If you’re releasing new music, you might be wondering how to make a music video to help with your music promotion.
After all, videos are one of the most engaging ways to get listeners interested in your music.
But is it really worth it to make a music video? What does it take to make one and how can you do it as a DIY artist?
It may seem intimidating, but the good news is that creating a music video is easier than ever with all the tools available to today’s musicians.
In this article I’ll explain the basics of how to make a music video for creators of all types.
Let’s get started.
What is a music video?
A music video is a video clip that provides a visual component to a song that can be used as artistic expression or promotional material.
The original music videos were promotional clips, musical shorts and lip-synced performances that appeared on film and TV.
But the term as we know it became widely used in the 1980s to describe visual material that accompanied songs played on dedicated music broadcast channels such as MTV.
These music videos were more stylized and often featured actors and narrative scenarios in addition to staged performances and footage of the artists.
Today, music videos live primarily on video-sharing platforms like YouTube. Most music industry professionals consider them an important part of an artist’s music promotion efforts.
Most music industry professionals consider music videos an important part of an artist’s promotion efforts.
Why make a music video?
Music videos are one of the most direct ways to access listeners’ attention and give them an impression of your style as an artist.
Developing a recognizable sound is important. But visual aesthetics can be especially helpful to give listeners a better sense of your overall vibe.
Not only that, visual content is generally considered more engaging than audio alone.
Listeners are more likely to stay captivated by a multimedia experience that engages more of their senses at once.
In addition to that, videos are more shareable than audio. For this reason, online media outlets often prefer them for press coverage since they provide extra visual flare for the platform.
Finally, integrating audio and video together provides a unique opportunity to consider as an artist. It’s a fun and exciting chance to flesh out your artistic vision and explore your creativity.
Listeners are more likely to stay captivated by a multimedia experience that engages more of their senses at once.
How to make a music video
There are as many ways to make a music video as there are artists creating music.
From simple DIY footage to million dollar productions, there are endless approaches to the art form. Describing a single method wouldn’t be very helpful, so instead I’ll focus on general tips in this section.
The good news is that you don’t need to be a major label artist to create a music video that’s fun, watchable and helpful for music promotion.
With that in mind, here are my five tips to make a music video for DIY artists.
1. Be creative
The first rule of DIY music videos is to focus on creativity.
You don’t need high production values if you have a unique concept that hooks viewers and draws them in.
In fact, viral music videos have been a trend since the early era of YouTube. A classic example is the “OK Go on Treadmills” video that became one of the most shared videos on the platform.
It proved that you don’t need a massive budget to produce a video that highlights your unique aesthetic sense as an artist.
Even if you don’t create a viral sensation, focus on the uniqueness of your video’s hook. Make sure to use the resources you have in a creative way!
2. Decide on a method
Speaking of using what’s available, don’t be afraid to make a simple music video if you’re just getting started.
You don’t need high production values if you have a unique concept that hooks viewers and draws them in.
Your phone camera and some basic editing software can take you a long way if you focus on creativity as I mentioned before.
But no matter how you prefer to work, the best way to stay focused is to decide on a basic method to produce your music video.
You could shoot a traditional video with camera equipment, generate abstract visuals with software, edit found footage from the public domain or even something more exotic.
Sometimes a unique concept is directly related to the method of creating these video itself. Whether it’s a animation unique animation style or unconventional technique there are plenty of great examples out there.
3. Collaborate with others
Creating a music video is a perfect opportunity to bring new collaborators into your workflow.
Many musicians have a strong aesthetic sense in addition to their musical talent. If that describes you then now’s your chance to explore it!
But don’t worry too much if you don’t feel comfortable in this particular area.
Many visual artists and video makers are deeply inspired by music. Connecting with this type of creator can result in an incredible collaboration that benefits both parties.
If you’re not sure where to find video producers in your community, check out an online artist platform like LANDR Network.
Many visual artists and video makers are deeply inspired by music.
There you’ll find a network of professionals to help you with every aspect of musical life—including video production.
You can reach out to make connections and find the perfect collaborators to bring your unique vision to life.
4. Have fun
Lastly, DIY music production is fun, and your process for making videos should reflect that.
Even if the tone of your song and video is sad or emotional, viewers should get a sense that you enjoyed the process of making it.
Don’t take yourself too seriously! Just remember that your goal is to produce a sharable video and not a cinematic masterpiece.
If you’re nervous about making music videos, you may find this attitude takes some of the pressure off.
After all, a good music video should be a tool for promoting your music. It doesn’t have to be the last word on artistic expression.
Video age
Most musicians understand how important music videos are to modern promotion techniques.
The more types of content you can share with your audience, the more you get to engage with them.
Video is especially potent for how it can bring fans a new dimension to the experience of your music.
If you’ve made it through this guide you’ll have a great start for creating your first music video.
