Introduction
As a musician, you’re always looking for ways to monetize your music. While selling albums and streaming your music online can be a great source of income, there’s another opportunity you might be overlooking: sync licensing.
Sync licensing is the process of synchronizing your music with visual media, such as TV shows, films, and ads. When your music is licensed for use in these media, you can earn royalties and fees. It’s a great way to get your music in front of new audiences and earn money at the same time.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at how to make money with sync licensing. We’ll cover everything from finding opportunities to submitting your music and negotiating contracts.
Finding Opportunities for Sync Licensing
The first step in making money with sync licensing is finding opportunities. Here are some ways to do that:
1. Research Music Libraries
Music libraries are companies that specialize in licensing music for use in visual media. There are many different music libraries out there, so it’s important to research them and find ones that are a good fit for your music.
Some popular music libraries include:
When researching music libraries, be sure to read their submission guidelines carefully. You’ll need to follow their guidelines closely when submitting your music.
2. Network with Filmmakers and Ad Agencies
Another way to find sync licensing opportunities is to network with filmmakers and ad agencies. Attend film festivals and industry events, and reach out to filmmakers and ad agencies in your area. Let them know you’re interested in sync licensing and see if they have any projects in the works that might be a good fit for your music.
3. Use Online Platforms
There are also many online platforms that connect musicians with sync licensing opportunities. Some popular platforms include:
- Music Gateway
- Songtradr
- Jingle Punks
- Marmoset
These platforms allow you to create a profile and submit your music for consideration. Some of them also offer tools to help you manage your licensing agreements and track your royalties.
Submitting Your Music for Sync Licensing
Once you’ve found some sync licensing opportunities, the next step is to submit your music. Here are some tips for submitting your music successfully:
1. Follow Submission Guidelines
Whether you’re submitting your music to a music library or an ad agency, it’s important to follow their submission guidelines closely. This will help ensure that your music is considered and increase your chances of getting accepted.
2. Provide High-Quality Files
When submitting your music, be sure to provide high-quality files. This means using a lossless audio format, such as WAV or AIFF, and providing files that are at least 16-bit, 44.1kHz.
3. Provide Relevant Metadata
Metadata is information about your music, such as the title, artist name, and copyright information. When submitting your music, be sure to provide relevant metadata. This will help ensure that your music is properly credited and that you receive royalties when it’s used.
Negotiating Sync Licensing Contracts
If your music is accepted for sync licensing, the next step is negotiating the contract. Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Understand Your Rights
Before signing a sync licensing contract, it’s important to understand your rights. Make sure you know how your music will be used, for how long, and in what territories. You should also understand how much you’ll be paid and how you’ll receive royalties.
2. Negotiate the Terms
Don’t be afraid to negotiate the terms of the contract. You may be able to negotiate higher fees or more favorable terms. Just make sure you’re realistic in your expectations and that you’re not asking for something that’s unreasonable.
3. Get Legal Advice
If you’re unsure about the terms of the contract, it’s a good idea to get legal advice. An entertainment lawyer can review the contract and make sure you’re not signing away any important rights.
FAQs about Sync Licensing
- How much money can you make with sync licensing?
The amount of money you can make with sync licensing varies depending on the project and the terms of the contract. Some projects may only pay a few hundred dollars, while others can pay thousands of dollars or more.
- Do you need to own the rights to your music to license it?
Yes, you need to own the rights to your music to license it for sync. If you’ve signed a record deal or a publishing deal, make sure you have the right to license your music for sync before submitting it.
- How long does it take to get paid for sync licensing?
The timing of payments for sync licensing can vary. Some companies pay quarterly, while others may pay on a different schedule. Make sure you understand the payment schedule before signing a contract.
Conclusion
Sync licensing can be a great way to make money as a musician. By synchronizing your music with visual media, you can earn royalties and fees and get your music in front of new audiences. To get started with sync licensing, research music libraries, network with filmmakers and ad agencies, and use online platforms to find opportunities. When submitting your music, be sure to follow submission guidelines, provide high-quality files, and provide relevant metadata. And when negotiating contracts, make sure you understand your rights, negotiate the terms, and get legal advice if necessary. With some hard work and persistence, you can start earning money with sync licensing today.
Keep making awesome music, and share it with the world!
Maurice from Music-Mindset.com
Bonus info: Check out this post about Sync Licensing your YouTube Music on Routenote.
https://routenote.com/blog/get-a-youtube-sync-license/
And a similar explanation on CD Baby.
https://support.cdbaby.com/hc/en-us/sections/201769253-Sync-Licensing-General-Info
Keep making awesome music, and share it with the world!
Maurice from Music-Mindset.com
