Being an independent artist on a budget, I've learned to be resourceful when it comes to music/lyric video creation. There's no doubt that major production companies create amazing, high-quality music and even lyric videos. However, this seems to be a privilege reserved for major recording artists and maybe some lucky indy artist who has 100 grand or more to blow. And if you're like me, you're probably unwilling to sell a kidney and your truck to be able to afford something like that. But you have to figure something out, right? After all, humans are visual creatures and an engaging video can really boost your music. Some studies suggest that videos are 600% more effective than other forms of promotion and if you're looking to blast your jams on social media in hopes of going viral, you should know that including a video in your post can increase your conversion by about 80%.
Since putting out my debut EP, I've been forced to think outside the box when it comes to producing videos. I don't own a camera and the million dollar checks aren't coming in yet (chuckle chuckle) but that doesn't stop me from putting out videos for my music. So I don't have a shoot with a music video production company budgeted into my finances...
Here's what I do have: (1) a MacBook Pro (2)internet (3) iMovie (4) Pages and (5) the perspective to keep it simple.
Most everyone has a computer nowadays and if you don't I'm sure you have a friend that cares about your music career just enough to let you use his/hers. If you have to borrow a computer, chances are you may not have internet either. Don't fret! There's a Starbucks on every corner. Go order a $3 coffee and milk their wifi for as long as you can stand it. While online, you can find all kinds of stock HD footage for reasonable prices and even free. Just Google search "free hd stock footage". You'll also be able to find free stock photos just as easy if you haven't already taken some with your iPhone or Galaxy. While you're at it go to www.dafont.com and pick out some awesome, free fonts you can use for your lyric video. Then throw it together in iMovie or whatever program you use. And here's one last tidbit: if you're a Mac user, don't underestimate the Pages app. I've created graphics for my videos and social media posts in Pages that are comparable to those done in Photoshop. In 2017 it's easier than ever to produce content yourself for cheap and/or for free. Have fun with it. Enjoy the journey. Godspeed.
Here's my latest lyric video:
