How to Find that Perfect Song for your Video

Read Time: 1 Minute 12 Seconds

Hey y’all — Ryan here.

So you’ve got the visuals.

You’ve got the message.

But something’s missing…

The music.

The right soundtrack can elevate your content from good to unforgettable.

Here’s a practical guide to help you choose the perfect music that matches the vibe of your content.

Plus, I’m sharing techniques from someone who’s mastered this skill:

Brandon Wang

He knows exactly how to use music to elevate his storytelling—

let’s break it down.

1. Define the Content’s Vibe and Theme

Decide the tone of your content:

• upbeat

• mysterious

• inspirational

• calm

• tense

• serious

• etc…

Think about the purpose of the music:

Do you want it to energize, relax, or build suspense?

Next, consider your target audience.

What kind of music resonates with them and fits the style of content?

Brandon Wang: Muted house

Maximise: Inspirational cinematic

Newt Nguyen: Cozy lo-fi

American Baron: Nostalgic contemplative

Monique Jones: Cinematic wonder

Brandon Wang’s choice of house music fits perfectly.

It settles neatly with his distinct color grading.

Vibrant whites and blues.

His music rides on top of the footage,

giving his videos a sophisticated, effortless feel.

This video is a perfect example.

2. How to Search for Music

Now that you’ve got the vibe down, next is finding the songs.

2.1 Trending Audio (Instagram)

First, go over to any reel on Instagram.

Tap the button on the bottom right with the music note icon.

You’ll be taken to the page below.

Hit the diagonal arrow button on the top right of the screen.

Nice!

Now you’re in the trending audio tab.

Look through these to one that fits the themes of your video.

2.2 Find Inspiration Outside of Social Media

Film music is used to create the immersive experience of a film.

That makes it the perfect type of music to add depth to your video.

Look up playlists of genres of film music on Spotify.

Here’s one.

Classical music is also used to deliver complex emotions.

You can find playlists full of them on Spotify as well, like this one.

Brandon Wang’s music choices can be found on Spotify,

so this may suggest where he finds his inspiration.

But for your convenience,

we’ve compiled a list of the songs he uses into a Spotify playlist here.

3. Run Your Song Through These Criteria

Now that you’ve found a potential song,

run it through these criteria.

The Mood

Listen closely—

Does it elevate the energy of your story?

Or does it clash with your visuals?

Your Branding

Does the music fit the overall branding of your page?

You can choose music of a similar

• genre

• mood

• speed

to create a sense of cohesiveness throughout your brand.

Trust your Instincts

If it feels right and enhances your content,

it’s a good fit.

Don’t overthink it—

let your gut guide you in this one.

4. Consider the Structure of the Song

Look for tracks with a flexible structure.

This way you can

• loop

• extend

• cut

• delay

• speed up

• slow down

the song to fit your video.

It takes a bit of practice to align the music with the flow of your video.

Brandon uses the speed and rhythm of the music to pace this video.

5. Test Out Different Tracks with Your Content

Add the music to your content and test how it feels.

Does it enhance the experience?

Or does it feel out of place?

Experiment with volume levels.

See if it complements or overpowers.

Remember, choosing the right music is a skill that needs to be practiced like all other skills.

The more you test,

the better you’ll get at finding the perfect track that elevates your storytelling.

Don’t be afraid to try new sounds,

and step outside your comfort zone.

Music has the power to transform your content and connect with your audience on a deeper level.

Happy creating, and let the music do the talking.

Thanks for showing up this week. We’ll see you in the next :).

Sincerely,

Ryan