Now, we have mentioned YouTube and YouTube monetization a few times already, and it’s
time to look at that service a little closer, as it became, over time, a necessary component
of music promotion, because of its wide popularity and usage. So what should we do with YouTube
besides from creating our own channel and posting our videos on it? What is that YouTube
“monetization” thing we kept mentioning? Well, theoretically, if your music is used
on any YouTube video, and YouTube places ads on it, you would get paid. I say “theoretically”
because in order for that theory to become practice, you need to do a few things to make
it happen.
First, let’s make it clear that we are talking about two types of videos here. The videos
that you have posted, with your own music in it, and the videos that other people have
posted, with your music in it. Plus, remember that in this whole section on music distribution,
promotion, and sales, we are talking about managing the music that you have written and
recorded. Meaning, that you have the complete copyright ownership of the compositions and
of the master recordings.
Also, keep in mind that regarding You Tube, as well as regarding all the other services
we are talking about in this module, things may change by the time this course goes live.
You Tube for instance, has announced that it intends to add subscription services to
its offerings, and that it will change its subscription-free policies regarding record
labels and artists that post their videos on regular You Tube channels. As usual, reportedly,
the majors are already in on it, while the indies will most likely be offered a “take
it or leave it deal” there, and another controversy is brewing. So some things may
change with You Tube, or with other services, by the time you watch this segment. Just keep
following the industry news and developments on the net to stay current, which is something
we should do as our regular routine anyway, since things change so rapidly nowadays.
Ok, so as of the summer 2014, officially, 55 percent of the revenues that YouTube receives