You’ve heard our message that video is a powerful marketing tool and you’re ready to give it a try. Before you record and edit your first video, you need to be aware of music copyrights. One slip can result in your video being removed from a social media platform like Facebook or the video hub, YouTube. It’s easy to avoid this pitfall when you know which video music sources are safe to use.
Music Copyrights
If you did not create the music you are using in your video, odds are high that it is under copyright. Don’t think that you can hide a popular song in the background of the video and have it go unnoticed. YouTube and other large social media companies use sophisticated software to identify if your video has copyrighted music, and the penalties for using music without permission can be harsh. Naming the the artist and giving them credit is not enough to cover your bases. Using just a few seconds of the music isn’t an acceptable practice, either. Give creators credit where it’s due, and follow the rules when you use their music. There are several video music sources you can use to play it safe and use music fairly in your videos.
Video Music Sources
There are a variety of ways to obtain music for your videos. These sources fit every budget. Some offer free content, and others allow you to pay a monthly fee to access their catalog of music. Here are some of the most commonly used video music sources:
- YouTube Audio Library. Upload your video and use YouTube’s library to access free music and sound effects.
- Creative Commons. This is a system that allows you to legally use “some rights reserved” music for free when you follow their terms. Visit the site for links to music published under Creative Commons’ flexible copyright licenses.
- The Public Domain Project. Find royalty free stock music with a paid monthly subscription.
- Getty Images Music. Bring your video stories to life with royalty-free music as part of the Premium Access Plan.
- The Music Bed. Subscriptions start at $9.99 for a personal plan and grant you access to their catalog. You can also make single song purchases.
- Free Music Archive. As the name implies, you can find royalty-free music at no cost.
There are lots of options for video creators to choose from with all the free and low-cost sources! For more video creation pointers, see our post about the why you should embrace video for your business.