Why Music Videos Are Important for Independent & Unsigned Artists

If you're an independent artist, you know that it can be tough to get your music heard. These days, it's more important than ever to have a strong online presence, and one of the best ways to achieve that is by creating great music videos.

What is one of the greatest advantages of music videos? Well, a well-made music video can help you create a buzz around your music and help you connect with new fans.

In this article, we'll discuss the power of music videos and why music videos are important for independent and unsigned artists and give you some tips on how to make yours stand out from the crowd.

Why Music Videos Are Important for Independent & Unsigned Artists

5 Reasons Why Music Videos Are Important 

  1. Music videos are a great way to promote your music and connect with new fans.
  2. They can help you build a strong online presence and stand out from the crowd.
  3. A good music video can make your song more popular and increase its exposure.
  4. They're a great way to show off your creative skills and express your musical style.
  5. They are the industry standard for a serious musician.

These are just some of the reasons why music videos are important. If you're an independent artist, we encourage you to create a buzz around your music by making great music videos and utilizing creative social media marketing tactics to build your fanbase.

Promote Your Music and Connect with New Fans

live footage to use in music video

Think about it, why do music videos have so many views? With YouTube being the second most popular search engine in the world, it's no surprise that music videos are a great way to promote your music and connect with new fans.

Have you ever discovered an amazing artist and rushed over to Youtube to see and hear more? You aren't the only one who does that!

And how disappointing is it when you get there and they haven't uploaded anything but that one song you had already discovered? Or when you want to know more about them, their personality, style, etc., and all you can find is a couple of blurry, low-quality live performance videos?

You want to put your best foot forward and make an amazing first impression. And the same goes for any artist who wants to be successful. You have to give people a good reason to care about you and your music.

That's why it's important to use video as your go-to medium, wherever possible.

Stand out From the Crowd

recording a music video

The average hobbyist musician isn't going out of their way to make music videos or build their brand. They may just record a semi-decent quality MP3 and throw it up there, expecting very little from their little efforts.

A musician who is serious about their craft understands the importance of making a professional music video, what it does for their brand and marketing, and how they can showcase their uniqueness.

It's surely one way to set yourself apart from the crowd and make people take you more seriously as an artist.

Make Your Song More Popular and Increase Exposure

When your song is attached to a visually appealing music video, it has a much higher chance of going viral and being shared by music fans all over the world.

This is especially true if your video is creative, funny, or heartwarming. A good quality music video will also help you rank higher in search engines, which means more people will be able to find and enjoy your music.

It's a win-win situation!

Further to the point on being shared – when you make a music video and you clip it down to various lengths and sizes using Canva, you then create a new piece of content you can share on your other social media pages.

This also makes it easier for your fans and supporters to share on visual social platforms, too.

Think about reducing friction. People want to be able to share you but nobody wants to go through the trouble of making their own graphics just to add your audio to it (most would scroll past that anyway)

Show Off Your Creative Skills and Express Your Musical Style

You get to work closely with your music video producer and director to create a visual that perfectly represents your song and the overall vibe you're going for.

It's a great opportunity to let your creative side shine through and express yourself in ways that wouldn't be possible with just an audio recording alone.

Plus, it can help people better understand the story or message behind your song.

Your fans get a deeper look at the artist behind the artist.

Industry Standard

As I've already mentioned, in this day and age it's not enough to just create a great song – you need a great music video to go along with it.

It's the industry standard, unfortunately. If you're an unsigned artist or independent musician, then you really can't afford NOT to have one.

Your competition is already making them, so why not level the playing field and give yourself a better chance at success?

How Much Do Music Videos Cost?

music video producer editing music video

Have a browse through our music video service directory and chat with some of the producers to get an idea of how much a music video will cost.

It really depends on what you want, but most producers offer packages that include a certain number of shots, locations, editing, and post-production.

You can also tailor the package to your specific needs and budget.

The good thing is, gone are the days when you could only get a music video done if you were signed to a major label. There are packages available to suit every budget, so there's no excuse not to have one!

If you are creative enough or fancy a challenge you can even make them yourself – there are an abundance of video editing tools and effects available (but please keep it simple if this is not your forte (or pay the expert!)).

Tips for Making a Great Music Video

If you're planning to make a music video, here are some tips to help you make it stand out:

  • Keep it simple: Don't try to cram too much into your video. Keep it simple and focus on the essentials.
  • Tell a story: A good music video should have a narrative or tell a story that complements the song.
  • Keep it short: Music videos shouldn't be too long. A good length is around three to four minutes.
  • Make it visually appealing: Use creative visuals and colors to make your video stand out.
  • Use footage of live performances: If you have footage of live performances, consider using it in your video. It's a great way to connect with your fans.

We hope you enjoyed this blog post about why music videos are important for independent and unsigned artists. If you have any questions or would like to share your own tips, please leave a comment below!

Remember – “Video killed the radio star”

Thanks for reading!

About Author

Arielle P

Arielle P

Songwriter | Music Producer | Engineer.

With a background in music production and a strong passion for education, Arielle is dedicated to helping emerging artists navigate the music industry. She has worked with a diverse range of artists, from indie rock bands to well-known hip-hop and grime artists. Arielle's unique approach to teaching focuses on empowering artists to take control of their brand, ensuring they retain creative ownership throughout their journey. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with new sounds in her home studio and sharing her insights through music production tutorials and workshops.

📧 Email Arielle