There is a positive correlation between adding music and increased productivity. The entirety of it all. Do you really believe that everyone’s favourite boxing hero, Rocky, would look as cool bouncing up the stairs of Philadelphia’s Museum of Art without that rousing theme song? It’s hard to imagine that the cinematic impact of the a Villeneuve or Nolan film would be the same without Hans Zimmer just at helm of the musical composition. Ok, we’ll be honest here: it’s not quite.
Unless you’re a skilled music producer, you might have trouble creating and uploading original music to accompany your Instagram and/or TikTok videos. And even if you do, you probably won’t have the time to make a new tune for each short you upload, given the time and energy required to build a career through these platforms.
Instagram and TikTok creators have a problem on their hands: they aren’t making the next Rocky. To be fair, it’s highly unlikely that Hans Zimmer is standing by, ready to compose an original score for your cooking tutorials, no matter how exciting your culinary innovations may be.
There is an infinite number of songs at our disposal, both well-known and previously unheard. However, putting your own advertising message on it is not the same as listening to it for fun. Reason being, the law treats copyrighted and fair use of such material differently.
Read on to find out what this distinction entails and how to add music to your videos without incurring any additional costs or risking suspension of your account.
The Best Way to Use Music in Your Instagram and TikTok Videos Without Breaking the Bank
What Is Copyrighted Material and What Is Fair Use?
Copyright laws exist to prevent the unauthorised duplication, distribution, or public display of an author’s work. Everything from songs and novels to poems and code falls under this category. In every way, it’s comprehensive.
Think about it this way: how might you feel if someone was profiting off of something you made, but you had no say in the matter and never saw a dime of the money made? Those who are brave enough to act may face legal action from the content’s rightful owner.
Copyright laws are protected by the terms of service that TikTok and Instagram users must abide by and the legal commitments they make by using these platforms.
This is where the metaphorically speaking rubber meets the road. After all, the original purposes of both Instagram and TikTok were for users to connect with their local communities and with people from all over the world who shared similar interests. Those who use their accounts for social purposes only are able to benefit from the music of their favourite artists under the guise of “fair use,” provided that their uploads meet the following criteria:
- When used in conjunction with other works, proper attribution is always included.
- There is a video to which the music is synced.
- A song’s use requires that it be relatively short in length. It’s no surprise that Instagram posts and stories, as well as TikTok videos, benefit from this.
- Most of us are aware, however, that platforms like Instagram and TikTok can be exploited for financial gain. Furthermore, they are frequently used by people who are generally referred to as “influencers.”
Perhaps a well-known company has paid an Instagrammer or TikToker with a sizable fan base to post branded content. A well-known designer may have, for example, hired an amateur fashion commentator to promote the designer’s wares. Another interpretation: a meat-lover who works as a grill salesman for Home Depot. And, of course, we can’t deny that every single one of these “influencers” is actually just pushing their own products. You have entered the world of advertising as it will exist in the future.
But without permission, how do you know the composer of the song you used in your video believes in the same things as you do? Is it possible to claim that an artist backs the brands you’re sponsored by without ever asking them? Is it sufficient to merely enjoy their music to the point where you employ it? To say it plainly, no, it isn’t.
In order to avoid financial burdens, you can spice up your content without taking any unnecessary risks.
There are ways to avoid music licencing and royalty payments if you have turned your social media accounts into a moneymaker, or if you intend to do so in the near future. Furthermore, some approaches are naturally more intricate than others. However, pay close attention if you are generating any income from either of these venues. If you don’t do this, then your efforts to go viral will have been for naught.