The purpose of a music video

A music video can be used for various purposes:

• It can be used as promotion for the song included in the video. 
• It will also help to raise the profile of the artist, whose song it is. 
• Videos are used as a way of enticing the public into buying the song and possibly the album. 
• They are also used as a method of expressing an individuals emotions, such as Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares To You. 
• There are certain videos that are used to tell a story such as Eminem's Stan, which was very effective in advancing the success of the song.
• They market an image and can be used to change the image of an artist, such as Christina Aguilera and Kylie Minogue.
• Used to make an artistic statement e.g. Talking Heads 'Once in a lifetime'.
• Product placement can also be used in a music video e.g. Christina Aguilera and her perfume in the song 'Not Myself Tonight'.