Audio – Music / Sound Effects / Voice-overs

Tip: Be VERY CAREFUL using music with lyrics. One of the worst book trailers I have ever seen took the back cover paragraph and showed the words a few at a time as titles over three minutes, then used music with lyrics. No matter how many times I watched the trailer, I could not follow the words in the titles with lyrics being sung.

As you acquire media (images, music…) keep a copy of the receipt or other permission so that if you are challenged later you have your documented permission to use them. As an example if a friend gives me an image to use I make the request in an email outlining what I am going to do with it and then save their reply with their permission.

Useful sites when searching for media

incompetech.com by Kevin MacLeod

  • Kevin has an excellent list of other sites at the bottom of his Music FAQ page
  • Kevin’s music is probably the most popular book trailer music out there for several reasons.
    • The music is excellent
    • The website is well structured to help find that perfect piece
    • For a book trailer, credit Kevin and there is no cost. CC BY

creativecommons.org/legalmusicforvideos

  • List of music for videos licensed under the Creative Commons license

leefitzsimmons.com

  • Lee Fitzsimmons has a number of audio songs for free use in book trailers.

fiverr.com

  • The marketplace for creative & professional services – popular site voice-overs, animation and other creative services starting at $5 US per gig

Images/Photos

Stock Footage