What video content works best for music artists?

Hey friends!

Today we’re going to talk about what video content works for music artists?

Specifically, what types of video works for organic purposes and/or for running ads. Nowadays it’s not optional to have video content, and most video content is shared in vertical formats in short lengths. You need video content for organic social media posts but also for running ads.

Full Length Video Content

First we’re going to go over full length video content. Typically this is the length of the song, made in a horizontal 16:9 format and uploaded to platforms like YouTube and/or Facebook.

Music Videos

Everyone knows about music videos. They’re often very expensive and time consuming to make, but when done right can be just as artistically satisfying as the music itself.

Music videos allow you to tell a story and show off your brand. The perfect music video is entertaining in it’s own right, and allows a potential fan to not only discover the music but understand the entire ethos of the artist.

Often I tell artists not to bother with music videos if they’re new. Largely due to the fact the music video will often cost thousands of dollars, and then you’ll also have to market the video in addition to marketing the song. That’s why I made this video:

If you have a music video and are looking for someone else to run YouTube / Google ads on it, we can run them for you. Or you can learn how to do it yourself here.

Lyric Videos

Lyric videos are much cheaper than music videos, in the realm of hundreds of dollars instead of thousands of dollars. While not as ‘impressive’ as a music video, lyric videos are a low-budget way of having a video for your song that still feels exciting to watch.

In some genres lyric videos are more or less popular. But almost every genre has popular artists that release lyric videos at least occasionally (assuming the genre has vocals of course).

We actually offer a lyric video service for under $200, using hand crafted 2D matte paint layers animated in 3D software to create a unique look. Check it out here.

Visualizers

In some genres music visualizer videos popular but in others they’re kind of strange. However they’re super cheap. DistroKid can make you a visualizer using their Vizzy tool for less than $10. Even going on Fiverr you can find freelancers to make these videos for as low as $10-$25 as well.

If you had the choice of uploading a static artwork video or a tasteful visualizer video, i’d always choose the visualizer. But i’d choose basically any other style of video creative over a visualizer.

Live Videos

Another style of video you can do is performing live on camera. This can take a few forms:

• Recording the performance at an actual show, play to a click track and sync it to the studio audio for a ‘live music video’.

• Record an actual live show, use the live audio.

• Do a studio performance with however much editing you prefer.

For a lot of artists I think a studio performance is a good pick. This way you can multitrack, comp vocals, use pitch correction, processing etc. You can capture the essence of a performance but still polish it if needed.

Clips Video Content

Alright now lets talk about short form video clips. This is what you would share on platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, Meta ad campaigns etc.

Artwork

Artwork videos are simple, but they can work for ads in certain cases. All they are is the artwork of the song animated with the music playing. I wouldn’t post artwork videos as organic posts, but for ads they can work.

Topic

Topic videos tie your song in with hobbies, activities and interests that people already have. You wouldn’t use these as organic posts, but for ads they can work wonders.

Typically you’d run these as ads through social accounts that are not by the artist, unless you get the language right. These are also very effective ads for growing playlists with ads as well.

Music Video

With this style of video clip you get your full music video and cut it into clips. In my experience this tends to not do as well as some of the other video types listed here. I think it’s because music videos often look very polished, which makes them come across to much like an ad on social media.

Performance

These types of clips can work well for both organic and ad use cases. Overall i’d say this is potentially the most popular and maybe even most effective format.

This is basically just getting any type of performance video you have, actually live or lip synced, with or without the studio audio, and cutting it into snippets to share on socials or use as ads. Right now this works quite great for both ads and organic posts for most genres.

Stock Footage

With this style of video you grab some stock footage and sync it to your music. Can be done with or without artwork, logos lyrics etc. Pexels is a great free site for finding stock footage.

How To Make Video Clips?

I typically edit video in Premiere Pro, but many also use After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Da Vinci Resolve (free), CapCut or Canva. If you aren’t familiar with video editing you’re definitely going to experience a learning curve. However, learning to edit videos yourself would be a great skill to have.

If you don’t have the time (or just don’t want to learn how), we can create / edit your videos for you. Click here to check out our Video Clips service, and see the 7 different types of visuals we can make for you.

New Content

Here are two campaigns that each had a $1,500 Facebook ad campaign to promote a song on Spotify - let's see how many streams they got.

Learn how to TRIPLE your SubmitHub approval rates. I've run dozens of SubmitHub campaigns and i've found most artists aren't using the platform correctly. If you've had bad results using SubmitHub in the past, this video is for you.

Whenever you’re ready, there are 4 ways I can help you:

1. My courses. Spotify Growth Machine teaches you how to use Facebook ads to promote your music on Spotify. YouTube Growth Machine teaches you how to grow a YouTube channel organically and how to use YouTube ads. Fan Growth Machine teaches you how to build a website, online store and grow your email list.

2. My ad agency specializes in running Facebook conversion ads to promote your music on Spotify.

3. Website / Store / Funnels. MusicFunnels is the best all-in-one platform for music artists to make a website, online store, sales funnels and build their mailing list.

4. 1-on-1 consulting. You can book 1-hour calls with myself or my team here.

My Links:

• 🚀 Spotify Growth Machine Course

• 🏆 Hire us to run your ads

• 🌍 MusicFunnels - Best website / store / funnels for music artists (get your 14-day FREE trial!)

• 🎬 YouTube Growth Machine

• Fan Growth Machine

• 🧑‍💻 Consultations 

• ⌨️ Chat in the community (FREE)

• 🎬 Animated lyric videos

• 🎬 Get 15% off Melodist music distribution with code ANDREW15 here

Discount / Affiliate Links:

• ►► Hypeddit Free Trial

• ►► Smart Noise Free Trial

• ►► FeatureFM - use code ASOUTH30 for 30% off annual plans!

• ►► Get 10% off Artist.Tools here 

If you’d rather just purchase the e-book, or physical book or audiobook you can do so here.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Music Marketing Monday! Please give your feedback using the poll below.

** There are affiliate links on this site, meaning I may receive a kickback when you purchase a product or service using my links at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’d recommend to friends, but i’m obligated to inform you that these affiliate links are present. Overall affiliate income is not my focus and is a relatively small part of my income.

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