YouTube is a powerful platform for musicians in many ways including its strength as a streaming music service, its reach as a marketing platform and its advertising revenue. But a recent study of music fans' behavior points out that YouTube is also an important part of the customer journey to purchasing music and maybe other things as well. So musicians should make their voices heard not just on such concerns as licensing issues but on platform features as well.
The power of YouTube as an interactive streaming music service is well-established as is its potential for music marketing.
YouTube also provides revenue through advertising rev shares and links to sell music on both the original video and, though Content ID, other videos that use that music. Video annotations offer links out to monetization possibilities.
And, in a much heralded and highly overpraised move, YouTube recently added tip jars.
Song Buyers Usually Check It Out On YouTube First
YouTube also plays a role in music sales. In a report from Viacom (via Music 3.0) respondents revealed:
“83% say they make sure they really like a song before they pay for it so they won’t regret their decision later."
Reported research methods include:
“66% search for info about the song online prior to purchasing."
“87% listen to other songs from that artist prior to purchasing."
“91% listen to the song/watch the video on YouTube prior to purchasing."
So clearly what one has posted on YouTube can have a strong effect on sales. That's where a key step on the journey to a purchase can be won or lost.
YouTube is an important part of the customer journey for more than just music.
Musicians Should Seek To Influence YouTube Features
Given this importance, musicians shouldn't limit their public statements to licensing issues alone.
Instead musicians should take advantage of the fact that YouTube wants to appear to be supporting them and encourage YouTube, in a friendly responsive manner, to go beyond tip jars and not only add ecommerce services but allow for third party integration of such services.
But, however you let YouTube know what you want, don't forget to take immediate action and scrutinize your YouTube presence with an eye towards maximizing its benefits at all levels from marketing to monetization.
The power of YouTube as an interactive streaming music service is well-established as is its potential for music marketing.
YouTube also provides revenue through advertising rev shares and links to sell music on both the original video and, though Content ID, other videos that use that music. Video annotations offer links out to monetization possibilities.
And, in a much heralded and highly overpraised move, YouTube recently added tip jars.
Song Buyers Usually Check It Out On YouTube First
YouTube also plays a role in music sales. In a report from Viacom (via Music 3.0) respondents revealed:
“83% say they make sure they really like a song before they pay for it so they won’t regret their decision later."
Reported research methods include:
“66% search for info about the song online prior to purchasing."
“87% listen to other songs from that artist prior to purchasing."
“91% listen to the song/watch the video on YouTube prior to purchasing."
So clearly what one has posted on YouTube can have a strong effect on sales. That's where a key step on the journey to a purchase can be won or lost.
YouTube is an important part of the customer journey for more than just music.
Musicians Should Seek To Influence YouTube Features
Given this importance, musicians shouldn't limit their public statements to licensing issues alone.
Instead musicians should take advantage of the fact that YouTube wants to appear to be supporting them and encourage YouTube, in a friendly responsive manner, to go beyond tip jars and not only add ecommerce services but allow for third party integration of such services.
But, however you let YouTube know what you want, don't forget to take immediate action and scrutinize your YouTube presence with an eye towards maximizing its benefits at all levels from marketing to monetization.
