Leveraging Video to Market Your Music
Video's the fastest way to connect. Fans see your raw energy, building trust quicker than text or photos. Differentiate short form for quick hooks (under 60 seconds) from long form for deeper dives (5-15 minutes).
Shoot on your phone for authenticity, edit with free apps like CapCut, and optimize for algorithms on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram Reels.
Short form: Vertical clips like lyric breakdowns, live gig snippets, or "day in the life" moments are perfect for virality.
Long form: Full acoustic sessions, behind-the-album stories, or tutorials on your gear, which rank well in searches and convert to subscribers.
Tips to leverage video effectively:
- Optimize from the start: Eye-catching thumbnails with your face/logo, keyword-rich titles like "Band X: Live From The Stone Pony!" and descriptions with timestamps/links.
- Series for retention: Create recurring formats like "Gear Breakdown Thursdays" where you show fans your current gear layout or "Fan Q&A Fridays" to keep viewers hooked and algorithms pushing your content.
- Cross-post smart: Edit once in multiple ratios (vertical for mobile, horizontal for YouTube), and add calls-to-action like "Comment your fave song below."
- Tech basics: Use natural light, stabilize your phone with a cheap tripod, and add subtitles for accessibility. Subtitles will boost your watch time by 20%.
- Pitfalls: Avoid over-editing; keep it raw to match your rock vibe; polished perfection can feel fake and tank engagement.
Lil Nas X exploded with Old Town Road via TikTok challenges: Simple horse-riding clips tied to the song sparked user-generated content, turning one video into millions of streams and a chart-topper.
Embed your standout videos in your EPK for that visual punch promoters love. See my What is an EPK post for embedding tips.
Sign up for a free membership to access all our free assets... like the EPK/Press Kit Creator; and make your digital empire rock.
Share your video ideas below in the comments (or link your latest video on YT/socials).