The world of music licensing is generally considered one of the most lucrative income streams a musician, singer, or songwriter can tap into if they are perseverant and put together an impressive music and marketing package. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes stamina. I know you can do it.
I’ve had my music licensed in films. So can you. I’ve also made award winning music films/videos that have screened at the biggest venues. So can you—if you choose to. You are in complete control of your creative gifts.
When a film, TV, or other media company needs a certain type of musical sound with or without a vocal message, they will approach these licensing companies and libraries with a specific request for the sound they are looking for. The music licensing company or library will send the very best in their collection that comes closest to what the media company is asking for.
Music licensing companies and music libraries gather songs from specific genres and specialties. They pitch these songs and instrumentals to media companies that specialize in TV, film, digital videos, industrial videos, commercials, and many other forms of visual and non-visual sound media. If the companies being pitched to find that the song is a match for the message or project they are pushing, they will often use it—and I want that song to be your song.
Many highly successful bands and solo artists rely heavily on getting their music into film and TV, as well as the other types of media previously mentioned. This is because the royalties can be quite impressive and often consistent. While competition is fierce, if you develop a solid, digital marketing package of your very best work—via an EPK from Sonicbids or another EPK company of your choice—you can become successful through consistency and professionalism. Your EPK is your Electronic Press Kit. These can be blasted out, via email, to thousands of companies around the world. You have tremendous power when you take the time to build your EPK with a few winning songs, a winning biography, and some great photography or artwork that represents you and your songs/musical scores. In some cases, the rules for submission to a specific music licensing company or music library will vary. Just follow their specific rules. You won’t get a second chance to make a great impression when it comes to your song. Take your time. Choose wisely.
There are thousands of music licensing companies and libraries around the world. This is a great thing because, in this digital age, you can do business with music licensing companies around the world from your home computer. You must do your research and make sure the songs you are pushing are of the genre that these companies specialize in. In just a moment, I will provide some resources to help simplify the process for you a bit.
GETTING STARTED:
I want you to look up the Songwriter’s Guild of America and the Songwriter’s Guild in the UK. In addition to song placement, they offer copyright assistance, legal services, royalty collection, advocacy, assistance for developing songwriters, and so much more for you as the artist. These are membership-based organizations for songwriters that have been around for a very long time. As a reminder, they are sources to go to if you have a song or songs that you want licensed.
Please—also look up Silver Screen Musician and Sync My Music. These are music licensing resource sites that are rich in the education they provide—as well as the opportunities they present to have your music placed.
This above all, make sure that you make a great first impression with a music licensing company. You can do this by having a great, finished song or instrumental/instrumental score that is specifically within the genre that the music licensing company specializes in. Polite and professional follow-up, via email, every 1-2 weeks is especially helpful, along with a winning biography and photography/artwork. It is important to practice follow-up. Sometimes your music was not rejected. They just haven’t had time to listen to it yet. In closing and as a final reminder, make sure you take the time to develop that winning EPK. If it has great songs and excellent taste, you can make it travel—to thousands of companies around the world. Be sure to include a link to your professional music website and any social media links within your EPK.
Thank you.
Paul Spencer Alexander