This guide is strictly for you, if you’re a new musician in the block trying to get started on YouTube or if you’ve been curiously searching for a “New Musician Guide To Youtube”, you’ve found the goldmine you’ve been searching for.

You must have been told, YouTube is the largest platform with the most opportunities for you if you’re a Music artist, That’s quite true, YouTube has a lot of opportunities for new musicians like yourself.

Been a platform where even big musicians like Taylor swift have been able to grow 60 million subscribers, and Justin Bieber with over 74 million subscribers…

You can start to build your music career with YouTube and in some years from you you can also begin to boast of over 1 million subscribers (and that’s actually a big deal) Now we know YouTube works exceptionally well for musicians, especially new artists, but how do you get started?

DISCLAIMER: This article is not for you, if you’re trying to find, how to optimize your music video on YouTube, or a quick read on YouTube music video promotion.

We wrote this article to answer questions like,

1. How Do I Become a Musician on YouTube?
2. How Do Musicians Make Money on YouTube?
3. How can I make my music go viral on YouTube?
4. How do I get my music noticed on YouTube? …and so much more

If any of the above questions seems like what you’re interested in, read on.

HOW TO BECOME A MUSICIAN ON YOUTUBE

While YouTube has a program called YouTube For Artist, where they make resources and tools available for musicians to thrive on the platform, when it comes to becoming a musician on YouTube, it starts with you creating a channel (even the YouTube for artist program requires that you have a channel)

THE 2 TYPES OF CHANNELS ON YOUTUBE

YouTube offers two main types of channels, each serving distinct purposes for different user needs:.

1. Personal (Standard) Channel : A personal channel is designed for individual users who want to upload, curate, and interact with videos on a personal level. This type of channel is commonly used by people who create content for fun, vlog, share hobbies, or explore YouTube casually. Some interesting features are,

Customization: Users can personalize their channel with profile and banner images, set a unique name, and organize their content into playlists.

Engagement Tools: Personal channels allow users to post comments, like videos, and subscribe to other channels. There’s also access to community posts for channels with over 500 subscribers

Monetization: These channels can join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) once they meet specific criteria (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year). With YPP, creators can earn from ads, memberships, Super Chats, and more.

Analytics: Personal channels have access to YouTube Analytics, allowing users to track viewership, engagement, audience demographics, and revenue (if monetized).

A personal YouTube channel is suitable for: Independent creators, hobbyists, vloggers, and anyone looking to share content under their own name.

2. Brand Channel: A brand channel is intended for businesses, organizations, or individuals who wish to manage their presence on YouTube as a brand or professional entity. It’s particularly useful for collaborative teams or businesses where multiple people need access to channel management. Some of the interesting features are…

Multiple Managers: Unlike personal channels, brand channels can have multiple users with various access levels (owners, managers, and communication managers). This makes it easier for companies to delegate content uploading, community management, and analytics tracking without sharing one login

Custom Branding: Brand channels often focus on creating a cohesive look across videos, with custom banners, thumbnails, and logos. The channel name can reflect the brand’s name, and all videos contribute to brand consistency.

Advanced Analytics: Brand channels get insights into deeper analytics, which are essential for tracking marketing metrics and audience engagement across different demographics.Dedicated URL: Brand accounts may qualify for a custom YouTube URL, helping audiences recognize and remember the brand easily.

Additional Features for Businesses: Some brand channels have access to additional tools that align with business needs, such as ad management integration for YouTube advertising, enhanced comment moderation options, and performance tracking through Google Analytics.

A branded channel is suitable for: Companies, organizations, influencers with team members, agencies managing client accounts, and businesses looking to strengthen their brand presence on YouTube.

Both types of channels have access to the main features YouTube offers (uploads, playlists, community tab, analytics), but brand channels provide more flexibility for organizations that need multiple managers and an identity distinct from an individual user.

So, when it comes to becoming a Music artist on YouTube it starts with the type of channel you want to have..

HOW TO SETUP YOUR YOUTUBE MUSIC VIDEO CHANNEL

For a musician a branded YouTube channel is generally the better choice. Here’s why:

1. Brand Building: A branded channel gives you the flexibility to build your artist name as a recognizable brand. This is especially valuable as your fan base grows and your music is recognized beyond a personal identity.

2. Multiple Managers: With a branded channel, you can assign roles to other people (like a manager, promoter, or team members) without giving them full control over your account. This is useful for collaboration and growth as your career expands.

3. Consistency Across Platforms: A branded channel name aligns with your other social media and streaming platforms, helping fans find you easily and ensuring consistent branding across the internet.

4. SEO Benefits: Branded channels often rank better in search, especially if your channel name matches your artist name. This can boost your visibility on both YouTube and Google.

5. Long-Term Flexibility: As you evolve, having a brand-focused channel allows for broader content opportunities, such as music collaborations, vlogs, or behind-the-scenes content without compromising the artist’s brand.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a branded YouTube channel:

1. Create a Google Account (if you don’t already have one)

This will be the account used to manage your YouTube channel. Go to Google Account Creation if you need to make a new account.

