YouTube allows you to personalize your Artist Channel by updating your bio, adding your social media links, profile pictures, and channel cover.
As is the case for many other platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music, having an up-to-date artist page that reflects your narrative is very important for fan engagement and branding, but also shows YouTube you’re active on their platform.
To get started editing and optimizing your YouTube Channel, log into your YouTube Channel and click on “Customize Channel” in the top section of your page. You’ll be redirected to a new page where you can edit various aspects of your artist page:
- Profile Image: Add a profile picture to your channel by clicking on the pen icon on the top left square. Here you want to put a recognizable press picture or logo that clearly contains the artist’s likeness.
- Banner: Add channel art, e.g. a banner that will be displayed at the top of your channel. You can use your logo, press picture, or a visual asset to promote your next or latest release.
Tip: It’s a good idea to ensure the branding of your channel image and banner is the same.
- Links: Click on the pen icon in the right top corner to add your website and social media links. This makes it easy for your fans to locate and connect with you on other platforms.
- Bio: Click on “About” and then on “Description” to add your bio.
Tip: Make sure to keep all of these assets updated as you start and move through your release cycle.
Once you’ve set up your channel, customized the page, and have a schedule of content to share, make sure to promote your Channel across your social media channels and newsletter. Doing so will prompt your fans to subscribe and click on the “bell” to receive notifications from your channel.
Tip: If you’re just starting out with your YouTube channel, it’s a good idea to create a short trailer or a welcome video so that new subscribers can start engaging straight away with your content. This is a great opportunity to guide your fans through what you’ll be uploading and when they should expect content from you.
When you have some diverse content on your channel, make sure to organize it on different shelves. You can arrange your videos in the “Customize Channel Section” and by clicking on “Add Section” at the bottom of your page.