If you’ve come across this article, there’s a good chance you’re stuck in corporate video hell trying desperately to find music that doesn’t totally suck. You want music that gives your presentation the ultimate assist by lifting its production value and drawing your audience in without overwhelming the experience.
The good news is that you definitely have choices. There’s an incredible array of licensable music out there ready for your project. The bad news is that many people in your shoes get stuck when they’re faced with so many choices. They may also make the assumption that a corporate video’s music can’t be fun. If you’ve started your own search for “corporate video music,” you’ve probably encountered plenty of tracks that make you wish you’d just gone with a silent film.
But, as we like to say, just because it's “corporate music” doesn't mean it has to be bland. YOU’RE not bland, and if you’re here, you probably work at a corporation, right?
The team here at ALIBI Music feels so passionate about this that we’ve even created a special playlist:
. We’re not serving up tapioca from a box that’s been in the pantry since 2003. Nope, this playlist of royalty-free music feels like the pop, dance and indie styles of today. Mainstream without too much edge. Softly cool, but not cringy ‘kewl.” You won’t offend any of your consumers/users/viewers with these sounds but you also won’t offend their taste.We’ve also created 8 helpful tips that will help you ditch the dull and find corporate video music that actually rocks. But first, what are we actually talking about when we say corporate videos?
What are corporate videos and why should you care?
Today’s corporate videos are short, professional films created to serve a number of needs, from branding stories, product demonstrations, training videos and explainers to corporate announcements, customer testimonials, event coverage, recruitment videos and case studies. Corporate videos may be internal or external, but they all share a common goal: to enhance brand visibility, convey complex information clearly and engage audiences through high-quality visuals and compelling narratives.
Music can play a huge part in creating successful corporate videos, and the track(s) you choose often have the power to enthrall or complete lose an audience, so selecting the right music is vital.
So, let’s dig right in, shall we? Here are our 7 tips for choosing the perfect corporate video music and proving that these tracks can be anything but ordinary.
1. Match your music with the mood.
As we noted above, corporate videos can take a number of forms, each with its own goals for setting a particular mood or tone. Start by asking yourself whether the message in your video is energetic and exciting, or calm and reassuring. Your track should vibe with the mood of your message. ALIBI’s new
, for example, features tracks with a range of vibes, whether you’re looking to pump up the energy or set a more soothing backdrop.Pro Tip: For motivational content, choose upbeat tracks with lively melodies. For something more reflective, search for ambient, mellow tracks.
2. Avoid overused music.
Those of us charged with making corporate videos may be tempted to use instantly familiar tracks or “songs of the moment.” But not only is this music often overplayed and tired, but it is also likely very expensive to license. Instead, choose fresh, unique tracks in similar genres that will keep your audience’s attention. ALIBI’s
features music in all current genres, created by talented, up-and-coming artists and composers that ditch the cliché to give your video a standout sound.Pro Tip: Seek out contemporary tracks with innovative sounds. Fresh beats can give your video a modern and memorable edge.
3. Synch with your visuals.
As we noted above, your corporate video’s music should lift its production value and draw your audience in without overwhelming the experience. The ideal track(s) will enhance, not overshadow, your visuals. Be sure to match pacing and transitions with the rhythm of your track. Use driving beats for fast-paced montages and smoother, more stylish music for sleek product showcases.
Pro Tip: If you’re using ALIBI’s playlist to find tracks, try our
tool to align your music perfectly with different segments of your video.4. Look for versatility.
As ALIBI’s founder likes to say, a truly versatile track will appear like a
in structure if you look at the wav file. This represents the emotional peaks, valley, edit points and builds that allow you to pull snippets that can be used across various platforms and video formats. A well-structured, versatile track can elevate not just one video but several, from social media snippets to full-length presentations.Pro Tip: Browse our
for tracks with this specialized format that can fit a wide range of uses and formats.5. Keep it royalty-free.
You will avoid legal headaches and additional costs is you choose royalty-free music or libraries where the royalty is covered in your fee. Sure, that Dua Lipa track sounds good backing up your brand video, but is it worth the risk of being sued for copyright infringement and paying extra fees?ALIBI’s
features tracks that not only hit the same vibe as today’s most popular artists, but they are also royalty-free, so you can use them with peace of mind.Pro Tip: Double-check any music library’s licensing terms to ensure the track you choose is truly royalty-free. Any reputable company will have that spelled out.
6. Make Sure It’s Whitelisted.
Streaming services like YouTube have algorithms set to identify and match copyrighted music and flag it if used illegally. For instance, YouTube’s Content ID generates a copyright claim that lets the rights holder of a particular infringed song block and/or demonetize the content in which it’s used. So, if you’re planning to post your shiny, new corporate branding video on YouTube, you’ll want to license your music from a library whose subscription covers allow listing, so you don’t get flagged.
Pro Tip: Read this
for more on whitelisting and other AlIBI subscription benefits.7. Look for stems and alt versions.
We’re taking it back to flexibility! Music with stems (individual tracks like drums, vocals and bass) and alt versions (different edits of the same track) gives you the ability to customize your sound to integrate seamlessly into your corporate video’s various segments and transitions.
Pro Tip: All tracks on ALIBI’s
feature stems and alt versions that let you tailor the music precisely to your corporate video’s needs.8. Play around with your music it to find the perfect fit.
Avoid settling for the first track you hear, but rather take the time to experiment with different options and see how they fit your corporate video. You’d be surprised at the difference in vibes you get by swapping one song for another. That ideal track is there if you try it out.
Pro Tip: ALIBI’s
for Adobe Premiere Pro lets you try out different tracks right in your edit session before you commit!So, what are you waiting for? Check out ALIBI’s
playlist right now, and kick that drab, overplayed stuff to the curb.