How to Make More Money from YouTube: host a video contest where fans use YOUR songs

February 3, 2012{ 59 Comments }

With CD Baby’s sync licensing program, you earn money whenever your music is used on YouTube. So, one of the obvious ways to boost your YouTube income is to get people to make more videos using your music!

Consider hosting a series of contests where fans upload videos with your music as the soundtrack, including:

1) Fan-made music video contest-

Enlist your fans to make a music video or slideshow FOR you. Let them pick their favorite song, give them creative license to interpret the song their way, tell them to post it to YouTube, and then choose your favorites. Give out prizes– like free CDs, free house-shows, custom-written songs, etc. Create a YouTube playlist for all these entries.

2) Personal/family videos contest-

Encourage your fans to use your music as the soundtrack to their family videos and slideshows, their weird pet tricks caught on tape, or whatever else they want to post to YouTube. You can award similar prizes for your favorites, or feature them on your website and social media profiles.

3) Upload your songs to YouTube-

Now’s the time, especially since CD Baby is making it easy to get paid for those plays! Create a simple video for ALL your songs; and by simple, I mean VERY simple,… like, just a static still photo. Basically, this is for the benefit of everyone who uses YouTube as their listening platform. If someone’s going to be streaming your music, better it be from YOUR YouTube channel that you control.

Any other ideas for encouraging people to use your music on YouTube? Let us know in the comments section below.

-Chris R. at CD Baby

Make money from your music on YouTube!

Chris Robley's Author Bio

Linda

Great idea. There is already one up a fan made about a year ago using one of my tunes. Hope rumblefish finds it soon : )
- Curious George
  
  Hi Chris!
  
  Does the YouTube Sync licensing program through CDBaby only work for videos with audio files in it? For example, if I create a video talking about a song, or an event, or a review of some sort, is there a way to capture ad revenue from this type of video? If music is required in order to ID the video, would a brief audio clip (as in a few seconds of audio) at the beginning of the video be enough to ID the video and collect ad revenue from it?
  - http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby
    
    We can only collect ad revenue for videos with audio content that can be ID’d in YouTube’s content ID process (using their “sonic fingerprinting” technology). I wouldn’t recommend changing your approach to the videos you’re making just to capture some ad-revenue, BUT… there is a way you can monetize those videos yourself by working directly with YouTube. That seems like a good solution if your videos don’t have music playing in them. The advantage to CD Baby’s program (for videos with songs) is that we can collect ad revenue for any video on YouTube that uses that song (not just the ones uploaded to your account). But, again, if you don’t have music in some of them, you can collect ad revenue directly.
Nathan Shirley

So if we opted in to this when it was first offered, how long until we should see our videos getting tagged? Is there a way to tag them as rumblefish content ourselves?
- http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby
  
  No way to tag themselves. You’ll have to wait until YouTube can do its magic content IDing. Which takes roughly 1-4 weeks.
Tansel

If you looking good royalty-free stock music website check this site http://audiojungle.net?ref=travengraven . AudioJungle.net is one of the serious website on the net which you can sell your works.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Awesome. Did you do a contest? Or just encourage them to use your music?
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

It actually varies depending on many criteria: who the advertiser is and probably how much YouTube charged them for it, etc. So it’s always going to differ. However, it’s similar to on-demand streaming payouts, different every time, but generally between a fraction of a cent and a few pennies per.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

They ID the content in that person’s video and know it’s your song. They pay CD Baby/Rumblefish a share of ad revenue. We pay you from there.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

There won’t be any direct monetized linkage between YouTube and iTunes. As for ad revenue, it is NOT retroactive, so we’ll only be able to collect on usage moving forward from the point you sign up that song with us.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Good question. I’d say do whatever sounds sane to you, though people generally might need a couple weeks or more to produce a quality video. Maybe a month?
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

If you signed up for our sync program, you will be able to collect a share of ad revenue for that music’s usage in their video.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Nice! I’d love to pick your brain about amassing that many subscribers. (Maybe for a future article here?) If you’re interested, and if you have the time, please email me at chris@cdbaby.com and share some of your tips/wisdom for how you built your youTube channel and community. Would love to feature you in an article with some good tips.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Not in front. The ads are of the pop-up variety.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

We sent them a huge catalog of music almost overnight, so they’re still catching up on the processing (some of which has to be done by hand to make sure they’re tagging your tunes with the appropriate genre/mood/tempo/etc. descriptions for their search function so people can find the best music for their projects. I’d say give it a couple more weeks. Sorry for the delay.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Someone could purchase an official non-commercial micro-sync license for your music from Friendly Music, or they could just use an MP3 they’ve downloaded from a retailer, or uploaded from the CD.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Well, in order for YouTube to be able to do the content IDing for your music’s usage across all videos on YouTube, you would sign up for CD Baby’s sync licensing program. If you’ve done that, the YouTube content ID part of the process should be happening shortly.
Suzanne

When will I see my artist and track links on YouTube/ It has been weeks since I opted in for the synch license…
- http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby
  
  What artist and track links are you referring to?
Slowmoj

Thanks cd baby you guys are awesome and always on top of youre game.I already have several of my songs on youtube from my cd baby site,

Thanks again slowmoj
Onelifehitboyz

How do you get sync liscense? How much does it cost?

Please email me the information to my email OneLifeHitBoyz@yahoo.com
I’m really intrested.
- http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby
  
  Are you asking how much it costs to join our sync licensing program? If you’re already a CD Baby artist, it’s free- or rather, it’s included with your CD Baby submission fee at no additional cost.
- http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby
  
  Check out all the details here: http://members.cdbaby.com/license-your-music.aspx
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Yep. All adverts. You don’t have to wrangle anyone into paying you later on.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

What are the sites? URLs?
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Normally, about 2-3 weeks. But since the program just started and we made a massive delivery of music to Rumblefish pretty much overnight, it’s a little delayed. Sorry for the delay. Should be up soon.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Money? Denny? I think I need a reminder.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Are you talking about the prize? Depends on your fans, of course. I was thinking the prize would be more like a free house-concert, or your whole autographed discography, or something personal, as opposed to promising folks money. After all, you never know how many folks will make videos for you or the quality of the results.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

It is for the version of the song you’re distributing through CD Baby, so… you’d have to be selling that live version too in order for YouTube’s content ID process to work its magic.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Hey Eric, one suggestion is to highlight the contest info on you site more. Right now it seems a bit buried in small text at the end of the page. Make it pop! As far as reaching the right people,… do you use TweetDeck or HootSuite? You could monitor Twitter conversations for anything having to do with indie filmmakers/contests/quick DIY film projects, etc. and then communicate with them directly.
- Eric Nedelman
  
  Thanks for the suggestions. I will get right on this and let you know how it improves.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

YouTube should still recognize the tune as long as you’ve got significant portions intact. And yes, if you sign that track up with CD Baby, we’ll be able to collect ad revenue for it.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Well, it varies per click, depending on many factors negotiated between YouTube and the advertiser for that ad placement, but generally between a fraction of a penny and a few cents per click. Not much on its own, but for people seeing a lot of YouTube traffic, it adds up quick.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

So, did you sign up for CD Baby’s sync licensing program? If so, those copyright claims are probably coming from Rumblefish (on our behalf). Do you see Rumblefish’s name on those claims? There is a way to release their claim on JUST the videos you’ve uploaded in your account. If this sounds like the situation, write to cdbaby@cdbaby.com and we’ll help out.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Nope. It is all done through sonic fingerprinting technology in YouTube’s content ID process. You don’t need to enter in any ISRCs.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Sorry. We don’t upload YouTube videos. We allow YouTube to ID your content and then collect the share of ad revenue on your behalf.
- Playanton
  
  How does this work? I have over a million views on my music on youtube and I have advertising on the videos, but I haven’t received any money from CDBaby or ASCAP for the plays.
  - http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby
    
    CD Baby does not collect performance royalties. As far as ASCAP goes, they are paid a blanket fee from YouTube for all performance royalties— ASCAP distributes that money,… but usually only to the folks who are very much on the YouTube radar. So you’d have to contact them regarding YouTube performance royalties. As far as CD Baby, we can collect a share of ad revenue for the usage of your music on YouTube, but only for ad clicks moving forward,… NOT retroactively.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Sure. But I’d probably recommend a shorter duration for the contest, just to keep things sane for you. Plus, the contestants will want to know who the winner is in shorter time than a year.
Playanton

This does happen but there are ways around it and if you’re making money for your plays from people who aren’t planning on buying the songs anyway…
Playanton

Upon reading more of your replies, I’m wondering if I’ll start getting content claims from Rumblefish and how to make sure it doesn’t affect my ad revenue with youtube (which is already in place)?
- http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby
  
