You Created a Music Video, What Happens Next?

So, you have just created your music video. The song is just right and the edits could not get any better.

You’re hyped up to release it but WAIT, RIGHT THERE!

The hard work is not over yet! While the music video may be complete or in the finishing stages, it’s important to use the correct release strategies. In order maximize your success we have come up with some guidelines to follow when it comes to releasing your next music video.

We’re here to help with your music video release strategy.

Choose Release Date

When it comes to picking the release date of your music video, it is super important to not rush the process. While it is all very exciting and you may feel pressed to get it out ASAP, do not make that your priority. The planning involved should allow for some time to do appropriate promotions online. By doing this you are only adding to the suspense and creating a larger hype around the release date.

Give your fans something to look forward to! Also note that this should be something you coordinate with your marketing team and management.

Consider reviewing the times of day that your fans are most active on social media and save the date!  Using algorithms from your Facebook page or business Instagram account is a  great way to find this kind of information.

Promote that Sh*t

Okay social media gurus, now is your time to shine! Promoting your release is key to building up a hype and creating a larger following prior to releasing the new video.  By including all of your social media platform (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.) you can expand your promotion efforts to the largest obtainable audience.

Your goal should be to maximize engagement, meaning fans are liking, commenting, and reposting your content. From teaser posters to creative online statuses, the sky is the limit when it comes to promoting your video. Consider using contest giveaways to increase user activity and don’t forget to use the same hashtag throughout!

Press Coverage and Ads

While you can get a fair amount of promoting done through your own social media channels, it can never hurt to get a little back up from the pros! When considering press options, it’s important to review your press list and carefully select media outlets that you find most beneficial to this particular release. This means analyzing past albums, genres, and videos that they have been apart of the release process for to get an understanding about their general audiences.

When considering advertisement options, most users look to YouTube and Vevo to find the option most suitable for their release. Depending on your budget and other promotional needs, you can spend around ten dollars and already have a thousand people viewing your content!

Keep the Good Times Rolling!

While the initial release date may be one of the most exciting parts about your new video, it’s important to ensure everlasting hype around your new video or any content you release as an artist. By continuing to promote weeks, months, or even years after the initial release means more exposure to fans and more money for you.

For example, you can post on your social media pages when your video reaches a certain amount of views, thanking those who helped you make it to where you are now! Not only will this type of content keep your fans interested while you are in between releases, it will also help you continue to profit from royalties!

How to use SoundCloud as a Marketing Tool

Let’s say you’ve got your marketing schedule for the year polished and ready to go… Kudos! Now, I assume there are some times in your schedule where you’ll be touring, doing local shows, recording music etc., where you aren’t actively releasing anything new. So, how can you keep your fans engaged during that time? SoundCloud is possibly the easiest marketing tool out there for independent musicians on a budget.

Here’s how to use it…

How to Use SoundCloud as a Marketing Tool

Millions of SoundCloud creators share their music to more than 175 million people every month. Considering that SoundCloud offers its users over 200 million tracks to play around with, its success is no surprise. And giving artists the ability to spread their creations across the globe is a major factor too.

Express your creative freedom

Especially for hip-hop and electronic/dance genres, SoundCloud is the perfect tool to keep fans engaged outside of and in-between official releases. Because these genres traditionally rely heavily on compilations, mixtapes, and collaborations, (which are SoundCloud’s bread and butter) this gives artists the ability to be somewhat experimental in regard to what they release.

If you’ve got a mix that doesn’t necessarily fit within the scope of your official release schedule (ex: B-sides, older tracks, etc.), SoundCloud is a great place to let it out. Plus, your fans will swoon over getting something uniquely exclusive from you.

————

Keep the momentum going

It can be difficult to see long-term consistency without an extremely dedicated fanbase. It can be even more difficult to see tangible growth without a consistent release plan/schedule. Using SoundCloud to incorporate unused content into free releases on the platform can help avoid any long stretches of perceived “downtime” where an artist is recording, touring, etc.

Spread the love across multiple platforms

If you’ve got an impressive Instagram following with a lot of engagement, releasing a “secret” or bonus track via SoundCloud and announcing it over Instagram will help funnel your existing fanbase to that single release and potentially grow your following there. Doing this over the course of multiple release cycles can result in massive upticks in engagement on SC, which in turn can be used to direct people to the “official” releases on the DSPs.

Success doesn’t come over night. It requires consistent marketing, creative problem solving and the motivation to persevere. With SoundCloud, you can do more than just create. We’ve seen that as the platform has grown, so have the opportunities.

