Royalty-Free Music for Your Brand Videos: What You Need to Know
Music is an important part of any video, especially brand videos. It can set the tone and mood of your video, and it can help communicate your brand message more effectively.
However, finding the right music for your video can be a challenge. You want to find something that fits the tone and style of your video, but you also don’t want to spend a lot of money on licensing fees.
That’s where royalty-free music comes in.
What Is Royalty-Free Music?
Royalty-free music is a type of music that you can use in your videos without having to pay any ongoing royalties or licensing fees. This means that you can use the music in as many videos as you want, for as long as you want, without having to worry about paying any additional fees.
There are a few different ways that you can find royalty-free music for your videos. You can buy royalty-free music tracks, download free royalty-free music, or create your own royalty-free music.
Types of Music Licenses
There are three main types of music licenses:
1. Public Domain Music
Public domain music is music that is not protected by copyright and can be used by anyone for any purpose. This includes traditional folk songs, classical music, and works that have been specifically released into the public domain.
While you don’t need to obtain a license to use public domain music, it’s important to be aware that some public domain music may still have performance rights that need to be cleared.
2. Copyrighted Music
Copyrighted music is music that is protected by copyright and can only be used with the permission of the copyright holder.
If you want to use copyrighted music in your video, you will need to obtain a license from the copyright holder. This can be done by contacting the copyright holder directly or through a licensing agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.
3. Royalty-Free Music
Royalty-free music is music that is not protected by copyright and can be used by anyone for any purpose. However, unlike public domain music, royalty-free music is not free to use. You will need to pay a one-time fee to use the music in your video.
Music protected by free licenses, such as Creative Commons licenses, can also be considered royalty-free music. However, it’s important to read the terms of the license carefully to make sure you are cleared to use the music in your video.
In addition, there are 3 types of royalty-free music licenses:
a. Standard Royalty-Free Music License
This is the most common type of royalty-free music license. With a standard royalty-free music license, you can use the licensed track in your video without having to pay any additional royalties or fees. You will need to pay a one-time fee to license the track, but you can then use it in as many videos as you want.
b. Extended Royalty-Free Music License
An extended royalty-free music license gives you the same rights as a standard license, but it also allows you to use the track in other commercial projects, such as on your website or in a TV advert.
c. Custom Royalty-Free Music License
A custom royalty-free music license is a bespoke license that is specifically tailored to your needs. If you want to use a track in a way that is not covered by a standard or extended license, you will need to get a custom license. To get a custom license, you will need to contact the copyright holder directly.
The Risks of Using Copyrighted Music for Your Brand Videos
If you use copyrighted music in your brand videos without obtaining a license, you could be liable for copyright infringement. This means that you could be sued by the copyright holder and be required to pay damages.
In addition, using copyrighted music in your videos could result in your video being removed from social media platforms, such as YouTube, and your channel being banned.
Therefore, it’s important to make sure that you have the appropriate license before using any copyrighted music in your brand videos.
Where to Find Royalty-Free Music for Your Brand Videos
There are a few different places you can find royalty-free music for your brand videos. Some of your
1. Royalty-Free Music Libraries
Many online music libraries offer royalty-free tracks. These libraries typically have a large selection of tracks to choose from, and you can usually filter the tracks by genre, mood, or length.
Some popular royalty-free music libraries include:
2. Music Licensing Websites
There are also a number of music licensing websites that offer royalty-free tracks. These websites typically have a smaller selection of tracks than music libraries, but they can be a good place to find tracks that are specifically tailored to your needs.
Some popular music licensing websites include:
3. Stock Music Sites
Stock music sites are another option for finding royalty-free tracks. These types of sites are similar to music libraries but usually have a smaller selection of tracks. In addition, stock music sites typically charge a subscription fee, rather than a per-track fee.
Some popular stock music sites include:
4. YouTube Audio Library
The YouTube Audio Library is a free resource that you can use to find royalty-free music for your brand videos. The Audio Library contains a range of different tracks, including music and sound effects.
To access the YouTube Audio Library, go to your YouTube account settings and click on “Create”. Then, select “Audio Library” from the drop-down menu.
5. Creative Commons
Creative Commons is a non-profit organization that offers a range of different licenses for creative works, including music. Creative Commons licenses allow you to use and modify creative works, as long as you credit the creator.
To find Creative Commons-licensed music, you can search for “Creative Commons music” or “CC-licensed music” on a search engine. You can also find a list of Creative Commons-licensed music on the Creative Commons website.
When using Creative Commons-licensed music, it’s important to read the terms of the license carefully to make sure you are using the track in accordance with the terms.
Make Your Brand Videos Stand Out with the Right Music
Choosing the right music for your brand videos is an important part of making sure your videos are successful. However, it’s also important to make sure that you have the appropriate license for any copyrighted music you use.
For more tips on brand videography and anything related to digital marketing, visit our blog at https://www.ilfusion.com/blog.
