Best YouTube Content Ideas for Musicians

Getting music on YouTube is a must for growing artists. By December 2023, there were around 868 million users on YouTube Music, and this number is about to reach 1 billion in 2026. Also, more than 100 million users got a YouTube Premium subscription, which allows them to have add-free music. Considering the fact that some 30-second ads can't be skipped, more users will probably get this subscription soon. 

Regardless of the genre, your music videos will receive solid engagement on YouTube, so getting your tracks on the platform is essential. Still, you don't have to limit your presence with simple video posting, as it won't help you promote your music the way you expect. To create a solid presence in the music industry and make a difference, it's essential to post engaging content and show people the value of your music. The YouTube format differs from TikTok or Instagram as the focus is on full-length video content. Does it mean you should give up posting Shorts? No, you just have to switch accents and create content for your YouTube channel in all formats. In this article, we will present some ideas for YouTube content to improve your music production. 

A table with key stats of people listening to music on YouTube

Why Is YouTube a Good Tool for Musicians?

A common misconception says artists and bands must publish only music videos on their profiles, so their pages turn into one huge playlist. Still, it's only one of the options for how to run your YouTube channel. As a musician, there's no necessity to use this platform to post only professional content. It's a great way to show how you live as an artist and how your days are going. It's not just about behind-the-scenes content on how you prepare for the shows, but how you generate ideas for new songs, how the recording goes, etc. The creative process always excites the fans, because they love to watch professionals working, editing, looking for the best ideas, etc. Some artists show this process to their fans on social media, but these platforms have limits dedicated to their formats. On YouTube, you can upload original content in full length, creating a complete story.

We can see the same format in bodybuilding, where athletes post videos sharing training and eating tips, show how they live to stay in shape and prepare for the new season, and just give people an understanding of what a sportsman's life looks like. From this angle, YouTube is not just a tool for promotion, it's a bridge between you and your audience.

What to Post on YouTube as a Musician?

Besides posting your daily life, there are some other topics you can highlight on your YouTube channel. The first option is to create music tutorials in your genre. Based on your experience, create videos explaining how you actually create your songs, what tools you use, how exactly the process goes, etc. If there is something you don't want to show (for example, your trademark methods), don't reveal it. Instead, show something that will inspire your listeners and make them wait till the next episode. A good example of such a format is a music band called Pinegrove. Their YouTube channel consists of various formats:

• Live videos.
• Song recordings, especially from the studios and apartments.
• Live streams with song playing and Q&A sessions.
• Teasers of new songs

Despite having only 67k subscribers on their YouTube channel, PinegroveBand keeps releasing content to keep their fans interested.

You can switch focus on publishing live videos on your channel. Besides making announcements and posting teasers of your future tracks, consider posting more live performance videos from recent concerts. Choose your favorite performances and publish them on YouTube. 

British singer and songwriter Celeste has several live videos on her YouTube channel, including performances from the previous years. For example, about a month ago she released several live videos from her performance back in 2021.

Live streams are also good for posting on YouTube, as it's a good option to communicate with the audience and understand your fans better. You launch a broadcast and ask people to write down their questions. You can tell about your career path, the favorite song you've ever worked on, the music artists you are willing to collaborate with, your plans for the near future, etc. The frequency of Q&A streams on YouTube depends on multiple factors, including the number of followers, your schedule, and the level of interest your fans show. Communicate via social media, so they'll let you know whether they want to have a Q&A session or not. Why it's an advantage? Because you build effective communication and show yourself from a different angle.

Personalize Your Experience on YouTube

Of of the key things you should notice before releasing content on YouTube is that your product has to be personalized. Whether it's about songwriting, creating covers, or performing in a band, everything you do has to be special. Personal storytelling allows you to stand out from the rest of the performers in your genre, so you can be easily recognized by your unique approach and tone of voice. One of the ways to personalize your content is to add trademark elements to your videos. Create a special intro and put it at the beginning of your vlogs. Use one of your songs as a background, making it even more personalized. 

In the description, add topic-related or genre-related hashtags as part of effective content marketing on YouTube. You will see how effectively you can promote your content on the platform by personalizing it and adding appropriate tags.

Is YouTube Content Good for Music Promotion?

Since you have your music published on multiple platforms, it makes sense to use all available resources to push it to the top. Even though you will post something except music videos, it will make a huge difference on the platform and for your music overall. A high level of engagement, including likes and comments, is a good way to grow your following. Moreover, you can maximize the effect by getting paid promotion services. With a Star Pack for YouTube, you receive organic views, likes, and real subscribers interested in your content. YouTube is a powerful platform for pushing your content and making a statement in the world of digital music. Still, you have to be creative and keep your content fresh to make it interesting and make another push for your music career.