Most artists have one default setting when releasing a music video: upload it to YouTube, then do whatever it takes to send people there. That means shouting “link in bio” on Instagram, pasting YouTube links into Facebook posts (and praying the algorithm doesn’t bury them), and trying to rack up enough views to trigger some kind of revenue.
But what if that’s not the only — or even the best — play?
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Are You Really Losing Anything by Posting Everywhere?
Let’s get honest for a second. If you’re like most artists, you’re not making serious ad revenue from YouTube. You’re trying to build awareness, get shares, and create momentum.
So if you’re not in any danger of losing real money, what’s the downside of posting the full-length video directly to Instagram and Facebook too?
If you’re just trying to get eyeballs wherever you can — and you’re not famous yet — why not post it everywhere?
You can always pivot. If the video suddenly takes off and starts gaining major traction, just take down the native uploads and replace them with posts that link to YouTube. Simple.
Meet People Where They Are
Here’s the real issue: most artists spend nearly all of their social media time on Instagram — not YouTube. Unless you’re a professional content creator, chances are you only log in to YouTube when it’s time to upload something.
- You’re on Instagram every day.
- Your fans are on Instagram every day.
- Your reach and recommendation engine are on Instagram every day.
So meet people where they already are.
That “extra step” of asking people to click out of the app, open YouTube, and watch your video? It’s bigger than you think — and it costs you a lot more attention than you realize.
And don’t forget about Facebook. Especially in the early stages of your career, Facebook is where your family, childhood friends, and hometown network live. These people are crucial — they’re often your first real fans and sharers.
The Algorithm and Ad Angle
From a Meta Ads Manager standpoint, there’s also a cost factor:
- It’s more expensive to run ad campaigns that direct people off-platform (e.g. to YouTube).
- It’s cheaper to run ads that promote native videos or Reels that stay on Facebook/Instagram.
So not only is native video more accessible for your fans, it’s also more cost-effective for you when promoting.
Who This Is Really For
Now, let’s be clear: strangers scrolling Instagram or Facebook probably won’t sit through a 3-minute music video. Especially not in landscape, autoplaying mid-scroll.
But that’s fine. This approach isn’t about strangers. It’s about your existing fans — the people who already care. These are the folks who are happy to watch your full video, and more importantly, happy to share it in a way that makes them look cool, supportive, or early.
Give your hardcore fans something easy to champion.
When the video is embedded directly on the platform, it becomes a sharable weapon. One click, one share, one line of support — no extra steps.
So… Should You Post It?
If you’re prioritizing reach, engagement, and fan activation, posting your full-length music video to Instagram and Facebook is absolutely worth considering.
You’re not just uploading content — you’re removing friction, meeting people where they already are, and making it easier for them to support you.
If you’re ready to take action on this kind of strategy, check out our content-focused campaigns and services:
https://360promo.net/#Content-Creation
360 Promo is a full-service music marketing, promotion, distribution and admin company. Learn more about us and what we do at 360 Promo, follow us on Instagram and contact us to tailor a plan that works for you.