In one of my earlier projects, we initially overlooked the importance of proper music licensing, which led to a stressful situation involving copyright claims and re-editing. It was a valuable lesson that highlighted the risks of not prioritizing licensing. Since then, I’ve made music licensing a key focus in every project. I always educate clients about the legal and reputational risks of using unlicensed music and provide them with budget-friendly licensing options that align with their video’s tone. This approach not only ensures compliance but also enhances the overall quality and credibility of the final product. By addressing music licensing upfront, we avoid complications and deliver a seamless experience for our clients.

Each platform handles copyright strikes differently. The video may be removed or just silenced and then usually some sort of copyright message is visible. This is a bad look for any brand but the biggest impact is the break in momentum if the video was trending or going viral. You usually can’t get that back so I advise clients of those potential pitfalls and then take a hard stance on using unlicensed music.

As much as your client may want to use Simply the Best, by Tina Turner, I explain that I pay a monthly subscription to a reputable company that provide lots of decent music, there are even opportunities for free music, without subscription, provided you credit the creator/artist. You will sleep much better at night knowing you’ve done the right thing, give the creative people the respect they deserve.

Easy.. do you want all the hard work and planning that went into the production and marketing of your content to all be thrown away or removed because of unlicensed music? Usually the answer is no, so to avoid wasted time and unnecessary re-editing and re-shooting the content just get the song you need cleared or use another song that you can get the license to. There’s plenty great websites out now with affordable/subscription pricing!

I ensure clients understand music licensing by explaining potential risks like copyright claims or legal penalties, highlighting benefits like protecting their brand and monetization, sharing real-life examples, and recommending affordable licensing options. This builds trust and safeguards their content.