Close your eyes and imagine this familiar scene: thrill-seeking young adults racing down a winding tree-lined ski slope, expertly carving fresh powder while taking in the majestic mountain views. But instead of professional athletes or models, picture everyday working professionals like teachers, baristas, small business owners, and more enjoying the sport together.
This is the beauty and power of stock video footage. It allows anyone to tell stories more impactfully and immersively without Hollywood budgets or resources.
And at a time when 93% of marketers say video positively impacts their marketing results, stock video provides affordable, strategic ammunition to grab attention and spark emotion.
But the world of stock video can still seem complex for the uninitiated. To help you start capturing engagement and driving growth with moving images, I‘ve created this comprehensive guide covering:
- Key stock video benefits
- An overview of top stock video sites
- Crucial tips for finding the right vendor
Let‘s cut to the chase…action!
Why Stock Video Belongs in Today‘s Digital Marketing Mix
In our compressed attention span economy, video content captures eyes unlike any other medium. Just look at a few statistics:
- 72% of customers prefer video content from brands rather than text-based content (Source)
- Posts with video receive 50% more overall engagement on social media (Source)
- Viewers retain 95% of a message when delivered through video compared to 10% when reading text (Source)
Simply put, if you want to drive engaged traffic, then video content should be your priority. A survey from around the globe has claimed that video content can engage viewers by 90% more compared to text or graphic content. And this thirst for video shows no signs of slowing down.
However, we face one massive blockade: the high costs of custom video production. Professional filming carries huge overhead across equipment, locations, talent, editing, and more. Mid-level lifestyle Instagram videos can easily run thousands per short clip.
Thankfully, stock video solves this catch-22 by offering:
- High-quality video content – Cinematic 4K footage across categories
- Budget-friendly pricing – Affordable subscriptions & licensing
- Creative flexibility – Customize stock clips freely
- Inspiring art direction – Sparks ideas and scenarios
Let‘s breakdown exactly how stock sites make visually engaging marketing easy for all.
A Quick Stock Video Overview
Stock media companies operate similarly to stock photography sites. They offer large collections of video footage sourced from talented videographers, studios, and up-and-coming filmmakers.
Customers then purchase rights to use these clips through:
Subscriptions – Get unlimited downloads each month for a flat rate
Credits – Pay per download based on clip resolution
Individual Sales – License videos a la carte
Content categories stay wide spanning aerials, cityscapes, food, business, science, technology, nature, animals, seasonal moments, healthcare, lifestyles, and more.
Additionally, stock video sites license content across uses like:
- Marketing Campaigns
- Video Advertising
- Social Media Posts
- Commercial Production
- Informational Videos
- Film Projects
- Live Events & Presentations
Now that you know the stock video basics, let‘s explore top options to consider across needs and budgets.
16 Best Stock Video Sites For All
I‘ve handpicked the top 16 stock video collections that offer stellar creative assets to elevate your video marketing and content efforts.
1. Pexels
Pexels should be the first stop for every video creator on an ultra-tight budget. This site offers an extensive library of high-quality stock videos 100% free for personal and commercial use.
While Pexels may not match paid providers in terms of library breadth or new video volume, it‘s an unbeatable free option. Expect to find over 15K videos covering nature, cityscapes, food, animals, technology, and more.
I love Pexels for quick social videos or basic website B-roll needs without shooting myself. For example, I recently used several Pexels restaurant interior clips for a promo featuring local eateries offering catering services. Quality matched my camera footage seamlessly at a $0 cost!
Library Size: 15,000+ clips
Recent Additions: ~100 weekly
Top Resolutions: 1080P HD
Pricing Models: 100% Free
Best For: Social media creators, bootstrapped startups, freelancers
2. Shutterstock
Boasting over 20 million video clips, Shutterstock stands atop the stock video world alongside Getty Images. You‘ll find everything here from cinematic 4K clips to stop motion and 360° video.
I suggest Shutterstock for sizable enterprises with hearty production budgets. The combination of robust niche collections and a la carte purchasing options makes them ideal for large agencies and creative teams.
While Shutterstock carries premium pricing due to its sheer volume and quality, they offer monthly subscriptions versus forcing large upfront purchases. Treat it like a flexible utility rather than a long-term commitment to control costs.
