Sync, Stream, Submit: The Best Practices for Musicians Looking to License Their Tracks

Music licensing has undergone a drastic change in the past decade, since the revolution of streaming platforms. Content creators are in consistent need for music in reels, videos, and vlogs, and filming, TV and advertising productions make it one of the best times for instrumentalists to jump on the music licensing train.

In an expanding market for music, having good tracks is just the tip of the iceberg. You need to have a strategy in place that involves three necessary actions: sync, stream, and submit. Pianists, guitarists, and other composers of musical tracks can benefit from this breakdown of best practices to follow to ensure that their music is licensed, heard, and placed while keeping ownership and creative control.

What is Sync Licensing?

You must first and foremost have knowledge about sync licensing. “Sync” or synchronization, means the legal use of music alongside visuals like advertisements, films, YouTube videos, games, and TV shows. Having a sync license provides the content creator or producer the rights to use your music in their projects for a fee.

Instrumentalists can utilize sync licensing as a way to gain exposure and earn money. These types of tracks are in high demand for background music and emotional cues for content across the online space.

It’s important that you also understand the difference between master and publisher rights when it comes to copywriting music. To license it properly you need to have control over the master and publishing rights. The master is the actual recording of the music, and the publishing is the composition of that music - so if you wrote and recorded the music yourself, you’ll control both and have a great advantage when it comes to sync licensing.

Creating the Music

As an musician, you need to create music that is designed strategically, meaning that it’s made for these types of content and creators and producers looking for your style. Your music should include the following:

Clear structure or pattern that includes an intro, build up, climax and resolution, almost like a story.
Consistent tone and genre that aligns with your unique style and musical preferences, so you can create many within that category.
Develop moods and emotions throughout your music to help create arcs and angles to the story that is being told. Certain producers or music supervisors may want “happy” or “suspenseful” pieces, and you can incorporate that within each track as part of the overall ‘story.’

Make sure that each facet of the musical piece can work well on its own. For example, if you’re going to use drumming instruments to record a high-energy track, you should ensure that the rhythm is good enough that it can be utilized for just the percussion section without the melody, if desired.

Metadata is Essential

You must have an organizing system for categorizing your instrumental tracks. A critical step within music licensing is the metadata, which includes:

Name of your song/track title
Name of composer (you)
Contact information
Musical genre (and sub-genre if necessary)
Moods (romantic, hopeful, etc.)
BPM and key of song
Breakdown of instruments being used

There are plenty of licensing platforms online with sync libraries that require you enter all of this data. It can save you a lot of time and headache if you do it all ahead of time for yourself, and it also ensures your music is easy to find and where it can be placed when utilizing a platform.

Prioritize Sync Licensing and Finding Platforms

There are several ways you can work to get your music licensed. Streaming platforms that include Spotify and Apple Music can help to build credibility and gain organic listeners, but you’re not going to make much money with these platforms, especially as an instrumentalist, since it isn’t their primary use.

A well-performing track on streaming platforms can expose you to music supervisors or content creators while showcasing its appeal. In this case, a best practice is to release your music on streaming platforms but ensure to tailor it to the market for specific sync placements, where you can gain more long-term passive income.

Getting your music licensed can happen in a number of ways, so here are some of the most effective options out there for instrumentalists.

Music Licensing Libraries

These are what most people will search when looking for specific tracks, and include places like AudioJungle and Artlist. They can provide some exposure for major content creators and there are some non-exclusive options for your sync license, which helps you create passive income. However, they are very competitive in today’s market.

Sync Agencies

You can work with an online agency that will actively pitch your music to projects. They work on a percentage basis, which is typically 30% to 50%, and can gain you some access for bigger sync license deals and more personalization. It is challenging to get signed and can be exclusive, so you’re not gaining as much exposure.

Self-Pitching

Platforms like One Submit give you a way to directly submit your music to curators, TikTok influencers, YouTube channels and record labels. It’s a great middle ground between total DIY and full representation. You retain control of your rights, gain exposure to industry contacts with an upfront investment. It can help if you start with a few well-produced, mastered instrumental tracks and submit them to sync-friendly channels and track the methods that work best by having a demand for your music.

Tailor Your Pitch and Be Consistent

When you’re ready to submit your work for licensing, you should tailor each pitch since mass generic emails aren’t going to get you anywhere. Start with a short, respectful message to the platform or company, and provide direct streaming and download links through channels like SoundCloud or Disco.ac.

Mention your genres, moods, and possibilities for how those in need of background music can utilize your tracks. Ensure you attach your metadata, and link your professional webpage.

Success in sync licensing by following these practices doesn’t come from creating just one awesome track. You’ll need to ensure consistency with building your music catalog of diverse, high-quality instrumentals. Refresh and update your submissions, and pay attention to what’s trending in the industry so you can create to meet that demand.

Your Music is Your Business

When you’re serious about licensing your music, you must treat it as a business. Master the technical aspects and details while building your network, and invest in platforms to maximize your exposure.

Instrumentalists have a great advantage in that they can thrive within the music licensing world without the need for a major label or lyrics. A focused approach with composition and persistence to finding those who want your sound will ensure that you’ve mastered the best practices for sync, stream, and submit over and over again!

Resources:
How to submit music to magazines
How much does Spotify pay per stream

Check out our TikTok music promotion plan