Tips for using music in YouTube videos

Using the right music in your YouTube videos can help to set the tone, evoke emotions, captivate your audience, and enhance the overall viewing experience. However, it's important to use music correctly to avoid copyright issues and ensure you're elevating your video, rather than distracting from it.

To help you optimise your YouTube videos, we've put together an essential guide to using music on YouTube.

Contents:

1. The benefits of using music on YouTube
2. Choosing the right music for your Youtube video
3. Syncing music with your YouTube video
4. Understanding copyright laws
5. Wrapping up

The benefits of using music on YouTube

Adding music to your YouTube videos can help to establish a connection with your audience. Music has a universal appeal and can help to create a sense of community and shared experience. By choosing music that resonates with your target audience, you can create a deeper connection with them and increase engagement with your content.

Music can also help to enhance the storytelling aspect of your videos. By selecting music that complements the narrative arc of your video, you can create a more immersive and impactful viewing experience. This can help to hold your audience's attention and keep them engaged throughout the entire video.

Using music on YouTube can have numerous benefits, from creating an emotional connection with your audience to enhancing the storytelling aspect of your content. By choosing the right type of music and using it strategically, you can elevate your videos and increase engagement with your audience.

Choosing the right music for your YouTube video

Music has a powerful impact on our emotions; it can evoke feelings of joy, sadness, excitement, and even nostalgia. That's why incorporating background music in your YouTube videos can be an effective way to engage your audience and add depth to your content.

Consider the tone and mood of your video

The first step in choosing the right music for your YouTube video is to consider the tone and mood you want to convey. Do you want your video to be upbeat and energetic, or do you want it to be more calming and relaxing? The answer to this question will help you narrow down your music choices.

For example, if you want to create an upbeat and lively video, you might want to choose music with a faster tempo and a catchy melody. On the other hand, if you want to create a more relaxing video, you might want to choose music with a slower tempo and a soothing melody.

You can also use music to reflect and enhance your external environment, for example, if you're a travel vlogger, try using local music that represents the culture and vibe of the location you are visiting. Need more advice on getting started with vlogging on YouTube? We've got you covered.

Consider the genre of music

Another important factor to consider when choosing music for your YouTube video is the genre of music. Different genres of music can evoke different emotions and moods, so it's important to choose a genre that matches the tone and mood of your video.

For example, if you're creating a video about fitness and exercise, you might want to choose music from the electronic or pop genres, as these genres are often associated with energy and motivation. On the other hand, if you're creating a video about nature or meditation, you might want to choose music from the classical or ambient genres, as these genres are often associated with calmness and relaxation.

Consider your audience's preferences

It's also important to consider your audience's preferences when using music on YouTube. Think about the age, gender, and interests of your audience, and choose music that will resonate with them.

For example, if your audience is primarily made up of teenagers, you might want to choose music from the pop or hip-hop genres, as these genres are often popular among this age group. On the other hand, if your audience is primarily made up of older adults, you might want to choose music from the jazz or blues genres, as these genres are often associated with sophistication and elegance.

Align the music with your brand identity and message

Finally, it's important to ensure that the music you choose aligns with your brand identity and message. If you're creating a video for a company or brand, the music should reflect the values and personality of the brand. Just like the language you use, your setting and the background options for your YouTube videos, your music should align with your overall brand image.

For example, if you're creating a video for a luxury brand, you might want to choose music that is sophisticated and elegant. However, if you're creating a video for a fun and playful brand, you might want to choose music that is upbeat and catchy.

Choosing the right music for your YouTube video can be a challenging task, but by considering the tone and mood of your video, the genre of music, your audience's preferences, copyright issues, and your brand identity and message, you can ensure that your video is engaging, memorable, and successful.

Syncing music with your YouTube video

Synchronising music with your YouTube video can be a challenging task. However, it is essential to ensure that the music aligns with the visuals to create an immersive experience for the audience. Here are some tips for syncing music with your YouTube videos.

When it comes to syncing music with your YouTube video, it is important to choose the right track. The music should complement the visuals and enhance the overall feel of the video. For instance, if you are creating a video about a peaceful landscape, you might want to choose a soft and soothing track that matches the mood of the video.

Another important aspect to consider is the tempo of the music. The tempo should match the pace of the video. If the video is fast-paced, you might want to choose an upbeat track that matches the tempo of the video. If the video is slow-paced, however, you might want to choose a slower track that matches the mood of the video.

You can adjust the volume levels to make sure that the music does not overpower the dialogue or sound effects. You can also use fade-ins and fade-outs to create a smooth transition and add drama to your video. Ensure you're using a high-quality microphone so your own audio remains crisp against any background music.

To make sure that the music syncs with your video, start by breaking down the video into smaller segments. You can then choose a suitable track for each sequence. This technique can help you create a more cohesive and engaging video. Additionally, you can use keyframes to sync music beats with specific frames in your video. This technique can create a dramatic effect on the viewer and make your video more engaging.

Lastly, make sure to preview your video with the music to ensure that it creates the desired effect and does not clash with other sound effects or dialogue in the video. You can also ask for feedback from friends or colleagues to get a fresh perspective on the video.

In conclusion, syncing music with your YouTube video can be a challenging task, but with the right techniques and tools, you can create a more engaging and immersive experience for your audience. Remember to choose the right track, match the tempo of the video, break down the video into smaller segments, use keyframes to sync music beats, and preview the video with the music to ensure the desired effect.

Understanding copyright laws

When it comes to using music on YouTube, it is essential to understand the copyright laws to avoid any legal issues. Copyright laws protect the creators of original works, such as music, from having their work used without permission. YouTube has strict guidelines on the use of copyrighted music, and failure to abide by them can result in your video being removed or demonetised.

So, what can you do to ensure that you are using music legally on YouTube? Firstly, you can use royalty-free music. Royalty-free music is music that you can use without having to pay royalties or fees for each use. There are many websites that offer royalty-free music that you can use in your YouTube videos. Some of these websites include:

• AudioJungle
• Epidemic Sound
• PremiumBeat
• Motion Array
• BenSound

Another option is to purchase a license from the artist or composer to use their music legally. This option is more expensive than using royalty-free music, but it is a great way to support the artists and composers whose music you love.

Lastly, you can use the YouTube Audio Library, which provides a vast collection of free music for use in your videos. The YouTube Audio Library is a great resource for creators who are just starting and do not have the budget to purchase music licenses or pay for royalty-free music.

It is important to note that even if the music you are using is royalty-free or from the YouTube Audio Library, It's good practice to give credit to the artist or composer by adding a link to the description box. This not only shows appreciation for their work but also helps your audience discover new artists and music. Giving credit is a way of acknowledging the hard work and creativity that went into creating the music you are using.

In conclusion, understanding the copyright laws for music on YouTube is essential for any creator who wants to avoid legal issues. By using royalty-free music, purchasing licenses, or using the YouTube Audio Library, you can ensure that you are using music legally. Remember to always give credit to the artist or composer, even if the music is royalty-free.

Wrapping up

Music is an essential element in creating engaging YouTube videos. With the above advice, you can effectively incorporate music into your YouTube videos, create an emotional connection with your audience, and make a lasting impression.

However, music is just one element of your video, so it shouldn't overshadow the main message or purpose of your content. Using music on YouTube should be seen as a tool to enhance your video and create a memorable experience for your audience.

Remember to abide by copyright laws and choose the right music that aligns with your brand and message. With these best practices, your YouTube videos are sure to stand out from the crowd!

If you're looking for more ways to up your YouTube game, check out our essential video camera buying guide.