31 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
31 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Is there a reason hardly anyone uses background music in pitch videos??

by Trentor
26 replies
I'm putting together a pitch video for a niche product I'm selling and I was considering putting some background music in the video as I talk about it to add to feel of it.

I was wondering if this is a good/bad idea just because I've hardly seen anyone else use music in their pitch videos??
#background #music #pitch #reason #videos
  • Profile picture of the author shmerns
    I like background music in pitch videos and I always put it in. Seems more professional to me. Do it
    Signature
    This May Just Be The Last Tool You EVER Use For Leads…
    www.LoriPetrosino.com
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5714643].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HarrieB
    I suggest a soft, background music. It helps sometimes.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5714693].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
      There's a thin line between effective and cheesey as far as music goes. I discovered this the hard way even with music which I assumed would sound good.

      Daniel
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5714785].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Cataclysm1987
        Originally Posted by Daniel Evans View Post

        There's a thin line between effective and cheesey as far as music goes. I discovered this the hard way even with music which I assumed would sound good.

        Daniel
        Totally true.

        If in doubt, just don't use any music at all.
        Signature

        No signature here today!

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5714827].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Gail_Curran
        Music is fine at the beginning and end of videos, but it can be highly distracting if it's in the background while someone is talking. It takes a good ear to use it properly.
        .
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5714861].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Bill_Z
    I've always used it. Make sure the volume level is not too high, and pick music that goes with the general "feel" of the video and it's pace.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5714845].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author rooze
    Please don't use background music when people are talking. Your brain cannot perform the tasks needed to process the music and the dialogue simultaneously. You're just taking away from your sales pitch and annoying the heck out of half-deaf stoners from the 80's, like myself.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5714902].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Matt Ausin
    Here's the thing.

    If you don't know how to put music to your video... Then don't do it.

    And I'm not talking about your technical ability to plunk a piece of music into your video editing software.

    Music is another, completely separate layer of communication. If you don't know how to speak the language.. Don't.

    Music has to match the pace.. the mood.. the dynamics of the video. Otherwise it looks unprofessional and forced and distracts from your message. (Hint: you don't want this to happen)

    Similarly, if you want somebody to buy anything from you, you make sure there are no glaring grammar mistakes in your text, don't you?

    Music is the same
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5714946].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dawn Wise
    If you're going to add music to the background, you better test it against other types of music an no music to find out if it's effective for you. Unless I get to choose the music, I'd probably rather not hear music while you're talking to me.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5714995].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author canada94
    I think any background music is a pain in the butt, you want people to remember what your message is, not what the annoying background music is...it's 2012 now, not the 70's.lol [ rant over]


    Kevin
    Signature

    [B]If you are looking to turn your ebook into an Amazon bestseller,then visit http://babystepspublishinglimited.com,and let me help you

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5715203].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Anurmedia
    Well It`s a problem to create a background music yourself, but you can use royalty free music, but that is not very original. YouTube made a research that if you have a background music in your video viewers are more engaged. ReelSEO guys reported on that research.

    As far as pitch videos go, if you have a killer content and a very good script for your video, that you don`t need a background music. Charisma and speaking skills also help a lot.

    I deliver my pitch videos with the old John Carlton formula:
    1. Here`s what I got. (Title)
    2. Here`s what it will do for you. (main content, features and benefits)
    3. Her`s what I want you to do next. (the pitch)

    How about you guys?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5715249].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by Anurmedia View Post

      Well It`s a problem to create a background music yourself, but you can use royalty free music, but that is not very original. YouTube made a research that if you have a background music in your video viewers are more engaged. ReelSEO guys reported on that research.

      As far as pitch videos go, if you have a killer content and a very good script for your video, that you don`t need a background music. Charisma and speaking skills also help a lot.

      I deliver my pitch videos with the old John Carlton formula:
      1. Here`s what I got. (Title)
      2. Here`s what it will do for you. (main content, features and benefits)
      3. Her`s what I want you to do next. (the pitch)

      How about you guys?
      That's the point I was waiting to see in the above posts -- music isn't always free for use. It's not any different than snagging copyrighted material. The good stuff often costs money and many people who are putting up video ads aren't really looking to spring a price for ad production.
      Signature

      Sal
      When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
      Beyond the Path

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5715502].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    As a customer, I hate music in informational videos. It's rarely music that I would consider listening to on my own and doesn't add a thing to the sales message. It's a distraction.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5715504].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    It's risky, has to be really well done if you're going to use music. Check out this site, its got decent music or reasonable bucks.

    MUSIC BAKERY: Royalty Free Music Downloads & Royalty Free Music CD Buyout Production Music Libraries
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5716548].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Marty S
      [DELETED]
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5716773].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Jeff Henshaw
        I'm putting together a pitch video for a niche product I'm selling and I was considering putting some background music in the video as I talk about it to add to feel of it.
        I think that the quote below sums up the answer:

        If you don't know how to put music to your video... Then don't do it.

        And I'm not talking about your technical ability to plunk a piece of music into your video editing software.