Differences Between Vevo and YouTube Videos

So you’re planning to release a new music video. Congrats! Now, it’s time to decide where to drop it. Both YouTube and Vevo offer many benefits, but they’ve each got their own downsides to consider. Before you release anything, here are some major differences between YouTube and Vevo to consider…

Differences Between Vevo and YouTube Videos

Before we dive in…

The biggest difference between YouTube and Vevo is the simple fact that YouTube is limitless in terms of the type of video content on the platform. Vevo, on the other hand, is solely for music content. Even though yes, your video is competing with a vastly larger number of videos on YouTube, that doesn’t mean it’s capability for exposure is less. By ensuring your channel and videos are optimized correctly, you can increase the visibility of your videos.

YouTube

1. Access to Creator Studio

• View, analyze and report your channel’s analytics.
• Manage and optimize your individual videos with tags, cards, end screens, etc.
• Set channel and video upload defaults.

2. Total ability to quickly and easily manage all parts of your channel at any time.

3. Ability to upload and take down videos quickly.

4. Livestream capabilities

5. Interaction with your YouTube fans through likes, comments and messages

6. No consideration for feature placement on Vevo. 

7. Less likely for videos to go viral unless optimized correctly

Vevo

Vevo is the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform with over 23 billion monthly views globally. Vevo delivers a personalized and expertly curated experience for audiences to explore and discover music videos, exclusive original programming and live performances from the artists they love on mobile, web and connected TV.

1. Cannot update channel yourself, but can have the below details updated through your distributor per request

• Artist image
• Channel Banner
• Channel Trailer Video
• Channel Description (found under “About” tab)
• Social Media Links
• Featured Channels
• Google Analytics Tracking ID
• Playlist Creation

2. Makes you look more “legit” as an artist

3. Doesn’t guarantee more exposure, but has more potential to go viral

4. More likely to get your video featured in a well-exposed playlist, i.e. Vevo playlists

5. Video content lives on Artist’s official Vevo branded YouTube channel

Can you release on both platforms?

Yes!

In fact, we recommend it. — Odds are your only content on YouTube isn’t solely official content like music videos, track videos, behind the scenes videos, or lyric videos (all of which that can be uploaded to your Vevo channel upon approval, as well). You’ve probably uploaded to your personal channel full live performances, teaser videos, fan contests, or whatever else that has made sense for your brand as an artist.

• If you decide you want to keep your personal YouTube channel with all of these videos and then get a Vevo channel created to release more official content, you can easily link them both.

If you decide to do this though, keep in mind that your views will be divided if you upload the video separately to your personal YouTube channel in addition to your Vevo channel. This could also potentially affect your monetization opportunities since all channels must meet YouTube’s guidelines for monetization.

Because of this, we recommend that you distribute your official music videos with a distributor to be placed on your Vevo channel. Then, make a Vevo playlist on your personal YouTube channel. By doing it this way, your views won’t be divided between both channels, and you’ll also drive more traffic to your Vevo channel.

In Conclusion…

We hope that this article has given you some things to consider, and will give you the direction you need to optimize your next video release.

• Need help with YouTube Optimization? No problem. // Check out our YouTube Optimization Service to learn how to get started.
• Interested in getting a Vevo channel started?//  Check out our Music Video Distribution Service.

Good luck!

Press Release Definition — What Exactly is a Press Release, Anyway?

Whether you’re completely new to PR or been in the industry for a while, the definition of a press release remains unclear, or even a mystery to many. Read on, and we’ll explain what a press release actually is and what’s worth remembering.

Press release definition

A press release is a tool made to announce something that is newsworthy in the most objective way possible. The whole purpose of a press release is to get coverage and get noticed by a target audience.

Some claim that the press release is dead. They say it’s boring, targeted to a wrong group of people or just way too promotional. But is it always the case? Before we dispel some of these myths, let’s start with defining what a ‘press release’ is and what it really does.

The whole idea behind the press release is communication. It can be written, recorded or even shown – the form doesn’t matter as long as it’s effective. It is a tool made to announce something that is newsworthy in the most objective way possible.  The whole purpose of a press release is to get coverage and get noticed by a target audience.

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Well, the problem is that the press release is tricky and often misunderstood by both PR specialists and the audience. To be able to write an effective material, it is necessary to understand its structure:

Wikipedia’s press release definition

It’s also worth noting what Wikipedia has to say on the subject. According to them, “a press release is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something ostensibly newsworthy. Typically, they are mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to assignment editors and journalists at newspapers, magazines, radio stations, online media, television stations or television networks.”

What is the most important thing about a press release?

When writing a press release, it’s important to start with basic questions like who did what, when and where it happened, what it was for, etc. Keeping this form makes it easier to judge whether the material is newsworthy or not. If it’s not, without any media attention it will just get lost on the web.