2. Go to YouTube and Sign In

Go to YouTube and sign in with your Google account.

3. Create Your Channel

Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner, then select “Your Channel”.

Instead of using a personal name, select the option to “Use a business or other name”. This will take you to the option to create a “Brand Account.”

4. Create a Brand Account

Enter the name of your artist brand (e.g., your stage name or band name).

Click “Create” to set up your branded channel.

5. Customize Your Channel

Go to YouTube Studio to start customizing your channel’s appearance:

Profile Picture: Use your logo, artist photo, or something recognizable.

Banner Image: Design a banner that includes your artist name, links, or release announcements.

Channel Description: Write a compelling bio, including your genre, achievements, and what viewers can expect.

Social Links: Link to your website, social media profiles, or music platforms.

6. Set Up Channel Sections

In YouTube Studio, go to the “Customization” tab, and then “Layout”. Here, you can organize content into sections (e.g., “Music Videos,” “Behind the Scenes,” “Live Performances”).

7. Optimize Your Channel Settings

Under “Settings” in YouTube Studio, adjust a few important settings:

Channel Keywords: Include relevant keywords like your genre, “official music,” and artist name.

Audience Setting: Choose if your channel is “Made for Kids” or not, based on your content.

Now that your Branded YouTube channel is ready, as a New Musician, the next thing to focus on is your music video content and ensuring they are of the best quality, interesting to watch and would be so good people are smashing the subscribe button.

But before that, we reviewed some of the best musicians on YouTube channels like Billie Ellish, Ed Sheeran, Jack Harlow, Lizzo, and Tyler the creator.

Here are some ideas you can use,

1. Billie Eilish

Channel Strategy: Billie’s YouTube channel is a great mix of music videos, behind-the-scenes content, interviews, and live performances. This variety allows fans to connect with her on multiple levels—not just through her music but also by seeing her personality and creative process.

What You Can Learn:

Try to mix It Up: Don’t only post official music videos; include behind-the-scenes clips, personal vlogs, or stories about your songs.

Engage with your Fans: Billie has a close connection with her fans. Answer fan questions, do Q&A sessions, or shout out comments in your videos to build a loyal community.

2. Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran’s channel showcases official music videos, acoustic versions, tour diaries, and collaborations. His stripped-down acoustic videos, in particular, have helped him stand out and make his music feel personal and accessible.

What You Can Learn:

You can Offer Acoustic and Alternate Versions: Recording acoustic versions of your songs or live performances can be engaging. It also gives a raw, authentic feel to your channel, which fans love.

Share Your Journey: Document your musical journey, like Ed’s tour diaries. This could be as simple as “day in the life” or “making of” videos that show your experiences as an up-and-coming musician.

3. Jack Harlow

Channel Strategy: Jack Harlow’s YouTube presence combines music videos with casual, personal content. He shares tour vlogs, interviews, and collaborations, giving fans a well-rounded view of his life and career.

What You Can Learn:

Keep It Casual: Casual, candid videos make artists more relatable. Consider creating vlogs or other informal content that reflects your real personality.

Involve Friends and Collaborators: If you have other musician friends or collaborators, bring them onto your channel. Fun, unexpected collaborations can increase your reach and create fresh content.

4. Lizzo

Channel Strategy: Lizzo’s channel is known for celebrating her unique personality and style. She shares music videos, dance routines, and motivational messages, keeping her content lively and engaging.

What You Can Learn:

Showcase Your Personality: Your personality is a big part of your brand. If you’re humorous, outspoken, or have unique fashion, bring that into your videos.

Dance and Visuals: Lizzo often integrates dance and creative visuals into her content. Consider creative ways to present your music, like lyric videos or visually dynamic live performances.

5. Tyler, The Creator

Tyler, The Creator uses his channel to express his art beyond music. He shares creative short films, unique animations, and concept videos that reflect his personal style.

What You Can Learn:

Push Creative Boundaries: Use YouTube as a platform for artistic expression. Explore things like short films or visual storytelling that give insight into your music and message.

Brand Your Channel: Tyler’s channel has a clear, cohesive visual style. Work on building a recognizable brand identity that makes your channel visually distinct.

Top Tips for a New Musician’s YouTube Channel:

1. Have a consistent Upload Schedule: Consistency builds a reliable audience. Try to upload on a regular schedule, even if it’s once a month.

2. Catchy Thumbnails and Titles: Use thumbnails and titles that draw attention. Bright, visually engaging thumbnails with your face or album cover can help attract clicks.

3. Engage with Comments: Respond to your audience’s comments. YouTube’s algorithm favors engagement, so interacting can help boost your visibility.

4. Optimize Descriptions and Tags: Write detailed descriptions with keywords (like “pop music 2024” or “up-and-coming artist”). Tags can also improve your search ability on YouTube.

5. Playlists for Easy Navigation: Organize your channel with playlists (e.g., “Official Music Videos,” “Acoustic Sessions”). This keeps your channel organized and helps people find what they’re looking for.

Following these strategies and taking inspiration from established musicians can help you create an exciting, well-rounded YouTube channel that resonates with fans and attracts new viewers.