Let’s face it – these days your video budget’s looking more like your lunch budget!
You’ve probably seen the slick videos other businesses are putting out and thought, “How do I get that without spending a fortune?”
Then it hits you – what about stock footage? Could it work? Or will it just make your video look like one of those cringe-worthy clips of awkward high-fives in a boardroom? (You know the ones.)
Here’s the thing – stock footage doesn’t have to look cheap or tacky. In fact, when you use it the right way, it can be your secret weapon to make professional, polished videos without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll show you when to use stock footage, how to make it blend seamlessly, and the common mistakes to avoid.
What is stock footage?
Stock footage is pre-recorded video that you can buy and use in your own projects. It can be anything – sweeping drone shots of Sydney Opera House, busy city streets, animated characters, or even actors in cinematically lit scenes.
It’s basically a ready-made library of clips for your videos, perfect for when you can’t (or don’t want to) film something yourself.
We’ve made over 4,000 videos over the years, and we’ve found ourselves using stock footage more and more. It’s way more affordable than it used to be, plus the quality is much better than it used to be.
We’re great editors (if we do say so ourselves!), so we know how to make stock footage blend perfectly with footage we shoot. And honestly, it’s not uncommon for us to reach for it when it makes sense. It saves time, keeps costs down, and as long as it make the video better – then why not?
When to Use Stock Footage in Corporate Videos
Stock footage works best when it saves you time, money, or effort without sacrificing quality.
If you need something specific – like a sunrise over the Alps or bustling New York streets – it’s much cheaper and quicker to grab stock than to fly out and film it yourself. Although we never say no to international video production….!
It’s also a lifesaver when you’re working to tight deadlines. Instead of organising shoots, you can download footage instantly and keep things moving.
But mostly, it’s a budget decision. Stock footage lets you include high-quality visuals without breaking the bank. Which means any business can take advantage of professional looking video.
But here’s the golden rule: stock footage should complement your video and enhance your story, not be used to cover up cracks or distract from weak messaging. The best stock footage blends so seamlessly into your video that no one even notices it’s there.
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When Stock Footage Might Fall Short
But stock footage doesn’t work for everything! There are times when it’s MUCH better to use original content to keep things real and authentic.
Anything that’s specific to your business – your staff, your premises, your equipment – should be filmed by you. Using stock to represent these things can feel misleading, and let’s be honest, no one wants to see a “grand office” packed with actors who aren’t actually your team.
That said, there’s some wiggle room. If you use third-party services in your business, like delivery crews or customer service teams, stock footage might work to represent those areas.
But it’s all about balance. Keep it honest and avoid anything that might make viewers question what’s real.
Practical Tips for Choosing the Right Stock Footage
1. Start with the right keywords.
Be specific and creative when searching. Stock footage sites are packed with way too many clips anyway, so narrowing it down with detailed keywords will save you masses of time!
2. Use filters to refine your search.
Most platforms let you filter by things like the number of people in the shot, whether faces are visible, or even the type of environment. So use these tools to zero in on what works best.
3. Go for high resolution.
Always pick the highest resolution shots you can. Not only will it look better, but high-res footage is often newer, making it less likely to look outdated.
4. Pay attention to the details.
Look at the clothing people are wearing – is it smart casual or too formal? Check the environment too. You want something realistic and relatable, not overly staged or specific to one region (like footage that’s too American or overly European).
5. Mix it up.
Use a variety of shots to keep your video dynamic. Include different faces, genders, and ethnicities, and balance close-ups with wide shots to create a well-rounded story.
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We will collect, use and protect your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Licensing can differ between clips
A majority of stock footage is licensed for commercial use. But some is ‘Editorial Use only’
This means the clips are created for use in non-commercial projects. Footage can be Editorial Use only for a lot of reasons, such as:
- The footage was captured on private property, such as a concert, where permission for filming may not have been granted
- The footage features trademarks such as logos, adverts or buildings
- The footage features people who have not consented to their image being used for commercial purposes (such as footage captured on the streets)
- The footage features celebrities
If the footage is listed as for ‘Commercial use’, it can be used in any kind of video that generates revenue, such as a promotional video or social media post.
Conclusion
Now you know how to use stock footage the PROPER way – when to use it, how to make it blend seamlessly into your video and where to find the best clips.
You can always check out our recent video projects and see if you can spot which clips are stock and which are original!
Plus, if you’re tight on budget or racing against the clock, we’re here for you. Our team can turn around videos in super quick time so click here for a quick quote and let’s make a plan!
