How to Submit Your Video on YouTube Music for Free: A Complete Guide for Independent Artists

For independent artists, reaching a global audience without the heavy costs associated with traditional distribution platforms is one of the biggest challenges. Thankfully, YouTube Music provides an accessible way for artists to showcase their work to millions of listeners worldwide. In this article, we’ll explore how to submit your video on YouTube Music for free, taking advantage of YouTube’s tools and platforms to promote your music without breaking the bank. If you’re an artist looking to get your videos on YouTube Music without any fees, this step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to do it.

Why YouTube Music Is Ideal for Independent Artists

Before diving into the submission process, it’s important to understand why YouTube Music is a great platform for independent artists. YouTube Music is one of the most popular streaming platforms globally, with billions of users watching videos every day. For independent musicians, YouTube Music provides a free method to gain exposure, grow an audience, and even earn money through ads, streams, and sponsorships.

With no upfront costs involved in submitting your content, YouTube Music stands as an ideal platform for musicians just starting or those who want to expand their reach. However, submitting your music video involves more than just uploading a file; you need to understand the steps and ensure your video is optimized for maximum visibility.

Step 1: Set Up Your YouTube Channel

To submit your video on YouTube Music for free, you must first set up a YouTube channel if you don’t already have one. This is the foundational step for any content submission on the platform.

Create a Google Account: Since YouTube is owned by Google, you’ll need a Google account to create a YouTube channel. Once logged in, click on your profile picture at the top-right corner and select “Your Channel.”
Set Up Channel Name and Branding: Choose a name that reflects your music style or your artist persona. Make sure your branding (logos, images, and description) aligns with your music. A well-branded channel will help make your content more recognizable and trustworthy to potential fans.
Customize Channel Settings: Include links to your social media profiles, add a channel description, and ensure your privacy settings are optimized for public access. These steps will help improve your profile’s visibility.

Once your channel is ready, you’re one step closer to sharing your music with the world!

Step 2: Prepare Your Music Video for Upload

Before uploading your music video, make sure it is in the correct format and resolution to meet YouTube’s specifications. While YouTube Music accepts various video formats, following these tips will ensure that your video is of the highest quality possible.

Video Resolution: Aim for at least 1080p HD resolution for clear and crisp visuals. Higher quality videos are favored by the platform’s algorithm and look better on devices.
Audio Quality: Since YouTube Music is primarily a music streaming platform, the quality of your audio is equally important. Make sure the sound is professional, with no distortions, clipping, or interruptions.
Video Format: MP4 files are the most recommended format for uploading your video. Ensure that the video is well-edited and meets the general visual and auditory standards of music videos.

Step 3: Upload Your Video to YouTube Music

With your YouTube channel and music video prepared, the next step is to upload your video to YouTube Music. While YouTube Music doesn’t have a direct “upload” button for videos, the platform automatically pulls videos from regular YouTube uploads.

Go to YouTube Studio: After logging into your YouTube channel, navigate to YouTube Studio. Here, you will find the “Upload Video” option.
Choose the Right Video File: Click on the “Upload” button, then select the video file you want to submit. YouTube will guide you through the process of selecting a thumbnail, writing a video description, and adding tags to your video.
Optimize for Music Discovery: Use relevant keywords in your title, description, and tags. Include your song title, genre, and other keywords that could help users find your video more easily.
Add a Music Category: Since YouTube Music is dedicated to music videos, you must ensure your video is categorized as a “Music” video when uploading. This helps the platform identify your video and push it to music-related search results.

Step 4: Distribute Your Video Using a Distributor like Deliver My Tune

While it’s possible to upload directly to YouTube Music via YouTube Studio, using a distribution service like Deliver My Tune can help get your video featured on YouTube Music and other music streaming platforms more efficiently.

Sign Up for Deliver My Tune: To submit your music to YouTube Music (as well as other streaming platforms) through Deliver My Tune, first create an account on the distributor’s website.
Select Your Video: Upload your music video to Deliver My Tune, and they’ll handle the rest. This service ensures that your video is properly formatted and delivered to YouTube Music as well as other services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
Track Performance: Once your video is distributed, you can use Deliver My Tune to track how your video is performing across various platforms, which can be incredibly helpful in understanding your audience and refining your marketing strategy.

Step 5: Promote Your Video for Maximum Exposure

After your video is uploaded to YouTube Music, you want to make sure it gets as many views as possible. Fortunately, YouTube offers several free promotional tools that can help.

Use Social Media: Share your video across your social media profiles, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Make sure to create engaging posts and encourage your followers to share the video.
Collaborate with Other Artists: Collaborating with other musicians or influencers can help increase your visibility. Consider working with artists who have a similar audience to promote each other’s content.
Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and interact with viewers. Engaging with your fans helps build a loyal community, which is vital for an independent artist.

Conclusion

In conclusion, submitting your video to YouTube Music for free is not only possible but can be a game-changer for independent artists looking to expand their reach. By following these simple steps—creating a YouTube channel, preparing your video, uploading it through YouTube Studio or Deliver My Tune, and promoting your content—you can get your music video out there for free and start building your fanbase. Remember, consistency and engagement are key to success on platforms like YouTube Music. So, keep uploading your videos, optimizing them for discovery, and utilizing available promotional tools to grow your presence in the music industry.

By leveraging YouTube Music and distribution services like Deliver My Tune, independent artists can take full advantage of this platform and get their content in front of millions of potential listeners without spending a dime. Happy uploading!

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