For example, I tapped Shutterstock when producing a forest conservation awareness video featuring copious nature B-roll. The sweeping 4K aerials of lush forest canopies and tropical waterfalls made a true cinematic impact.
Library Size: 20 million+ clips
Recent Additions: ~7,500 daily
Top Resolutions: 8K
Pricing Models: Monthly Subscription, Pay-As-You-Go
Best For: Media production teams, advertising agencies
3. Storyblocks
Storyblocks brings an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord with over 2+ million video, image, and music assets under one subscription. For less than $20/month, you gain unlimited access to this stockpile of HD and 4K content updated daily.
Think of Storyblocks like your customizable standalone production department. Need a quick video for multiple social platforms? Pull from thousands of scroll-stopping vertical clips. Have a major advertising campaign looming? License unlimited slick business videos fitting any concept.
I suggest Storyblocks first for creative solopreneurs and small teams without deep production expertise/bandwidth. You effectively outsource ideation and creation labor at a fractional cost.
Just be aware restrictions exist around hosting videos yourself or distributing beyond Storyblocks‘ reach. Read the fine print closely regarding commercial use, embed limits, distribution amounts, and more based on your goals.
Library Size: 2+ million assets
Recent Additions: Over 3K daily
Top Resolutions: 4K UHD
Pricing Models: Unlimited Subscription
Best For: Lean video teams, digital media creators, small businesses
4. Adobe Stock
As the design tool titans behind Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop and more, Adobe Stock offers deep video asset integration. Expect tailored search tools, seamless imports into Adobe projects, watermarked previews, libraries, and beyond.
Personally, I live inside Creative Cloud tools daily editing photography and video content. While Adobe Stock feels pricey compared to competitors, the convenience of accessing stock directly within Premiere Pro or After Effects accelerates my workflow tremendously.
I also appreciate the exclusive Member library offering newer 4K niche content before hitting mainstream sites. Adobe curates these selections specifically based on highest creative application potential.
Just know the credit pricing model causes costs to add up quickly buying individual clips. However, Adobe frequently runs brilliant sales letting you pre-purchase and lock up discounts for months. Jump on Black Friday or early Cyber Monday for the full year!
Library Size: Over 200K video clips
Recent Additions: New exclusives every week
Top Resolutions: 4K
Pricing Models: Credits (Pay Per Download)
Best For: Adobe software users, creative professionals
Now that you‘ve seen my top recommendations across needs and budgets, let‘s cover some smart strategies to select your ideal stock vendor…
Finding The Best Stock Video Site For You
While the creative possibilities seem endless browsing collections of gorgeous, downloadable videos, the sheer options also feel paralyzing. How do you select only one or two affordable stock sources enabling your wildest video ideas?
I suggest focusing on 4 key buying criteria tailored to your unique video content needs and budget:
1. Preferred Pricing Models
Stock video sites monetize content differently to meet varying demands:
- Subscriptions – Unlimited monthly downloads
- Credits/Account Balance – Pay per clip downloaded
- Individual Sales – One-off a la carte licenses
There is no universal "best" model. Choose what fits your budget and goals.
I utilize credts and individual sales to purchase niche conceptual clips for social advertising. But I prefer unlimited subscriptions for recurring lifestyle B-Roll needs across my YouTube channel and website.
2. Ideal Resolution Range
Resolution dictates the production levels you can achieve:
- 4K+ UHD – Cinematic film quality
- 1080P HD – Great for commercial video
- 720P+ – Works for online/mobile video
Consider your core project types and where videos ultimately get seen. For example, 4K overhead food clips let me create Pret goji bowls at restaurant quality production values for my health YouTube channel.
But for my Instagram Stories, quick free HD cityscape and nature loops from Pexels do the trick behind overlaid text captions.
3. Desired Licenses
How you utilize stock footage and distribute end works dictates required licensing terms. If you only share videos publicly online, free is fine. But for TV broadcasts, advertising, film festivals and other commercial mediums, pay close attention to site licensing.
