31K Views After 26 Thumbnail Tests: Boost Your Music's Reach Today
Hey there, music makers and content creators!
Today, we're taking a slight detour into the world of social media strategy that could significantly boost your music's visibility.
The Thumbnail Experiment: 26 Changes in 3 Days
During my recent YouTube deep dive, I stumbled upon something interesting about The Calum Johnson Show's (113k subscribers) thumbnail strategy which contributed to a video reaching 31k views in just 8 days. Brace yourselves for this mind-blowing approach:
For a single video, they changed the thumbnail 26 times in the first 3 days!
The background and typeface design remained consistent.
With each iteration, they swapped out the thumbnail title.
Now, you might be wondering, "Why go through all that trouble?" or "What does this have to do with my music goals?"
Why This Matters for Musicians
As musicians in the digital age, our success often hinges on more than just our music. It's about how we present ourselves online, how we catch people's attention, and how we stand out in a sea of content.
This thumbnail strategy showcases a level of dedication to optimization that we can all learn from. Here's why it's significant:
Continuous Improvement: By constantly tweaking their thumbnail, this channel demonstrates a commitment to finding what works best.
Data-Driven Decisions: Each change likely provided data on which titles and designs attracted more clicks.
Adaptability: This approach shows flexibility in responding to audience preferences in real-time.
How You Can Apply This
While changing your thumbnail 26 times might be extreme, the core lesson here is about experimentation. Let's apply this mindset to your marketing strategies.
If you're struggling to find an audience for your music, consider experimenting with different formats and looking for signals in the form of likes, shares, and comments. Then, double down on what's working for you.
I've experimented with several formats on Instagram, and one of my beat breakdown videos received over 171k views, 812 likes, 29 comments, 4 shares, and 51 saves. This is my best-performing piece of content so far, and it told me two things:
Format: That format is something I should double down on.
Music Style: R&B/Dance is a strength of mine as a music producer.
Here are some formats you can consider experimenting with:
Vlog-Style Videos: Try creating a day-in-the-life video showcasing your music creation process. This personal touch can help fans connect with you on a deeper level.
Educational Content: Share your expertise! Create tutorials on songwriting, instrument techniques, or music production. This can position you as an authority in your genre.
Challenge Videos: Participate in or create music challenges. For example, "Write a Song in 1 Hour" or "Recreate This Hit Song Using Household Items." These can be great for engagement and showcasing your skills.
Storytelling with B-Roll: Experiment with telling a story about your musical journey or the inspiration behind a song, using b-roll footage over your voiceover. This can add depth and visual interest to your content.
Behind-the-Scenes: Show the process of recording in the studio, setting up for a gig, or collaborating with other artists. Fans love seeing what goes on behind the curtain.
Live Performance Videos: Even if it's just in your living room, live performances can showcase your raw talent and authenticity.
Remember, the key is to track how your audience responds to each format. Which videos get more views, comments, or shares? Use this data to refine your content strategy, just like The Calum Johnson Show's thumbnail-changing strategy.
🎯 Challenge for the Week
Challenge yourself to create three different types of videos this week:
A short (60-second) vlog-style update on your current music project.
A quick tutorial on a simple music technique you excel at.
A behind-the-scenes clip of your practice or recording session.
Post these videos over the next few days and track their performance.
Which format gets the most views? The most engagement? Use this data to inform your future content strategy. If only one video gets a like or comment out of all the videos posted, that is a signal.
The goal isn't perfection, but experimentation. Have fun with it, and you might just discover a new way to connect with your audience!
Which video format are you most excited to try? Reply to this email and let me know—I'd love to hear about your plans!
🧠 Quote of the week
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." – Thomas A. Edison
Enjoy your week,
Melvin Darrell
