DIY Music Video Tips

by Anne Erickson

With video cameras and video editing software so accessible today, a lot of bands are opting to make their own music videos, especially when money is right. Posting a DIY music video on YouTube can be a choice vehicle to get your music heard. If you’re looking to DIY your next music video, here are some tips to get started.

Find the tools

What video equipment will you use for filming? Your options are endless. Some bands and musicians have shot great videos using just an iPhone or Android. You can also opt for a camcorder, point-and-shoot or SLR with video capabilities. The good news here is that audio isn’t a factor, because you’re just going to add your song to replace the audio of your footage. You’ll also need a laptop or PC with some video editing software to produce the video.

Get a video concept

What kind of video do you want to create? A live performance music video is fairly straight-forward, while a storytelling clip might involve some acting and shooting in multiple locations. Before you push “record,” decide on a solid concept for your music video, as well as filming locations. It will save you time during the filming process.

Start filming

Get set up in an area with good lighting. Make sure the footage doesn’t have any areas that are too shadowy or extremely bright. Also, make sure your phone or camera is on a flat surface, such as a tripod, to avoid jittery filming. If possible, set up multiple camera, so you have more footage to work with when you’re in the editing process.

Edit the video

Once you’ve shot the video, it’s time to edit. Download some video editing software onto your computer or laptop. Some free, basic options are Movie Maker for Windows or iMovie for Mac. Some more advanced programs include Final Cut, Adobe Premiere, Sony Vegas and Corel VideoStudio. Splice in your video, and use your song as the audio track while muting or deleting the existing audio from your footage. You can make the editing process as simple or as complex as you want. Add effects and transitions, or keep it bare bones. Before you post the video, show it to family or friends to get their opinion. They might have some ideas to make it a better watch.

Hello, world!

Once you've the finished music video, you’re ready to post it for the world to watch. YouTube, of course, is the most popular video-sharing website and a great place to reach music fans. Start a YouTube account, upload your video, choose the correct tags, add a description and go. Use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to direct people to the video. -HC-

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Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.