You don’t need a label to start a music career anymore. YouTube made sure of that.
Plenty of artists kick things off with just a mic, a camera, and a good cover. It doesn’t take much—just a version of a song they connect with and the guts to put it online. Then one video starts getting shared. Views grow. Comments roll in. Suddenly, it’s more than a hobby.
Why YouTube Still Works
YouTube is where people also go to find music. That makes it different. Covers of trending songs often pop up in searches and recommendations, and that’s where many new artists get discovered—just by showing up.
Unlike TikTok, where a post might fizzle after a day or two, a solid YouTube video can keep pulling in views for months, even years. A cover uploaded today might still be getting discovered six months from now. That kind of staying power is rare.
And once a channel hits the basic thresholds—1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time—it can start earning ad revenue. That extra bit of money helps cover recording costs, new gear, or just more time to make music. Plus, there’s space to link your Spotify, sell merch, or promote originals.
Picking Covers That Work
The goal isn’t to copy what’s popular. It’s to find songs that match your voice and vibe, but still have enough search interest to get noticed. The best picks are well-known tracks with space to make them your own. Acoustic takes on pop songs tend to do well. People like hearing something familiar in a different light.
Use tools like Google Trends or even YouTube’s search bar to see what people are actually looking up. If a song is trending and fits your style, that’s a smart bet.
SEO helps, too. Make sure the video title includes the song name. Write a short description with your name, the song title, and something about your take on it. Use tags like the artist’s name and “acoustic cover.” It’s simple stuff, but it helps the algorithm do its thing.
And don’t skip licensing. Use royalty-free backing tracks or pay to use them. YouTube’s Creator Music is a decent place to start. Copyright strikes can wreck visibility—and kill monetization.
Getting the Channel Right
A great performance is step one—but don’t ignore the rest. Your video title should be clear. No clever wordplay, just “Fleetwood Mac – Dreams (Cover by [Your Name]).” Your thumbnail should stand out without looking spammy. A close-up photo of you, your guitar, or whatever fits the song’s vibe usually works best.
Playlists help organize your channel. Covers go in one, originals in another. If someone watches one video and likes it, make it easy for them to keep going. Tags still help, even if not as much as before. Use a few solid ones—“cover song,” “live performance,” the artist’s name—and call it a day.
Now let’s touch on buying YouTube subscribers. It’s tempting, and it helps—but you should also focus on organic growth of your fanbase.
Shorts Are a Smart Add-On
YouTube Shorts can get your music in front of people who’ve never heard of you. Quick riffs, 30-second moments, or vocal warmups work well. Behind-the-scenes stuff does, too. People like seeing the raw side of the process.
An easy idea: grab the best moment from a full video and turn it into a Short. Add a simple caption like “Best part of this Nirvana cover” and link to the full version. They won’t replace longer videos, but Shorts help keep the channel active. Posting a couple each week keeps things moving while you prep bigger uploads.
Turning Viewers Into Real Fans
Views are cool. Subscribers are better. But the real win? People who care enough to follow you elsewhere. Always drop links to Spotify, Bandcamp, or whatever platform you’re on. Use pinned comments to guide people to your newest original or favorite cover. Ask questions in your videos. Even a simple “What should I cover next?” keeps people engaged.
YouTube also lets you add a mailing list link to your channel banner. Offer early access to songs or exclusive clips—anything that builds a connection. Watch what gets reactions. Don’t just chase numbers. Pay attention to the comments. That’s how you’ll figure out what sticks.
And show up. You don’t need to post daily, but be consistent. One great video can spark interest, but steady uploads build an audience.