  Yes. If you’ve already uploaded videos that contain music that have been opted-in for CD Baby sync licensing program, then you eventually see a copyright notice in your YouTube account saying that Rumblefish has claimed administration rights for this video. If you want to continue your direct partner relationship for these videos, simply fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dGVHNVNwWE9wa2VkQ0xCQy1ERGxpQ0E6MQ#gid=0
  
  Once you’ve filled out this form, Rumblefish will relinquish their claim to your videos, but still be authorized to collect ad revenue for any videos that OTHER people upload using your music.
Mona Leigh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhB7NOTwhzY This is one way I use my music on youtube…
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Hey Anne, I know you offer a bunch of different services: performances, recordings, instruction, arranging, books, etc. I was thinking it’d be great to get a free harp lesson over Skype,… but then you’d really be limiting your video-makers to those with actual access to a harp. But maybe the winner can choose their preferred prize from a few options: 1) free lesson over Skype, 2) compose or arrange a song specifically for the winner, 3) free books plus albums,… something like that?
Denawayman

I wrote a song for the Troops and Wendy (of darkblueworld) made a video slide show of the Troops! It’s had over 50 thousand hits on your youtube! Dena Wayman
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

If you own the master recordings to a classical piece written before 1923, or a unique arrangement of a composition in the public domain (which are not considered cover songs), YouTube WILL content ID your recordings (if they’re included in the CD Baby Sync Licensing Program) and we can collect ad revenue for you. The process of sonic fingerprinting ensures that YouTube pays the money to the right party– Rumblefish, and you! If you are working with YouTube directly through their partner program and keep seeing copyright claims that are not generated from Rumblefish, I’d recommend writing to YouTube.
- kuro
  
  The problem is Youtube does not reply or fix problems in a short time, due to large volumes of questions and problems. If youtube could make the name of the party who is claiming the copyrights public, it would help.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Nice! Thanks for sharing.
http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby

Hey Jenn, I’m not sure what you mean. Why would it be a conflict of interest with Google?
Jack

Talented musicians could just enter online contests like Make a Star (http://www.makeastar.com/) and stand a chance to win some money.
CN

Nice song.
I am very interested in how to get that “buy on itunes” thingy on our songs too.
Mean while, why not post a link to your cdbay.com sales page for the song?
Claude Needham

If our fan has a monetized channel, will they retain any potion of the advertising revenue. It is great that we will get revenue cause our music is on the video. But it would be even more awesome if the fan also retained some portion of income. Do you have any idea of any revenue is left for the video poster?
- http://members.cdbaby.com/ CD Baby
  
  There are rumors that YouTube may soon allow folks to split revenue share. But not now. It’d either go to you or the the uploader.
http://blog.hostbaby.com/ Chris B at CD Baby

Yes. You will get paid royalties for that. Anytime you music is uploaded to YouTube and shared–you will get paid royalties–provided the album is opted in to our program
http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/author-chris-robley Christopher Robley

No. There is only so much ad revenue to split up, so you have to choose which method you want. Direct AdSense is a better share for you– but the downside is that you’re only collecting money for YOUR channel’s videos, and you’d be losing out on potential revenue for your songs usages by other people out there in the YouTube world.
http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/author-chris-robley Christopher Robley

The ad revenue is only generated when an ad is clicked, so you can’t go off of views. But the payment amount per click changes based on total ad revenue by month (and some other factors)– so it’s on par with streaming revenues you’d see from Spotify, etc.
Corey Koehler

Is there a way to opt out of the Sync licensing particularly on YouTube? I understand that this synch service helps when other people use my music but now I am limited on how I can monetize my videos on my own channel. I think I would be getting a better deal on my own channel working directly with YouTube without a middle man (CDBaby/RumbleFish).
- http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/author-chris-robley Christopher Robley
  
  You can stay IN the sync program, but refute Rumblefish’s claim to the videos in your channel. That way you can still make money from those same songs if someone else uses your music. To do so, go to :
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGVHNVNwWE9wa2VkQ0xCQy1ERGxpQ0E6MQ
  
  If you want to cancel altogether, you can do so in your members account.
  - Corey Koehler
    
    Thanks Christopher. Good to know. I will try the “refute” route.

Music Promotion for Independent Musicians

How to Make More Money from YouTube: host a video contest where fans use YOUR songs