A Music Licensing Checklist for Freelance Video Editors

When a client asks for “a track that sounds like this,” the creative brief is only the first step. Before adding music to a client video, confirm how the finished work will be used, who needs the licence and which versions are part of the project.

1. Define the deliverables

Ask what you’re making: an internal video, a public social post, a paid ad, a website film or a set of cutdowns. Check whether the client expects to reuse the video on different platforms or in future campaigns.

The more specific the deliverables, the easier it is to choose suitable music and verify the licence.

2. Agree who handles the licence

Decide whether you or the client will select and license the track. If the client supplies music, ask for the licence details before using it. If you choose the track, confirm that the licence covers the intended use and clarify how you’ll share the documentation.

Don’t assume the editor’s access to a subscription automatically grants the client a separate right to reuse the track in unrelated projects. Check the current licence terms.

3. Keep a track record

For each project, save the track title, artist or contributor name, source, download date and licence document. Use a project folder that stays with the edit. If the final video is revised later, the record makes it easier to identify the soundtrack.

A simple file-naming system can help: client-project-track-licence-date. Keep the licence alongside the final export and project files.

4. Check every version

A client may ask for a horizontal edit, a vertical edit, a short teaser and a paid social version. Confirm whether each is covered by the licence and whether any new use needs separate permission.

If the campaign expands after delivery, pause and check the terms before reusing the music.

5. Include the handoff

When delivering the finished video, include the licence record or tell the client where it is stored. Note what the licence covers, based on the current terms, and flag any limits that matter to future reuse.

A short checklist

  • What is the project and where will it appear?
  • Is it paid, branded, client-facing or internal?
  • Who is obtaining and storing the licence?
  • Are cutdowns or future versions included?
  • Does the client need the licence record at handoff?

Good documentation is part of a professional delivery. It protects the workflow from confusion and helps everyone understand what was approved.