Some common uses include:
- Social Media Videos – Free/Subscription
- Commercial Productions – Mid/Premium Licenses
- Video Campaigns – Premium Licenses
- Film Festivals – Premium Licenses
Look closely at allowed distribution amounts, mediums covered, attribution needs, ownership rights and more. Customer support teams happily clarify common questions around ideal licenses for purpose-driven projects during research.
4. Specialized vs. General Video
While many stock collections boast breath over depth with generic clips, niche sites offer unique conceptual videos hard to replicate yourself without significant investments.
I‘m increasingly tapping specialized marketplaces focused on:
Aerial Videography – Sweeping 4K cityscapes and landscapes often requiring expensive drones and pilots
Stop Motion – Charming frame-by-frame animation of everyday objects
CGI Animation – High-end 3D graphics, medical animations and more
Sure I could spend $3k renting a drone and learning to fly it legally myself! But far easier and affordable outsourcing to stock artists with established portfolios and niche expertise.
This allows me creating production value similar to Super Bowl ads and Hollywood films on modest YouTube show budgets.
Let your imagination run wild across specialized stock video potentials!
Hopefully you now grasp the immense marketing potential stock video sites unlock for commercial storytelling and customer engagement on digital channels.
I think of stock footage as rocket creative fuel empowering anyone to:
- Standout Visually – Capture attention amid endless streams
- Connect Emotionally – Spark feelings through moving imagery
- Persuade Believably – Lend credibility via production quality
- Inform Understandably – Model and demonstrate concepts clearly
And most importantly for you as a marketer…
- Amplify Reach Exponentially – Extend messaging through shares/reactions
- Drive Conversions Consistently – Convert viewers into customers
- Grow Revenue Repeatedly – Cultivate customer LTV
But strategically sourcing cinematic custom clips means nothing if poorly utilized, wrongly edited, or disjointedly presented.
Let‘s cover 5 insider tips to edit high-impact marketing videos poised to drive skyrocketing results:
Pro Video Editing Tips For Novices
Admittedly, unlocking the power of moving imagery requires some basic video editing chops even leveraging stock content.
The good news? Advancements in intuitive software and templatized systems now enable anyone to cut sleek, compelling footage rivaling many professionals.
Here are 5 keys for flawlessly incorporating stock media into engaging videos:
1. Map The Storyline First
Resist the urge to simply string random "cool" looking clips together and hit export! Approaching editing with narrative focus prevents disjointed collateral.
I always storyboard planned messaging and necessary b-roll imagery to reinforce points first. Outline key scenes based on communicating benefits clearly to compel desired actions.
2. Mix In Supplementary Custom Footage
Blending stock elements with custom establishing shots or testimonials helps content resonate. Open with branding, lifestyle uses or customer wins to personalize messaging over backing tracks.
3. Utilize Complimentary Transitions
Moves like dissolves (fading between clips), zooms, slides and icons/graphics provide logical visual connectivity between disconnected scenes and concepts.
I lean on subtle transitions constantly allowing smooth progression between topics and locales without jolting contrast confusion.
4. Apply Color Correction For Continuity
Varying stock clips featuring different lighting, saturation and color temperatures often clash assembled together.
Counter through uniform color grading adjustments. Boost contrast slightly while normalizing muted tones close to final footage appearing most vibrant. Now cohesion clicks!
5. Sprinkle In Graphics For Added Flare
Lastly, insert complementary motion graphics, titles, captions and lower thirds guiding viewers, highlighting benefits visually and powering SEO.
I turn to easy web tools like Biteable, Animoto and RenderForest minimizing video creation labor without advanced motion design expertise.
As you can see, utilizing stock video tactically requires far less production prowess than imagined thanks to accessible editing software and support sites.
The only ingredient left is your willingness to experiment with emotive multimedia storytelling…
So consider this your call to explore expansive creative possibilities through cinematic footage! Establish stirring marketing narratives, drive measurable business results and forge emotional customer connections unlike ever before.
Visit any combination of the stock libraries above making video visions reality while controlling costs. With the right curated clips blending seamlessly into custom accents, sensational shareable content stays perpetually within reach.
Now press play on show-stopping video that captivates audiences while accelerating revenue! Just take the first step trying stock sites fitting your goals and budget today.
