How to Cover TuneCore Music and Get Verified on YouTube?

Covering songs and uploading them to YouTube is a popular way for musicians to gain visibility and connect with new audiences. However, if you’re planning to cover music distributed through TuneCore, it’s crucial to understand the terms and conditions associated with it. Additionally, securing a verified artist channel on YouTube can further boost your music career. This article will delve into both aspects comprehensively.

Terms and Conditions for Covering TuneCore Music

TuneCore is one of the leading digital music distribution services that allows artists to upload their music to major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. When it comes to covering TuneCore's music, there are several terms and conditions you must be aware of:

1. Licensing Requirements

Covering a song means you are using someone else's copyrighted material, so you need the proper licensing to do so legally. For TuneCore music, the primary license you need is a mechanical license. This license allows you to reproduce and distribute the copyrighted music. You can obtain a mechanical license through organizations like the Harry Fox Agency or Easy Song Licensing.

2. Attribution

Providing proper credit to the original artist is essential. This includes mentioning the original song title, artist name, and songwriters in your video description on YouTube. This not only respects the original creator but also helps avoid any legal complications.

3. Revenue Sharing

If you plan to monetize your cover on YouTube, be prepared to share a portion of your ad revenue with the original copyright holders. YouTube’s Content ID system will likely detect the copyrighted material and automatically manage revenue sharing based on the agreements in place.

4. Distribution Restrictions

While you can upload your cover on YouTube, there might be restrictions on distributing these covers on other platforms, especially those managed by TuneCore. Always check with TuneCore's terms of service to ensure you are not breaching any rules.

How to Get a Verified Artist Channel on YouTube

A verified artist channel on YouTube is a powerful tool for musicians. It increases credibility and offers additional features that can help in promoting your music more effectively. Here’s how you can secure a verified artist channel:

1. Distribute Your Music Online

The first step is to distribute your music through a recognized distributor like SoundOn, TuneCore, Distrokid, or others. This makes your records easily accessible and increases the chances of getting noticed by YouTube’s verification team.

2. Build a Strong YouTube Presence

Ensure that your YouTube channel reflects a professional image. This includes high-quality videos, an organized channel layout, regular uploads, and a significant number of subscribers and views. Engaging with your audience through comments and community posts also boosts your legitimacy.

3. Claim Your Official Artist Channel

YouTube has a specific process for claiming your official artist channel. You need to verify your artist information through your distributor. For SoundOn artists, this involves verifying your artist profile and linking your YouTube channel. Once verified, YouTube will combine your artist’s music, subscribers, and videos under your official name, adding the verified badge to your channel.

4. Follow YouTube’s Guidelines

Adhering to YouTube’s community guidelines is also essential. Violations like copyright strikes can hinder your chances of getting your artist channel verified. Always ensure your content follows the platform’s rules and regulations.

Additional Tips for Promoting Your Music

Both covering music and obtaining a verified artist channel are significant steps in building a music career. Here are some additional tips to help you on this journey:

• Engage on Social Media: Promoting your covers and original music on platforms like TikTok, SoundOn, Instagram, and Facebook can attract more viewers to your YouTube channel.
• Collaborate with Other Artists: Working with other musicians can expose you to their audience and vice versa, increasing your reach.
• Utilize Analytics: Use YouTube analytics to understand your audience better, track performance, and adjust your content strategy accordingly.
• Optimize Video SEO: Make sure your video titles, descriptions, and tags are optimized with targeted keywords to rank higher in search results.

Conclusion

Covering TuneCore music and obtaining a verified artist channel on YouTube involves understanding specific terms and conditions and following a strategic approach. For aspiring musicians, these steps can significantly enhance visibility and open up more opportunities for growth and monetization.

Ready to take your music career to the next level? Register as a SoundOn artist today and start building your path to success!