When we think of YouTube, we might associate it with various roles in the music industry, but the role of a songwriter might not come to mind. However, having a YouTube channel as a songwriter or producer can be an invaluable resource for your musical career, serving as a platform to share your work, expand your audience, and unlock new professional opportunities.
Why is being on YouTube important for songwriters?
YouTube remains one of the world’s leading search engines. A common mistake professionals make is thinking their profile or creations don’t fit the platform’s format.
For instance, a songwriter might find it challenging to adapt their work to video content—this is where the real potential lies. Think of YouTube not just as a video-sharing platform but as a versatile space to optimize your reach.
From sharing songs you’ve collaborated on to showcasing your creative process, YouTube can become the perfect foundation to establish yourself as a music professional.
Setting goals as a songwriter on YouTube
Before diving into your YouTube channel, it’s crucial to set clear goals to plan your content and make the most of what the platform offers.
Some primary goals could include:
- Promotion
- Collaboration
- Engagement
- Visibility
Do you want to showcase your work? Are you seeking new collaborations or sync opportunities? Defining your objectives will help you decide what to display on YouTube.
Examples of how songwriters can use YouTube
Once you’ve identified your goals, here are some ways you can leverage your YouTube channel as a songwriter:
- Finding new collaborations and jobs
- Creating a professional portfolio to showcase and share your projects
- Using it as a promotional tool to reach new audiences
- Building a space for your fans to form a community
- Highlighting your professional journey and creative process
- Exploring other facets of your personality to connect with your audience beyond music
Maximizing YouTube’s Tools
1. Personalize Your Channel
It’s essential to develop your personal branding on YouTube. Whether you use a specific color palette or have a signature element, make sure to incorporate these into the various spaces the platform provides.
This helps followers recognize your content quickly and makes it easier for potential listeners to remember you when YouTube recommends your music.
Pro tip: if you work with others (like a manager or a co-songwriter duo), consider setting up your channel as a brand account. This allows multiple users to manage the channel through their Google accounts.
2. Leverage Sections
Sections let you organize and display your content on your channel’s homepage in a customized and professional way. You can add up to 12 sections, but we recommend selecting those that best showcase your content.
Sections you can include on your YouTube channel:
- For You: Recommends content based on user interests
- Videos: Highlights selected videos, Shorts, or live streams
- Playlists: Features one or more playlists
- Channel Members: If you have channel memberships, this section can highlight exclusive content for members
- Channels: Showcases channels you’re subscribed to
- Top Clips from the Community: Displays clips from your videos on your homepage
For example, in the Channels section, you could add artists you’ve written for or other songwriters and producers you’ve worked with.
3. Create and Organize Playlists
Playlists will be your best friend for showcasing your work as a songwriter. As noted above, personalize your playlists (titles, song order, etc.) to maximize visibility and maintain your audience’s interest.
The advantage of playlists is that you don’t need to upload a video from your own account to include it—you can add any existing public video on YouTube. So, if you’ve collaborated with a prominent artist, you can share their video in your playlist once they upload it to YouTube.
Examples of playlist ideas:
- Songs written by me
- Songs produced by me
- Covers of my works
- New compositions
- My hits
- Favorite remixes
- Featured syncs
- Interviews
- About me
Pro tip: If you want to share demos with clients, you can use YouTube by setting the video to “unlisted”. This way, only users with the link will be able to access the video.
4. Develop a Content Strategy
Remember, YouTube offers various video formats besides traditional uploads, such as YouTube Shorts or live streams.
YouTube Shorts
Depending on your goals as a songwriter, you can use YouTube Shorts to reach new audiences, share insights about your compositions, tease upcoming releases, or encourage users to create content with your music.
YouTube Live Streams
If you want to showcase a more professional side and connect with your audience on a deeper level, live streams can be a great tool. Consider analyzing one of your standout compositions, hosting a Q&A session, or offering a masterclass on the songwriting process.
5. Monetize Your Content
YouTube can become a new revenue stream for your creations. If you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program, the platform offers several ways to earn:
- Adding ads to your videos
- Channel memberships
- Super Chats during live streams
By implementing the content ideas outlined above, you can establish a strong base for earning additional income on YouTube while increasing your music’s plays and usage in videos on the platform.
To maximize your earnings, consider working with a music publisher to ensure you collect the royalties your music generates on YouTube. This way, you’ll see the benefits of actively promoting your creations while having a team protecting your copyrights.
YouTube: A Space for Limitless Creativity
YouTube offers endless possibilities to creatively boost and expand your professional career. Renowned songwriters and producers like Justin Tranter, James Fauntleroy, and WondaGurl already use YouTube in diverse ways to stand out in the music industry. Set your goals, get inspired, and start unlocking your channel’s potential.