The crucial part of getting coverage is directing the release to the right group of people. The research on the topic shows that 67% of journalists claim they receive irrelevant materials not in the area of their work or interest. So if a journalist specializes in technology, do not send a release about a new line of cosmetics – he won’t even bother to read it.

The press release is supposed to be kept simple and short – and preferably in a form that allows copying and pasting. Journalists are always busy, and if they have to read and edit text that is too long, they just might give up before ever starting. Experts admit that they want releases to be clear and straight to the point, without waffling over the topic. A release that is written in the form of a finished article has bigger chances of wide distribution.

What should you remember about the press release?

The next time somebody asks you “what is a press release?”, remember that the press release is not made only for getting press — it’s also a great tool that can help your SEO. It’s not only an advertising tool, but rather a means designed to communicate what is going on with the company. As long as the authors remember that, they can create effective content that will be noticed by their audience.

How to Get More Views on TikTok as a Musician

Everyone wants to know the secret to TikTok fame. Musicians all over the world have gained major exposure from even a single video’s success. Although some people have found this success completely by chance, there are things you can do to boost your chances. Want to learn how? Here’s how to get more views on TikTok as a musician…

How to Get More Views on TikTok as a Musician

Hook Your Viewers

To hook your viewers and stop them from scrolling, you need to engage them in the first 3 seconds. TikTok favors videos that people have watched all the way through. That means the more people who watch your videos from start to finish, the more people the algorithm will share it with. To do this, you need to incentivize engagement.

There are lots of ways to do this. For example, you can:

• Add suspense by asking a question in the description.
• Tell a story, but don’t reveal anything until the end.
• Create a series. (part 1, part 2, part 3)
• Intrigue viewers with text overlays like “Wait for it…”
• Make sure your videos are visually on point. (good lighting, aesthetically pleasing background, etc.)

Take some time to explore the platform yourself and take note of what catches your eye. Practice makes perfect!

Use TikTok’s In-House Features

TikTok’s algorithm picks up users who utilize their in-house features (ex. green screen, transitions) over those who don’t. You can find “Effects” to the left of the record button. To the right of the record screen, you’ll find the tools and filters you can use as well.

Be Consistent

If you want to build a loyal following, you need to post every single day. If you ask any successful TikToker, they’ll all tell you the same thing. Consistency is key.

This post, “How To Figure Out The Best Times to Post on TikTok” can help you out here. It breaks down exactly how to figure out the best times for you.

——

Learn more…

How the TikTok Algorithm Works

How to Get Your Music on TikTok

How to Use TikTok’s Video Editor for Instagram Stories

——

Hashtags

Hashtags are important on basically every platform. They work by showing your video to people who have also engaged with those same hashtags. So, if your video is a duet and you tag “duet” in your description, TikTok will show your video to people who have liked, shared, and used that hashtag.

Luckily, figuring out how to choose the right hashtags is easy. The trick is finding which hashtags are trending right now. — To do this, all you have to do is tap on the “Discover” tab, scroll through and choose a trending hashtag, then add it to your video description.

Interact with Creators in your Niche

Finding your niche is important in anything you do. It helps engage a more loyal audience and helps you secure yourself in a more manageable, less saturated space. For example, some people post street style videos, some people post alternative covers of popular songs, some people even just post their top 10 favorite songs of different genres every day. Whatever makes you unique, run with it. There is always an audience out there who likes whatever you do.

To find your niche on TikTok, consider your social presence on your other platforms. If you have a secure following on Instagram that revolves around your house music loving/DJ lifestyle, translate that onto your TikTok. When you already have a following elsewhere, it makes it even easier to get fans from those platforms to check out your TikTok, too.

Once you’ve found your tribe, start interacting with other creators who match your energy. Aside from commenting and liking their posts, “duet” their videos, too.

To make a Duet video:

• Tap Share, located at the bottom of the right side panel.
• Tap Duet.
• Begin recording alongside the selected video!

——

Here are some extra tips and tricks from the pros:

• Even if your video is just you talking and there’s no music in the background, add trending audio as the “sound” and put the volume to 0. — This will maximize your reach and show your videos to people looking up videos with that trending sound.
• Interact with your comments and ask questions in the comment section after posting a video. — Start a conversation!
• Don’t use more than 6 hashtags at a time. (As a rule of thumb, stick with 2 trending, 2 viral, 2 niche / video specific tags.)

——

In Conclusion…

If you want more views on TikTok, engagement is everything. To increase engagement, you need quality content that hooks viewers into watching until the end. Once you’ve figured out your niche and gotten used to the platform, practice makes perfect. Be consistent with your efforts and you’ll see your views start to climb in no time.

Good luck!

