When it comes to sync licensing, many indie artists are eager to get their music placed in TV shows, films, commercials, and other forms of media. However, despite having great music, they often make avoidable mistakes that prevent them from landing sync deals. In this blog, we'll explore five common mistakes that indie artists make when submitting their music for sync licensing—and how to avoid them.
1. Overly Complicated Tracks: Why Simplicity is Key in Sync
One of the biggest mistakes indie artists make when submitting music for sync is creating overly complicated tracks. While complex arrangements may showcase your musical talent, they often don't work well for sync placements. Music supervisors are typically looking for tracks that enhance a scene without overshadowing it.
Whether it's TV sync, film sync, or a brand campaign, simple, emotive tracks tend to work best. For example, an instrumental piece with a clean, minimal arrangement often provides the ideal background to a commercial or film scene, allowing the visual content to shine while the music supports it. Tracks with fewer layers are also easier to edit, which is a huge advantage for music supervisors.
To make your tracks more sync-friendly, focus on creating simpler versions of your songs that are still emotionally impactful. If you can, offer both vocal and instrumental versions, as supervisors often need both options depending on the project. Remember, sometimes less is more when it comes to sync.
2. Ignoring Metadata: The Importance of Properly Tagging Your Music
Metadata might not be as glamorous as songwriting or production, but it’s one of the most crucial components of a successful sync submission. Ignoring or poorly managing your metadata can mean the difference between your track being discovered by a music supervisor or lost in the shuffle.
Metadata refers to the information embedded in your audio file that tells music supervisors key details like song title, artist name, genre, mood, and contact info. Properly tagging your music with relevant metadata can increase your chances of getting discovered when supervisors search for specific terms like indie pop, singer-songwriter, or background music. Always include whether your track is sync-ready, as well as whether it comes with exclusive rights or a non-exclusive license.
Incorporating keywords like pre-cleared and one-stop into your metadata can also be advantageous. These terms indicate that you own or have already cleared both the master and sync rights for your music, making the licensing process easier for supervisors.
3. Not Researching the Project: How to Align Your Pitch with the Right Content
Another common mistake is not researching the project before submitting your music. Sync licensing is highly competitive, and if you’re not tailoring your pitch to the specific needs of a project, your chances of success diminish.
Music supervisors are often tasked with finding tracks that match the emotional tone, genre, and style of a specific scene. If your submission doesn’t align with their needs, it will be quickly discarded, even if the track itself is excellent. Before submitting your music, take the time to research the project. Look at past sync placements to understand the type of music that works well. If it's a commercial, think about how your song could fit as theme music or commercial use. For films or TV shows, consider whether your track would be better suited for background music or a dramatic scene.
Tailoring your submission by referencing how your track fits the project will show the music supervisor that you’ve done your homework. Include terms like TV sync, film sync, or brand campaign in your pitch if you believe your song fits these categories. The more relevant your submission is to the project, the better your chances of landing a deal.
4. Lack of Proper Releases: Ensuring All Rights Are Cleared
Not having your music properly released or cleared is one of the most detrimental mistakes you can make when pursuing sync opportunities. Sync licensing requires a clear understanding of the legal rights associated with your music. If your track isn't fully cleared for sync use, you risk losing opportunities and even facing legal issues.
Before submitting music for sync, make sure you have obtained all necessary rights and licenses. This includes both master and sync rights. If you're working with co-writers, producers, or other collaborators, ensure that everyone has signed off on the licensing terms. Offering a pre-cleared or one-stop track, where all rights are controlled by a single party, can make your submission much more attractive to music supervisors.
Additionally, clarify whether you're offering an exclusive license or a non-exclusive license. An exclusive license means that the music can only be used by one entity for the duration of the contract, while a non-exclusive license allows you to license the same track to multiple parties. Being transparent about these terms upfront helps build trust with supervisors and streamlines the licensing process.
5. Not Following Up: Strategies for Staying on Music Supervisors' Radars
The final mistake many indie artists make is failing to follow up after submitting their music. Sync licensing is a relationship-driven industry, and if you want to stay on a music supervisor's radar, a polite follow-up can make all the difference.
After submitting your track, wait a reasonable amount of time—typically a few weeks—before following up. When you do, keep the message professional and respectful. Remind them of your submission and reiterate how your track could work for their project. Avoid being pushy or overly persistent, but don’t be afraid to check in. Music supervisors are busy, and sometimes a friendly reminder is all they need to take another look at your submission.
Building long-term relationships with music supervisors can also help you secure future opportunities. Stay engaged by sending periodic updates about new releases, sync-ready tracks, or any notable licensing deals you’ve secured. Over time, this will help you become a go-to resource for supervisors looking for sync licensing options.
Conclusion
Sync licensing is an exciting opportunity for indie artists, but success requires more than just great music. By avoiding these common mistakes—overcomplicating your tracks, ignoring metadata, failing to research the project, neglecting to clear rights, and not following up—you can dramatically increase your chances of landing sync deals.
Remember to keep your submissions sync-ready by ensuring all rights are cleared and your music is properly tagged with essential metadata. Tailor your pitch to each project and take the time to follow up in a professional manner. With the right approach, your music could be the perfect fit for the next big TV show, film, or commercial.
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