Viral Music Video Buzz: Use This

There are all sorts of ways to create a YouTube-era music video worth talking about. You can do a one-take dance on treadmills or sing about your junk in a box. But one of the newest ways to gain attention is to do a unique cover version of a popular song.



Exhibit A is Alanis Morissette's "My Humps" video, which just surpassed 5 million views on YouTube. It's a slow, plaintive spoof of the Black Eyed Peas' silly "My Humps" track. Who knew that a cover song would catapult Alanis back into the public eye?

Another great example of music video buzz is Matt Weddle's awesome acoustic cover of "Hey Ya" by Outkast. This video has about 395,000 YouTube views. Matt is a member of the band Obadiah Parker, and both he and his band have benefited greatly from the "Hey Ya" exposure.

Yes, I know you probably focus on original music and are most interested in gaining wider exposure for the sounds you create. That's great. But don't overlook the possibility of recording a popular cover song that you put your own original spin on. When the cover gets attention, your name and the other music you produce gets a free ride along with it.

-Bob

P.S. For more advice on producing low-cost, buzz-worthy video content, check out my report How to Use Video to Promote Your Music Online.