood that people will become your followers.
Share your music video with your current fan base and get feedback at different stages
I hope you have a small group of fans who support you by now. If so, it’s time to start promoting the video. So many artists make the blunder of just letting their fans know about a new video once, right before it’s published.
This was a golden chance that was lost.
When there is a lot of buzz about a product or service, people are more inclined to buy it. Considering the above, including fans in every step of the process is essential. Here are some possible approaches:
- Ask your fans which song you should create a music video for. Provide them with two or three options at the most.
- After picking a video, have them choose between two or three different ideas.
Take whatever option has the greatest support.
Locate Popular Music Websites and Channels, and Upload Your Video There
Remember to send your music video to channels (maybe Vevo) and relevant websites well before the release date. If you send them your music video a week before it is released, they will need more time to receive it, edit it, plan promotion, etc.
I recommend sending the video at least a month before you want it to appear. Then, you can release your music video on different platforms at the appropriate time.
Some guidelines for creating a music video
- The majority of viewers tune in only for the audio.
Keep in mind that music will be the main attraction for the majority of viewers while creating a music video. Certainly, there will be viewers who value an engaging clip. Some fans would rather see their favorite performers live than hear them on record. However, for many others, watching a music video is another convenient way to listen to their favorite songs. While a music video with a weak soundtrack won’t go viral, a popular song with a lackluster visual accompaniment will continue to be played over and over again by its devoted listeners. In terms of viewership, the music will always be the driving force.
- First 15 secs are the most crucial
You can never be sure that someone will keep watching a video to the end. Check out any Youtube page, and you’ll see that each video is surrounded by thumbnails tailored to that viewer. They may quickly be diverted to a different video at any given time. You need to get them in the first few seconds to be able to get them.
- Location is everything
Location, location, location: it’s crucial in any filmmaking, but more so in music videos. What kind of atmosphere are you hoping to set, and what would look nice surrounding you if you were performing? A fantastic setting can help you make the most of a small budget. Determine the places to which you have access. It’s a great way to boost the quality of the final output.
The ”Don’ts” of releasing a music video
And, finally, let’s talk about the ‘Don’ts’ of your music video release.
Musicians looking to maximize their chances of success while creating a music video should steer clear of certain situations. While keeping in mind all the info previously stated in this article, here are some of the most important things an artist should not do:
- Don’t be in a hurry to have the video made; it takes time to make a quality music video. It’s not worth risking quality by speeding production to meet a deadline. Plan, think through, and carry out your vision carefully. The focus should be on quality rather than speed.
- Neglect Proper Budgeting. An exciting music video is crucial, but so is keeping costs down. Don’t undervalue or overestimate the resources you’ll need. Create a sensible budget that takes into account all of your artistic needs.
- Don’t forget about the distribution plan. Releasing a music video without a distribution plan is like hosting a lavish party without inviting anybody to attend. Consider where and how you’ll share your video to get the most eyes on it. Use social media and video channels to get your music and work with influencers.
- Do not ignore the power of storytelling. A music video is more than simply visual accompaniment; it’s a chance to convey a captivating tale. Remember to add a story to your video. Make up a plot or idea that deepens the impact of your music and makes it more interesting to watch.
- You can’t ignore your audience’s engagement. Your audience is your biggest partner in sharing your music video far and wide. After the release, don’t sit back and do nothing. Please participate in conversations with your viewers, answer their questions, and prod them to share and discuss your video.
- Putting out a music video without any marketing or promotion is like giving a concert on an empty island. You shouldn’t ignore the marketing of your release. Get people talking about your video in novel ways: use social media, team up with influencers, and communicate with the media.
- Don’t just post a music video and hope for the greatest results; analytics is too important to ignore. Use analytics to determine the efficacy of your video. Keep an eye on indicators like pageviews and audience participation. Use this information to adjust your approach going forward and better meet the needs of your target audience.
By avoiding these traps, musicians may create videos with tremendous success and impact. However, to make your music video stand out from the sea of other videos, you’ll need a solid strategy, precise execution, and intelligent advertising.
The Bottom Line
You’ve already accomplished more than most musicians in the music industry if you’ve created a high-quality music video. And while that is something to be proud of, now is not the time to rest on your laurels or lose sight of your plan. Don’t release a professionally created music video quietly and unnoticed; it’s a priceless asset. Some steps in preparing a music video for a release are listed above.
So, make the effect as big as possible, and make sure that every step, from the initial release to the teasers and behind-the-scenes videos, is carefully thought out with an end goal in mind.
Good luck, Star!