8 Ways Musicians Can Make More Money in 2021

The days of solely relying on music sales and touring to bring in the big bucks are long gone. Don’t wait until January 1 to start planning your year. Here are 8 ways your music can make you more money in 2021 right here. Let’s dive in…

8 Ways Musicians Can Make More Money in 2021

Streaming

Having your music on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, etc. is a no brainer. Luckily, we’ve got a bunch of articles to guide you through getting your music on these platforms and how to optimize their performance.

• Where Does The Money from Master Recordings Come From?
• How to Get More Spotify Streams
• How to Claim your Label/Artist Pages

Publishing Royalties

Royalty collection is a complex business. The two most common music publishing royalty types are performance royalties and mechanical royalties. With our Symphonic Publishing Administration, these would be the two main types of royalties we’ll collect for you.

Even though we do all the complex administrative work for you, it’s vital to understand how they work and how you can best leverage them to maximize your earnings. Not sure if you’re already earning these? // This post breaks it down for you.

Want to learn more?

• Types of Publishing Deals and How They Work
• Typical Music Rights And Royalties For Creative Licensing

Live Streaming

Since the beginning of quarantine, live streaming has taken over the music scene. All the while, artists have become more creative and tech savvy than ever. Don’t get left behind! With in-person shows at bay, live streaming is the next best thing.

If you’re looking to get sustainable results by monetize your streams, you’ll need to get creative.

Here are some ideas to help you out:

• Host a Live Q&A // Promote an upcoming release by turning on a live stream and hanging out with your fans for 30 minutes. All you gotta do is hop online and start a conversation. Hosting a Q&A not only gives your fans a chance to get personal with you, it also gives you valuable feedback on what your fans want to see in the future or even which songs they want on the next album! — You get free, instant data AND the revenue from ticket sales & tips.
• Plan a Series of Live Streams // Erykah Badu stepped it up and created “Quarantine Concert Series: The Apocalypse” from her home in Dallas. The series is made up of three separate streams, all unique and full of life. For price, she charged $1 for the first, $2 for the second and $3 for the third. — Streaming is not limited to sitting down in a single room and turning on a laptop camera. Get creative!
• Stream Behind-The-Scenes // Give your fans a backstage experience they can’t get anywhere else. Show your creative process, you making beats, ask and answer questions, maybe even take some song requests and jam out with your fans. Keep it engaging, down to earth, and personal. Making this connection will foster more dedicated fans who will support you in the long run

This article, “Creative Ways To Monetize your Live Streams”,  breaks it down even further.

YouTube

YouTube is another platform that continues to garner major success for independent artists. The easiest way to earn money on YouTube is with Content ID, a digital fingerprinting system that content creators (like record labels and artists) can use to easily identify and manage their copyrighted content on YouTube.

• If you’re a Symphonic client, you would upload your music to us and we’d go ahead and upload it to YouTube’s Content ID system. When that happens, any song that is uploaded is compared against audio and video files that have been uploaded by many users all over the world.
• If a match is found, we will monetize the video that has been matched and claimed, thus bringing you more royalties and ensuring that your works aren’t being illegally shared and monetized by others.

Video Games

The most engaging video games have great soundtracks to go with them. There’s a reason players get so immersed in their virtual worlds, and the music is a major part of that. — Consider putting out an instrumental version of one of your best tracks just for gaming playlists.

Merch 

Merch has always been a key source of revenue for independent musicians. Although live shows aren’t what they used to be, live streams are a great opportunity to keep your merch sales going strong. // Check out, “How To Sell More Merchandise During Your Live Streams” to learn how.

Sharpen up your merch game with these helpful resources:

• The Best Places To Order Custom Merch Online
• How to Sell Merch on Amazon
• Instagram + Merchbar Integration

Sync Licensing

Any time your song is featured in a TV show, movie, commercial, or any visual media, that’s called a “sync placement”. In addition to performance royalties you earn for airing on TV, sync placements also pay an upfront “licensing fee”, which is determined based on the song’s market value as well as the various details of how the music was used in the production. // “How To Optimize Your Songwriting For Sync” can help increase your chances of landing placements.

Micro-Sync

Just as an artist would be paid licensing fees and royalties for a placement in a TV show or film, they would also be owed “micro-sync” fees and royalties for smaller features.

Some examples of the types of common micro sync placements include:

• User generated content, i.e. YouTube
• Social media posts
• Internal company videos
• Video presentations at events and conferences
• Professional wedding videos
• Podcasts

In Conclusion…

2020 has been hard for all of us. With this crazy year finally coming to an end, its time to look towards the future with hopeful eyes. Whatever the New Years brings, move forward with optimism! If you made it through a global pandemic, you can make it through anything.