How to Make a Viral Music Video In 9 Easy Steps

How to Make A Music Video: 9 Tips That Actually Work

You’ve got a song, an idea, and the vision to turn it into something tangible. Kudos! Now the big question: How can you make a music video that gets people sitting up and taking notice?

Whether you’re new to creating videos or just need to refine your next shoot, these 9 actionable steps will help you go from concept to delivery without getting bogged down.

Let’s explore how to create a music video that works.

1. Come Up with a Concept

As the famous American author Earl Nightingale said, “Everything starts with an idea.” This is where the spark happens.

Before you shoot a single frame, ask yourself: What would I like the audience to feel when they watch this music video? Perhaps it’s excitement, nostalgia, sadness, or happiness. It could be a narrative you’d prefer to tell or a feeling you’d like to express.

While deciding how to make music videos, consider what pictures (or visuals) would accompany your song. For instance:

• If it’s a love song, pair it with a romantic storyline or scenic slow-motion clips.
• A high-energy rap works best with fast cuts, urban settings, or dramatic lighting.
• A laid-back acoustic tune can be used with serene landscape footage or cozy environments.

Put your idea down, even ones that seem far-fetched. This will guide everything else you do, from location scouting to filming and editing a music video.

2. Select the Proper Location

Your location dictates the overall vibe of the music video.

Don’t feel pressured to rent a studio to create an excellent video. Think of places around you that match your concept. Beaches, forests, rooftops, bedrooms, stairwells, empty parking lots, and even your backyard can work.

When you consider how to shoot a music video, the aim is to find places that:

• Are visually appealing on film
• Fit the mood of the music
• Are convenient for you to get to and shoot at

If you plan to produce a music video outdoors, check whether you require a permit (some locations do). And don’t forget natural light—it’s your best friend, particularly when shooting on a phone.

3. Get Your Gear Ready (Even If It’s Just Your Phone)

How do you make a music video if you don’t have the right gear? If you have a tight budget, we have good news for you.

You don’t need an expensive camera to create a viral music video. Phones nowadays can shoot in 4K and produce crisp, professional-looking footage.

Remember, it’s not what you’ve got, but how you use your gear. If you’re wondering how to make a music video with your phone, here’s a quick rundown:

• Use a stabilizer or tripod for smooth shots.
• Clean the camera lens for clearer footage.
• Shoot in landscape mode, except when creating social media reels or TikTok videos.
• Change your camera settings by choosing ‘4k’ or ‘UHD’ and selecting different frame rates. Save the settings and record in the HD. For an iPhone, go to Camera Settings, and tap ‘Record Video.’ Choose from different video formats and frame options.

If you have more equipment at your disposal, such as a DSLR camera, lighting, or a mic, that’s great. However, don’t let a lack of equipment stop you. After all, it’s about creativity, not cost.

4. Plan Out Your Shots

Having a list of shots or a simple storyboard will save you time and stress on the day of shooting. Even just listing them like this provides a clear outline to work from.

• Scene 1: Walking around the city (wide shot)
• Scene 2: Singing in front of the mirror (close-up)
• Scene 3: Dance break in alley (medium shot)

This music video production process keeps you on top of things and ensures that you don’t wing it when the camera is rolling.

It also helps to ensure that your visuals match the mood and rhythm of the music. Try to coordinate dramatic or emotional shots with the beat or lyrics of the track; it makes the video more immersive and memorable.

5. Perform with Energy and Authenticity

This might be the most critical thing in making a music video. You can have a superb location, solid camera work, and slick editing; however, if your performance is dull, your video will not resonate with people.

Like many others, if you’re wondering, “How can I make a music video that goes viral?” remember that an eye-catching performance includes:

• Lip-syncing clearly and precisely
• Conveying emotions through your face and body
• Moving in rhythm to the music

Practice can help. Tape yourself a few times and review the footage. Assess what feels right and what looks sloppy, then reshoot and do better.

If you record a music video with dancers, actors, or even friends, rehearse together beforehand so everyone knows what to do. That way, everything runs smoothly on the actual film shoot.

6. Film More Than You Think You’ll Need

The golden rule in video production is to always shoot extra footage. Here are a few reasons why:

• Some takes won’t be as good as you’d hoped.
• You may require different angles when editing.
• Mistakes happen – footage gets corrupted, wobbly, or out of sync.

