CD Baby Launches Illustrated Sounds Its First YouTube Multi-Channel Network

YouTube Content ID and the MCN (multi-channel network) model has become a booming business for many in the music industry. For many years now, independent artists have looked to MCNs to help them increase and capture the revenues generated against their music on YouTube. Not only does independent artists earn revenue from ads served in and around the videos they upload to their own YouTube channel, but also when ads are served against videos uploaded by other users who use the artist’s music (such as background music for a silly video).

In addition to capturing revenue, multi-channel networks offer artists tools to help them understand their YouTube audience, optimize their content strategy, and other areas of concern.

MCNs make money by earning a small percentage of the revenue that it collects on behalf of its creators and by opening new opportunities in branded/sponsored content and off-YouTube opportunities. Some of the biggest and most popular YouTube personalities have even gone on to land production deals for TV networks and headline YouTube-centric fan tours. With its uploads, views, and traffic increasing year over year, YouTube remains the 800 pound gorilla for launching and growing careers online. And with over a dozen MCNs on the market, newbies contend to carve out their space to offer independent artists better deals and more cash.

Enter Illustrated Sounds.

Illustrated Sounds is powered by CD Baby, the largest indie–only music distributor in the world. Recently launched in beta, Illustrated Sounds aims to apply the ‘power in numbers’ principle to YouTube monetization, channel promotion, and more.

But Illustrated Sounds isn’t just about power in numbers; it’s about putting you — the artist, the creator, the person who’s actually turning your dreams and talents and quirks into videos worth viewing — first!

Illustrated Sound is a play on “illustrated song,” which was the name for the earliest short–form music videos. More than a century after people started pairing sounds with images, music videos are still one of the most powerful forms of entertainment.

Illustrated Sounds will also be open to comedians and filmmakers. Creators can now apply to join on its website www.illustratedsounds.com.