What is the function of a music video?

Functions of a music video..

To me there are many functions of a music video, so it would be hard to summon up the function of a music video up in one word. To me the main function of a music video is to promote the artist, as a music video is a way of showing people who you are through the artists love of music.Music videos are also made to entertain people I mean most videos tell a story whether it is a happy or a sad story. Music videos are also another way for record companies to make money seeing as they dont make money from the sale of albums anymore. Record companies make money from music videos because if the public like the music video from an artist such as Rihanna, then the public are going to want to go to her concerts. The way the record companies make money at concerts is through the sale of merchandise such as programmes, tops, jumpers of the artist. If you have ever been to a concert or festival you will know just how expensive merchandise is,fair enough I know record companies have to make money but why make merchandise so expensive, I mean people have already paid a lot of money for a ticket.

Music today struggles to have the same impact on record sales. I mean Youtube means that fans can access music videos on demand for free. Also if an artist was to release a song without a music video it wouldnt have the same impact . Music videos are made to give the artist exposure and to engage new and exciting fans. People can acess music videos through many ways they can either watch them online at websites such as Youtube or they can download them from websites such as Itunes another way people can watch music videos is through music channels such as Kiss, VIVA or MTV.