Why This Matters
Video has quickly become a necessity in the digital economy and content marketing plans. Getting people’s attention, stopping the scroll, and telling your story quickly and effectively can be best accomplished through video. High quality sound (audio/music) is quite often what sets a professional video apart from an amateur video. Like much robust media you need to think carefully whether you want a professional to create your videos, music or audio or if you want to spend the many hours it can take to create your own.
Resources
Video
Pros and Cons of DIY Video Production vs Hiring a Video Production Company
8 Types of Videos Brands Should Use in Marketing Campaigns – A list of ideas to use in marketing and brand campaigns
Social Media Video – Tips & tricks for videos on social media
How to Create Short Videos for Social Media – Creating engaging short videos
Recommendations
Video Creation
Vimeo Create – This is primarily a video platform that hosts videos but they have an easy-to-use video creation software too. There is a basic free plan as well as paid tiers depending on the type of videos you wish to create.
Videvo – Free Stock Video Footage HD 4K Download Royalty-Free Clips
Canva – Their video creator and editor comes with already set up templates for Instagram Stories, YouTube banners and more. There is a free version (also free for registered charities or nonprofits) as well as various paid tiers depending on your need. This has many graphic design based tools. Video is just one of many things it does. Note: if you are a nonprofit you can inquire about the nonprofit rate.
Adobe Spark – Created for designers to create posts and web pages and allows you to incorporate motion and video. This is a paid service with some free options. Like Canva this is a web based tool and does many things – video is a side feature.
iMovie on the App Store – iMovie can be used on your Mac computer or your iPhone. It’s a straightforward way of editing videos however if you’ve never edited videos before there is a learning curve.
Video Recording Software for screen-sharing
Loom – With Loom, you can record your screen, voice, and face to create an instantly shareable video in less time than it would take to type an email. Videos are automatically copied into your clipboard and ready to be pasted. Loom also offers some post-record editing options that other free competitors do not have.
Snagit – Snag-it you can take screenshots and mock them up, take video and audio recordings. SnagIt doesn’t has no free option and must be purchased after the free trial to continue using, however, it’s worth it.
Panopto – Panopto is a software that provides lecture recording, screencasting, video streaming, and video content management software, which is often used in E-learning environments.
Vidyard – Vidyard’s free screen recorder for desktop makes it easy to create videos that get results.
Audio and Music
There are many free or royalty free videos and audio/music you can use as well. Keep in mind some have specific rules about “crediting” and how to use so review the rules before downloading and using.
Voice Actors – Find & Hire Top Voice Over Talent – For voice overs in marketing videos
Creative Commons – Legal Music For Videos – Many musicians choose to release their songs under Creative Commons licenses, which give you the legal right to do things like use their music in your videos. Creative Commons is a system that allows you to legally use “some rights reserved” music, movies, images, and other content — all for free.
Royalty Free Music by Bensound | Stock Music – Offers free stock music tracks to use in a variety of projects, including animations, slideshows, website background music, web adverts etc (remember to give credit)
Royalty Free Music by SoundCloud – Online audio distribution platform and music sharing website
Royalty Free Stock Music By Motion Array – Membership-based website focused on delivering the highest quality, user-friendly After Effects templates, stock music and stock video products, at the most affordable prices, (good source for video templates too).
Royalty Free Music by A Shamaluev Music – Music for content creators and filmmakers
Curated Music Licensing Agency by Marmoset – Curated premium licensing agency
Royalty-Free Music Licensing and Sound Effects by Artlist.io – For video, film and Youtube