        Music is another, completely separate layer of communication. If you don't know how to speak the language.. Don't.

        Music has to match the pace.. the mood.. the dynamics of the video. Otherwise it looks unprofessional and forced and distracts from your message. (Hint: you don't want this to happen)

        Similarly, if you want somebody to buy anything from you, you make sure there are no glaring grammar mistakes in your text, don't you?

        Music is the same
        Obviously, if there is no speech, just slides or text then music is a usually good idea! I appreciate that this is not the situation of the op, who wishes to use speech in the video, but I thought that I'd mention it.

        Finally, as has already been mentioned in the thread, for goodness sake ensure that you have a vaild license on file for any music or graphics that you use.

        Just my thoughts,

        Jeff.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5716848].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author REHughes
        Originally Posted by Marty S View Post

        You will never get a definitive answer for this, only individual opinions. Each video is different and depending on the content, tempo and theme of your message, background music can potentially help create a more effective message.

        For those who say background music is annoying or useless, try to imagine your favorite movie without the enhancement of a music score.... not even close to the same effectiveness. Effective use of music is proven to help viewers pay closer attention and remember content as well. Our human brains are actually very responsive to music, and that is why it is used all the time in professional productions. Background music should be selective though, and rarely will it be effective for the entire video.

        Background music can be used for effects such as when you want to add emphasis, speed up the tempo of the video, describe a sequence of steps, create a cold-stop for suspense, introduce a theme or feeling to your message, segway into a related message, create a time jump, etc., etc...

        However, I agree with Matt above in saying that if you are just putting it in for the sake of it, then you are probably better off not using it at all.

        Also, error on the side of moderation and be sure to always ask yourself if your background music is really making the presentation better or not.
        I have to agree here. Personally, I like background music in videos, especially promo videos. I wouldn't want music in a webinar or something like that, but I think it plays a large part in the SELLING of your product.
        But, as stated, it has to match everything about your video.

        I'm not a video master by any means, but I am a 52 year old pianist who has played since I was 8, and when playing at church, I know when to emphasize, what to emphasize, what type of music is needed for any narration, and when I just need to sit quietly.

        Just throwing a track of any kind of music behind a random video will definitely cost you. My advice, if you don't know how, have someone experienced do it, of just leave it out.

        It can be a real killer.

        Best of Luck,
        Robert
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5718812].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author YasirYar
    Personally, I'm not a fan of background music since it makes it harder to listen to the person speaking. OTOH, fade in music could be useful. You also may want to soft background music when pictures are flashing across the page. However, when there is video of someone speaking, you definitely want to avoid that.
    Signature

    >>>Get your websites ACTUALLY ranked by checking these out: Quantum SEO Labs, Home Page Link Building & SERP Ability. Want to get rid of negative listings? Check out Reputation Enhancer.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5716798].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author BurtL
    You need to use music carefully. If I learned anything from my college course film music, music sets the tone of the scene. If not used properly you'll confuse the viewer. Film your sales pitch with/without music. Then see if the music puts you in the proper mood. If all you remember is the music, then you're doing something wrong. It should enhance your speech not distract it.

    Then like you should do for any sales page, split test it.
    Signature

    Aphasia: Loss of Language NOT Intelligence.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5716871].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Daystar11
    I really dislike music in informational videos. I find it very distracting and annoying. I don't like videos with no speech, either- even simple slide videos are better with a voice over imho
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5717714].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author David Sneen
    Suzanne hit on a very good point. Preferences in music vary. So, unless your music closely matches your audience's preferences, you run the risk of losing customers who loathe, rather than love, that type of music. It is a lot easier to find a person's negative button with music than it is to find their...gotta listen to it button.

    In general, I think the risk/reward of music in a sales video is balanced to the negative side. That is why you rarely hear music in the sales video.
    Signature
    David Sneen
    It's what you do when no one is watching
    that determines what you will be able to
    do when everyone is watching.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5718106].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Genycis
    For videos that you're doing to address your potential buyers, I think the background music is a distraction and shouldn't be added.... unless you can find a soothing type of instrumental that would fit, though I find this rare. I'd probably rather listen to the guy doing a video where I can hear what he is saying completely than to have my ears listening to competition between your voice and your music. Not to mention, you don't want to push someone away from your video because they don't like the song you chose or the music altogether, so better to have none. Just my 2 cents though.
    Signature
    Genycis
    -- Absorbing & implementing. Need hip hop beats for your business needs? Hit me up!
    -- Posting my experiences and so forth with my own blog.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5718156].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author icegin
    My guess is that sellers want visitors to focus clearly on what they have to say and having music in the background might be distracting. I have never come across a pitch video that had music in the background -- I personally find the absence of music in this case to be preferable.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5718214].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    The only correct answer in this thread is found in post #9...
    Signature
    If you knew what I know you'd be doing what I do...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5718296].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TheZafraGroup
    I think it would be a distraction. People would tend to get distracted instead of listening to you. Others may also find it annoying. It does depend though. This is just my opinion.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5720850].message }}

Trending Topics