As stated earlier, most simple video editors allow for adding additional audio such as background music and sound effects.

Important things to remember:

With free video editing software such as Windows Movie Maker, you only have one additional audio track. If you choose to have music played throughout the entire presentation, that audio track is being used and you cannot add any additional sound at that point.

With sound effects you can add as many as you wish due to the fact they’re short (once a sound effect has finished playing, you can add another, and another after that, and so on).

Common Mistakes Made by Beginners

Too LOUD
When adjusting your volume for background music/effects, it is typical that beginners will have the volume much too high. The important thing to remember is that background music and effects are supposed to be IN THE BACKGROUND and not be “front and center”.

Some sound effects are louder/quieter than the others
People will usually find whatever sound effect they can find on the internet, then drop it into their presentation. At times this may present a problem because some some effects are louder/quieter than others. Being that you only have one audio track to work with, you may have to individually adjust volume for each sound effect if your video editing software allows it.

Remember: It is worth it to spend time making sure the audio is of proper volume to avoid annoying your audience with sound that is too loud/quiet.

Over-use of music/effects
Beginners will think “I have to make this interesting! I have to add more sound! More effects!” No, you don’t. The presentation overall is what counts and not the add-ons. Granted, sometimes effects can be entertaining/interesting/funny, but most of the time they’re not.

If you’re spending more time worrying about music/effects than you are the presentation itself, this is bad. The presentation counts first.