Artists can use sync licensing to get their music used in movies, TV shows, ads, video games, and other visual media. This process not only gets more people to see it, but it also brings in a lot of money. This is a complete guide on sync licensing and how to get your music used in different types of media.
In short, what is Sync Licensing?
Sync licensing, which is short for “synchronization licensing,” is the process of letting people sync music with visual media. It’s okay to use this music in movies, TV shows, commercials, video games, online videos, and other places.
This is how sync licensing works:
Music Supervisor: A music supervisor chooses music for a project and makes sure it has the right permissions. They look for tracks that add to the story and make the visual media more moving.
- Licensing Agreement: Once a track is chosen, the production business and the person who owns the rights to it (usually the artist, songwriter, or their publisher) sign a licensing agreement. This deal spells out the rules for use, such as how long, where, and what kind of media can be used.
- “Sync Fee”: The company that makes movies pays a fee to use the music. This fee changes depending on things like how important the music is to the project, how much money the project has, and how well-known the artist is.
- Royalties: The artist gets performance royalties in addition to the sync fee every time the project is shown to the public. These earnings are collected for the artist by performance rights organizations (PROs) such as BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC.
Pros of Sync Licensing
- Exposure: Putting your songs in popular media can help it reach more people.
- Revenue: Performance royalties and sync fees can be big sources of income.
- Credibility: Having your work in big projects makes your professional image better.
- Connections: Sync placements often lead to new opportunities and connections in the business.
How to Get Your Music to Play Together
- Make music of high quality
Why It’s Important: If your production value is high, music directors are more likely to choose your work.
Steps to Take: – Pay for recording, mixing, and mastering by an expert.
- Make sure your song is unique and powerful.
- Get your music library in order.
If you keep your catalog in order, it will be easier for music supervisors to find your songs and license them.
Steps to Follow: – Add genre, mood, tempo, and key information to each track’s description.
- Have instrumental versions on hand, as these are often chosen for use in the background.
- Put in your personal information and the terms of the license.
- Sign up with a PRO
Why It’s Important: When your music is played in public, PROs get paid performance fees.
Steps: – Join a PRO, such as SESAC, BMI, or ASCAP.
- Make sure you get earnings by registering all of your songs with your PRO.
- Work with music stores and licensing companies
Why It’s Important: Music libraries and licensing companies already work with music supervisors, so they can help you get your music synced.
How to Do It: – Send your music to reliable music libraries like Getty Images Music, Audio Network, or Musicbed.
- You might want to work with licensing companies that focus on your style or genre.
- Make connections with people who work in your field
Why it’s important: Making connections with music supervisors and people who work in the business will help you get sync placements.
Action Items: Go to music business events, workshops, and social gatherings to meet other people in the business.
— Join online groups and forums where artists and music directors talk to each other.
—Send music directors personalized emails with links to your music.
- Pitch Your Music Straight On
This is important because direct pitching lets you go after specific projects and music directors.
What You Need to Do: Look into future movie, TV, and ad projects.
- Get in touch with music directors and send them personalized pitches.
—Explain how your music fits the needs of the project and include links that are easy to find.
Tips for Sync Licensing That Works
- Be Professional: Take care of yourself and your songs like a professional. This includes recordings of good quality, professional communication, and metadata that is easy to find.
If you want to stay persistent, Sync licensing is affordable. Don’t give up, and keep pitching your songs. - Keep Up with Trends: To find out what kinds of songs people want, keep up with the latest trends in movies, TV, and ads.
- Add variety to your portfolio: You’re more likely to be chosen for different kinds of jobs if you have a wide range of music.
Final Thoughts
Sync licensing is a good way for artists to make money and have their music used in movies, TV shows, commercials, and other things. You can find new ways to make money and reach more people if you know how the process works, make good music, and pitch your tracks well. Armus Digital helps artists by giving them the tools and information they need to distribute their music and get sync licensing chances.
This is about Armus Digital:
Armus Digital is a platform for distributing music that helps artists get their songs heard all over the world. It lets you quickly distribute your music to more than 150 platforms, get paid every month, protect your content, earn performance royalties, and use label services. The platform lets artists upload their music, choose which stores to distribute it in, give collaborators, and make UPC and ISRC codes. Armus Digital makes sure that music can be heard all over the world and is properly made money by forming agreements with many digital service providers.