Here’s a List of Some of the Best Royalty-Free Stock Footage and Audio Sites
Jamie Perez • March 28, 2024
For professional content creators who rely on paid sites for their video and audio needs, here's a list of subscription-based video and audio libraries that content creators can consider for access to a wide range of high-quality video footage and audio assets:
For Royalty-Free Stock Footage:
- Pexels: Pexels offers a vast collection of high-quality, free stock videos that you can use for any purpose, including commercial projects.
- Videvo: Videvo provides a wide range of free and premium stock footage and motion graphics. They have a user-friendly search filter and offer HD and 4K videos.
- Pixabay: Pixabay not only offers free stock images but also has a growing library of free videos and animations for your creative needs.
- Videezy: Videezy features a community-driven collection of free and premium HD stock footage. They offer a variety of video categories to choose from.
- Coverr: Coverr specializes in providing free, visually appealing videos for website backgrounds. Their selection is updated regularly.
- Storyblocks (formerly Videoblocks): While it's primarily a subscription-based service, Storyblocks offers a free section with a limited selection of high-quality videos.
For Royalty-Free Stock Audio:
- YouTube Audio Library: YouTube provides a wide range of free music and sound effects that you can use in your videos without worrying about copyright issues.
- Free Music Archive: FMA offers a vast collection of music tracks that are free to use, with options for various licenses.
- Incompetech: Incompetech is known for its extensive library of royalty-free music composed by Kevin MacLeod. You can use his music in your projects by giving proper credit.
- AudioJungle: While it offers paid music tracks, AudioJungle also has a free section that includes high-quality audio tracks and sound effects.
- Free Music for Videos: This website provides a selection of free music tracks specifically curated for video creators, with easy-to-understand licensing terms.
- SoundCloud: Many independent artists and creators share their music on SoundCloud under Creative Commons licenses. Be sure to check the license details for each track.
Remember to review the licensing terms and restrictions for each resource to ensure compliance with your specific project needs. Always attribute or credit the creators when required, and consider supporting these creators whenever possible, especially if you find their work valuable for your content. ***
Subscription-Based Video Libraries:
- Artgrid: Artgrid offers a subscription service that provides access to a diverse collection of high-quality cinematic footage. They offer various subscription tiers based on video quality and licensing options.
- Storyblocks: Storyblocks offers an extensive library of stock footage, motion backgrounds, and After Effects templates. They offer affordable subscription plans for unlimited downloads.
- Shutterstock Footage: Shutterstock provides a vast collection of stock footage with various subscription options, allowing you to access video clips in different resolutions.
- Getty Images Video: Getty Images offers a subscription service that includes premium video content alongside their renowned image library.
- Adobe Stock: Adobe Stock, in addition to images, offers a wide range of video assets. It seamlessly integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
- Envato Elements: Envato Elements is a subscription-based platform that includes stock video footage, After Effects templates, and a plethora of creative assets for designers and video editors.
Subscription-Based Audio Libraries:
- Epidemic Sound: Epidemic Sound offers a subscription service that grants access to a vast library of royalty-free music and sound effects designed for content creators.
- PremiumBeat: PremiumBeat, a Shutterstock company, provides a subscription service with access to a diverse selection of high-quality music tracks for videos.
- Artlist: Artlist offers a subscription-based music licensing service for content creators, with a simple and straightforward licensing structure.
- Soundstripe: Soundstripe provides a subscription service that offers unlimited access to their music library for video projects. They also offer sound effects and stock video.
- Pond5: Pond5 offers a subscription plan that includes access to a vast library of music tracks, sound effects, and video footage, making it a one-stop shop for multimedia content.
- Musicbed: Musicbed offers a subscription option for unlimited access to their music catalog, which includes a wide range of genres and moods.
When choosing a subscription-based library, consider your specific needs, budget, and the types of projects you'll be working on. Each platform may have its own unique features, licensing terms, and pricing structures, so it's essential to review them carefully to find the best fit for your content creation workflow. ***
Most of the time when nonprofit organizations are sharing stories, we are hearing from staff members, the founder and clients. All of these are perfectly fine stories to tell... but what about sharing the donor stories? When a nonprofit has regular donors, there's probably a story behind WHY they believe in your cause so much. There's a heartfelt element to why out of all the nonprofits they could donate to -- why do they choose YOURS to give to time and time again? They most likely relate to your mission. They believe what you believe about a problem that needs to be addressed and they wanted to be part of the solution. Maybe they went through a traumatic situation that your organization is helping people solve. Get to know your donors. Be curious. They're just as much a part of your organization as your staff and clientele. By sharing their stories, they not only feel more involved in an organization they already care so deeply about, but it also could be a great way to attract MORE donors who can relate to their story. Donors give because of stories -- their gifts don't come from coercion; they come from emotion, a desire to connect. It opens up a relationship and this is how wallets open and lives are transformed. People want to know they belong to something and that they're making a difference. It feels good for anyone to know they're needed, wanted and appreciated. Show them the impact of their gift through storytelling. Don't just focus on them when you need something from them. Engage them. Make them part of the organization's journey. To help get you started, here are a couple questions that could ignite some great soundbites when interviewing your donors: What happened in your life that makes you so compelled to support our cause? Why is this need so important to address? With these questions, you're not only asking them to address the need that your organization is addressing, but you're still focusing on THEIR story. By bringing them along this journey and asking these questions, it helps remind them why they give monetary gifts to you. And their story and their reasons could encourage others to do the same. BE CURIOUS. THESE ARE THE TYPES OF STORIES THAT ARE NEVER TOLD BECAUSE WE NEVER ASK . By being curious, sharing THEIR story, you're showing them you not only care about them helping your cause, but you care about them as people. And who doesn't like to share their story with someone who is truly interested?
Owner of Beyond Words Jamie Perez interviews woman on camera in studio setting
We see this time and time again... organizations wanting to tell an emotive story through video and then being disappointed that the final product wasn't as heart-tugging as they'd hoped. This mainly happens for three reasons: 1. Controlling the narrative. There are too many cooks in the kitchen. Organizations want to include everyone in the conversation and then there's too many opinions on what should be included in the video, who should be included, what should be shown, etc. This convolutes the message and becomes a jamboree of information and takes away from the natural flow of what the true story should be. 2. Trying to fit everything into one video. Organizations often don't think about what it truly means to tell a story. It's not talking about all the facts and features of the organizations, the different types of programs, showing the building, etc. We don't need to know everything about you. We KNOW you're doing incredible work, but we can read the facts and figures through the caption or text on your website. What we want to see and feel is the stories and emotions that accompany what you do. Which brings us to the next point... 3. Focusing on the features rather than the people. While it's great to inform people of the logistics of your organization -- those things are often not unique and they don't really retain people's attention. What does accomplish these two things, however, is gripping people by the heartstrings by focusing on one or two people's stories to show the audience the impact you make. It's not about telling me all the generalities of your organization. We really need to hyperfocus on ONE story that embodies the difference you make in people's lives. Remember what a story truly is. It has characters, it follows a journey, it presents a problem, a solution, has layers, and evokes emotion. If your videos are mostly just a summary of what you do as an organization, then you haven't really told a story. You've told me WHAT your organization does. The true heartfelt stories are always found in the WHY.
