Music + Tech Special: Getting Royalty-Free Content

Storyblocks

(storyblocks.com)

Storyblocks is a subscription-based provider of royalty-free audio and video content. Audioblocks — the sound side of the site, and perhaps the most valuable to songwriters — offers music, loops and sound effects that are fully licensed and all ready for immediate use. Members can access and download unlimited tracks, with the peace of knowing that Storyblocks has already taken care of the headache of attaining all the correct rights.

“We really wanted to offer creative content that anyone could afford,” says Matt Reichard, the company’s User Acquisition Manager. “From a small web designer, to a songwriter all the way up to the big production agencies like HBO, or Buzzed and Vice that are larger names — we give them access to content that’s both cheap and accessible with a wide selection as well.”

Storyblocks is also a great source for people looking to make some money selling their own content. The site has a contributor portal where users can submit their own audio, videos and photos for consideration, and the Storyblocks team will look through them to see if they are interested in purchasing the content.

For those who aren’t ready to commit to a membership, the site also has a public marketplace, where customers can buy material directly from a seller. Storyblocks doesn’t even take a percentage of the transaction so that 100 percent of a marketplace purchase goes right back to the artist. While marketplace products are discounted for members, it is available to anyone looking for content. — SARA SCANNELL