Just like with most things on Youtube and other video sites, it's mostly used for marketing purposes. A lot of videos are viewed via the correct keyword phrase selection. If you use the proper SEO on Youtube, your videos will not only show up in Youtube searches but also Google searches.
The best way to rank is to use the google keyword planner and find long tail phrases that are highly searched monthly. For instance you wouldn't search sell beats, but you would search where can I sell my beats. The latter being a long tail keyword phrase. If you made a video on Youtube using "where can I sell my beats", or "places where you can sell beats", you will drive traffic from a lot of producers. Or "use my beats free for your songs" will attract artists.
Then you can give artists a freebie as long as they join your mailing list (create a squeeze page on your website to capture their email). Then you promote your new beats to them whenever you feel like it. That is direct marketing and you won't have to depend on wondering if everyone saw your post on FB or Twitter. Not only is it direct marketing, it's also targeted marketing. Keep in mind to begin showing up in the SERPS of YT and Google, you must have 300+ views on the video. There are also other ways but this is a good start.
If you help with that, hit me up!
Hip hop indie artists' videos are being accepted if you are interested in knowing how to submit your youtube music videos to our indie music blog section.
Not only are we one of many free internet radio stations, WDSR also accepts music video submissions from indie artists.
Peace!
DSR_CEO