2+ billion users. YouTube will have 2+ billion users by 2023. That’s right, just behind Facebook and the second most popular social media platform on the planet. It’s also owned by Google, the most popular website on the web.
YouTube has implemented many features to make it a platform that is essential for musicians and artists who want to promote themselves. These include YouTube For Artists, a built-in Analytics section, and customizable profile options. Why would music artists not want to benefit from this type of promotion? You’d be foolish not to. If you are reading this, then we know that you are not a silly person.
How to promote music on YouTube
Why is video so important to promote your music?
You can earn money every time someone views your music video.
Remember that Ditto can get your music videos onto Vevo. This puts you in a better position to gain more views, engagement, and potential royalties from people who watch your videos.
Here are 12 ways you can boost your YouTube music and visual presence.
Optimize your profile’s first impressions count. Big-time.
Take the time to ensure that your YouTube channel looks good and is easy to navigate.
Check out our handy checklist for the basics.
Has your channel got:
A well-designed and optimized sized YouTube banner image
The perfect profile picture or logo
Well-organized Content – i.e., Content arranged in playlists or sections according to specific types of videos (e.g., ‘official music videos,’ ‘official remixes,’ & “live performances”).
Links to social media accounts and your official website
A description of your channel in the ‘About” section, i.e., A clear statement of your voice and mission as an artist.
Create high-quality thumbnails using apps such as Canva and Adobe
You can see that Becky Hill’s YouTube channel is up to standard.
Banner, profile image, and social links
Organized channel content and quality thumbnails
The aesthetics of your onscreen Content can make the difference between viewers staying on your channel to mosey about or leaving the moment they step through the door.
Spread the word
You shouldn’t neglect your social media strategy just because you want to build an audience on YouTube.
Instead, it would help if you took advantage of the online groups and communities to meet new people and interact with them about different topics.
Some of the most popular community groups online are SoundCloud and Reddit. Reddit, for instance, allows you to join subreddits aligned with your musical style or genre, as well as more general ones such as ‘r/listen this.’
Consider how you can add value to this group dynamic. Does your video address themes or topics important to this community or group? It’s fantastic if it does! Upload your video, encourage others to watch it, and upload an attractive thumbnail.
Be on all major social media platforms to expand your reach and create buzz around new projects or developments. Share music videos, of course.
You can create teaser videos for your social media, such as 15-second Instagram stories or 30-second Facebook posts.
Justin Bieber created a teaser video of his 2012 song “Boyfriend” and posted it on his social media channels and his official YouTube.
This will give people a preview of your video, building excitement and encouraging them to visit your YouTube channel for the full version when it is released!
Similar channels to interact with
Engaging and interacting with similar channels is one of the best ways to increase engagement.
To be effective, you can’t just promote yourself. It would help if you had others to partner with to add value to your offer.
Target similar channels because if people subscribe to them and post music similar to yours, then you have found your audience!
Find channels dedicated to your music style and treat their Content with respect.
Search YouTube for similar artists and general music vibes.
If your music is Lana Del Rey-related, look for YouTube channels geared towards that sound – either indie Dreamwave or artists like Lana Del Rey.
Many channels play this type of music.
Like & Comment on Similar Artists’ YouTube Videos. Create outstanding comments that will get you noticed by other artists and YouTubers. If your comment is famous, it may be pinned at the top of the video. This will put your channel on top!
TOP TIP you can comment on the community tab of a channel to interact with its social feed!
Don’t let yourself sleep alone! It is essential to be thorough. This means provoking conversations in the comment section of your videos. There’s always something to talk about, whether it’s an old video or a new one.
Plan your videos
Create a consistent upload schedule so your fans and subscribers know when they can expect to see a new video.
It’s not about uploading videos everywhere.
Overdelivering is better than underdelivering . Don’t make yourself feel bad by posting three videos per week and then missing two because you are on tour.
You can choose how often you post videos. It’s best to upload at least one video per month so that fans will continue watching your channel while they wait for the next release.
You can see that Lil Nas X updates his YouTube channel every 3-4 weeks. He posts consistently, and fans always wonder when his next video will be released.
Posting at peak times is a great way to ensure that your videos are seen by as many people as possible, especially if they’re in different time zones. If you post your video mid-night or on a Friday night when people are out having fun, it’s hard to blame them for not watching.
If you really want to tailor your release schedule for your audience, go to the “Analytics” tab on your channel. You’ll see the breakdown of how many people watch your videos. This information can be used to determine the times and days that your videos will air. Handy, right?