Content Strategies For Songwriters & Producers
Content Strategies & Tips For Songwriters
Ready to level up your YouTube channel, build your fanbase, and connect with collaborators? Expanding your reach on YouTube centers around a strategy based on two main concepts: content creation and content curation.
- Content Curation is the practice of harnessing existing videos and examples of your work and catalog that already live on the YouTube platform to build a dynamic YouTube channel.
- Content creation involves creating and uploading original video content to your channel. Content creation takes channel customization one step beyond content curation, allowing for a deeper, more personal way to connect with those visiting your channel.
The Content Curation vs. Content Creation Playbook
Leverage your channel to build your fanbase and connect with collaborators by balancing both curated and original content.
Content Curation Thought Starters
Harness the storytelling power of relevant content already living natively across YouTube.
Travis Barker on And The Writer Is…
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Jacob Collier
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Louis Bell
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Oak Felder
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Content Creation
Upload original video content for a deeper, more personal connection with visitors.
Step 2: Upload & Optimization Checklist
Strategically organize your content to maximize discovery.
- Establish an Upload Cadence: Commit to a relatively consistent schedule. This builds anticipation and creates more pathways for new viewers to discover your catalog.
- Optimize Titles & Thumbnails: Update these during the upload flow. They are the first things potential viewers see and are critical for long-form content discovery.
- Plan Your Phases: Map out a pre-release, release day, and post-release strategy to support any new content.
- Maximize Release Day: Push your best content across all formats (Shorts, long-form, posts) on release day to make the most noise from all angles.
Pro Tip:
If you are also releasing music as an artist, you can leverage these exact same strategies for your new music releases. Keep engaging with your audience well after release day.
Step 3: Leverage YouTube Platform Features
YouTube Shorts
Use Shorts to promote your music and catalog, connect with collaborators, or share quick-hit content.
- To feature your music: Use the official song from the audio picker in the Shorts creation tool (great for featuring a co-write).
- To sync existing audio: If your clip already has music, find the song in the audio picker and sync it. You can also remix audio from a Short via the Shorts audio chip.
- Content Ideas: Share behind-the-scenes footage of song creation, quick production hacks, songwriting tips, or studio tours.
YouTube Premieres
Use Premieres to eventize the launch of your content, even if it isn't an official music video.
- To build hype: Enable the watch page and promote the Premiere on social media in advance.
- To boost engagement: Schedule the Premiere when your core audience is most active and engage with them directly in the live chat.
Step 4: Track Your Success with YouTube Analytics
Use analytics to fine-tune your strategy and maximize your impact.
- Monitor Performance: Review your data to understand where your audience comes from and identify exactly what type of content resonates the most.
- Access YouTube Studio: Visit studio.youtube.com on desktop, or access it by selecting your profile picture and clicking "YouTube Studio."
- Go Mobile: Download the YouTube Studio App to track insights on the go.
