🎸 20 Practical YouTube Tips That Independent Blues & Roots Artists Can Implement Now

(Focused on getting your music videos recommended more often)


Bonus Tip #1 - GET YOUR OFFICIAL ARTIST CHANNEL THROUGH YOUR DISTRIBUTOR 

(Some are better than others for support issues like having your music show up on another channel)


Build a Strong Foundation

  1. Use a clear, genre-defining channel name
    Your artist or band name should stand alone — no extra words like “Official Channel” unless needed. YouTube uses the channel name to group your music with similar artists.

  2. Craft a blues-roots “About” section
    Describe your sound using discoverable language:
    “Vintage swing, delta blues grit, and smoky roots soul.”
    Include your hometown, influences (e.g., Muddy Waters, Tom Waits, Pokey LaFarge), and a link to your website. These keywords help YouTube match you with blues audiences.

  3. Add channel keywords
    In YouTube Studio → Settings → Channel → Basic Info, include:
    blues, roots, swing, gypsy jazz, indie blues, original music, live performance, roots revival.
    These guide YouTube’s recommendation engine.

  4. Feature key playlists on your homepage
    Organize sections like:

    • Official Music Videos

    • Live Performances & Sessions

    • Behind the Song

    • Covers & Tributes
      Viewers watching multiple videos in a session increases your “suggested video” weight.


Optimize Every Music Video Upload

  1. Use descriptive, searchable titles
    Example:
    Blue Moon Marquee – Hound Dog On a Chain (Official Blues Music Video)
    or
    Live at The Railway Club – Original Swing Blues by Blue Moon Marquee
    Clarity improves recommendations for blues listeners.

  2. Write a genre-rich description
    Add a few short paragraphs telling the story of the song, its style, and mood:
    “This song blends pre-war swing and desert blues, recorded live off the floor.”
    End with links to your merch, tour dates, and playlists.

  3. Add hashtags that place you in the right scene
    At the end of your description, include:
    #bluesmusic #rootsmusic #swingblues #independentartist #canadianblues
    YouTube uses these to group you with similar content.

  4. Choose tags that reinforce genre connections
    Use variations like:
    blues band, roots duo, original blues, vintage swing, pokey lafarge, americana, live blues.
    They strengthen association with established blues acts.

  5. Design a consistent thumbnail aesthetic

    • Use warm tones, retro fonts, and instrument visuals (guitar, upright bass, mic).

    • Keep text minimal — just song title and your name.

    • Recognizable branding helps repeat viewers click faster, a major algorithm signal.


Increase Watch Time & Session Length

  1. Hook the listener immediately
    Start with movement or groove — skip the fade-in and go straight to the downbeat. The first 10 seconds determine whether YouTube promotes the video. The audio on your video does not have to come in at the same time it does on the album

  2. Link to other songs with end screens
    In the last 15 seconds, link to your next song or playlist of official videos. Keeping fans watching more of your videos improves your overall recommendation rate.

  3. Create themed playlists
    For example:

    • “Late Night Blues”

    • “Desert Swing Sessions”

    • “Original Blues Stories”
      YouTube often recommends other videos from the same playlist to new viewers.

  1. Add subtitles or lyrics
    Helps accessibility and searchability (YouTube reads your captions). For storytelling songs, lyrics can boost emotional connection and retention.

  2. Pin a comment with a call-to-action
    Example: “🎸 Tell us where you’re tuning in from — blues fans around the world!”
    Comments drive engagement, a top metric for recommendations.


Strengthen Channel Momentum

  1. Upload regularly, even between major releases
    Consistency matters more than volume. If you release a video every 3–4 weeks, YouTube keeps your channel in active rotation.

  2. Use “Live Session” videos strategically
    Alternate between polished official videos and intimate, live-off-the-floor performances. YouTube’s algorithm loves authentic, real-room sound in the roots/blues niche.

  3. Collaborate with nearby blues or roots artists
    Cross-tag each other in descriptions and thumbnails. YouTube will start recommending your videos to each other’s audiences.

  4. Engage with your Community tab
    Post old tour photos, polls (“Which song should we film next?”), or stories about your gear. Every bit of engagement revives algorithm interest.


Monitor and Adjust

  1. Analyze retention and traffic sources
    In YouTube Studio → Analytics, look at:

    • Audience retention: do people drop off before the vocals start?

    • Traffic source: how much comes from “Suggested Videos”?
      Tweak intros or pacing based on what holds attention.

  1. Link Shorts to full videos
    Post 15–30 second vertical clips — riffs, vocal moments, or groove snippets — and include a text overlay: “Watch the full video on our channel.” Shorts boost discovery dramatically, especially in roots genres where visual style stands out.


Bonus Tip #2

Reply to every genuine comment.
Engaged channels — especially in community-driven genres like blues and roots — get more algorithmic love. YouTube tracks creator responses as part of engagement quality.

DOWNLOAD PDF