Make sure you record multiple takes from different angles:

• Wide shots for establishing scenes
• Medium shots for performances
• Close-ups for emotions and details

Even if you’re still learning how to make a good music video, shooting more gives you options later. It’s much better to have too much footage than too little.

7. Hire a Professional Sound Engineer

Imagine a music video with poor sound, it just wouldn’t work. That’s why it’s essential to trust a sound expert. Their experience and advice can make a big difference in how your final project turns out.

Talk with them about how they plan to record the audio, as this will affect the sound quality and how well it matches your vision.

Look for someone with experience in similar projects or your industry. Ask for samples of their past work so you know what quality to expect. That way, when everything comes together, you’ll be confident the sound hits just right.

8. Editing with the Beat

Editing is when you turn all those raw clips into a polished story or experience.

You might wonder, “How can I make music video edits that look professional?” Start simple. You can use free software or tools such as:

• CapCut or VN (for mobile editing)
• iMovie (for Mac users)
• Shotcut or DaVinci Resolve (for beginners on desktop)

Once you start editing, make sure to:

• Sync your video clips perfectly to the music. This creates a satisfying, rhythmic flow.
• Cut out any clips that drag or distract.
• Use transitions, effects, and color adjustments to boost the visuals, but don’t overdo it.

You’re learning how to create a song video, not a CGI-heavy Marvel scene. Keep it clean, cohesive, and connected to the music’s mood.

9. Share and Promote Your Video Online

If you’re self-publishing and promoting your video, start sharing it on social media platforms where your target audience spends time, like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Ensure you understand each platform’s settings so your video looks its best. Try different platforms and strategies to see what works. Track likes, shares, and comments to measure performance in the first few hours or days. If results are low, try another platform.

You can add a strong outro that links to another video to increase engagement. This keeps viewers watching and helps grow your brand.

You can also run video ads to reach more people. To get the best results, make sure the ad is high-quality and attention-grabbing.

Bonus Tips to Go Viral

You’ve followed all the steps, planned your shots, nailed your performance, edited like a pro, and your music video is finally ready.

But now comes the fun (and tricky) part: getting people to actually see it. Going viral may seem like magic, but there are fundamental strategies behind videos that blow up online.

Listed below are some easy, doable tips to give your video a better chance of going viral:

1. Make the First 5 Seconds Count

Viewers scroll quickly. If your video doesn’t hook them within the first few seconds, they’ll scroll past it. Start with something eye-catching – perhaps a strong lyric, a dramatic close-up, or a surprising image. Think of it like a movie trailer; you need a hook that makes people want to see more

2. Use Platforms That Love Music Content

Don’t just upload your video to YouTube and hope for the best—repurpose it.

Utilize short, catchy clips from your video for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. These sites consume music-related content and typically promote it to large audiences. Just ensure each clip contains a high-energy or emotionally impactful moment.

3. Start a Trend or Challenge

A lip-sync moment, a dance challenge, or a funny twist on a scene from your music video can help spark virality. If people can join in and create their own versions, your video becomes a conversation, not just content. This is an effective and organic way to promote your video.

4. Engage With Your Audiences

Respond to comments. Share fan reactions. Post behind-the-scenes footage of music video shoots. People love feeling like they’re part of your creative journey. The more connected your audience thinks of you, the more likely they are to share your video.

5. Optimize Your Title and Description

When you upload, use searchable terms like “official music video,” your artist name, and genre. If someone searches, your video (or behind-the-scenes content) could pop up, too.

Your Path to a Viral Music Video

Making a viral music video isn’t an exact science. However, you can significantly increase your chances by following the tips we outlined, such as starting with a strong idea, planning your shots, choosing the correct location, and editing to the beat.

Remember: quality, creativity, and authenticity win on the internet. So go out there, plan your masterpiece, hit record, and let the world see your vision. You never know; your next upload could be the one that goes viral.

Want to make a music video with lyrics, dancers and eye-catching animations? Choose Avalanche Studios. We’ll guide you through every step, from planning to final edits. Our full-service team handles it all. Request a quote today and discover how we can help you.