Pitching to Music Supervisors: Do's and Don'ts

When you're ready to pitch your music to supervisors, it’s essential to approach them professionally and respectfully. Music supervisors are gatekeepers for some of the most coveted sync licensing opportunities in TV, film, and commercials. Getting your music placed in a sync can lead to increased exposure, royalties, and credibility in the music industry. But with so many artists vying for attention, how do you stand out? Here’s what to do—and what to avoid—when pitching your music to music supervisors.

Do: Research Before Pitching

Before sending your music to a music supervisor, it’s crucial to do your homework. Every supervisor works on specific types of projects, and tailoring your pitch to their niche can significantly increase your chances of success. For instance, if a supervisor primarily handles music for TV sync or film sync in action or thriller genres, it wouldn’t make sense to send a soft acoustic singer-songwriter track. Instead, send something that fits the tone of their recent work.

Additionally, if you’re pitching to a supervisor for a brand campaign or commercial use, consider the style of music typically associated with their past campaigns. It could be upbeat, catchy indie pop or anthemic instrumental tracks. Taking the time to understand their preferences demonstrates professionalism and respect for their time.

Do: Keep It Short and Simple

Music supervisors are inundated with pitches daily, so brevity is your best friend. When crafting your email, keep it concise. Include a short introduction, a description of the track(s) you’re pitching, and provide a sync-ready link to stream or download your music. Use platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify, or private links through Dropbox or Google Drive to share your music without clogging up their inbox.

Also, ensure that your email clearly states you own all the necessary sync rights to your music. If your track is available with exclusive rights, be sure to mention that, as some supervisors may prefer to work with exclusive licenses. If you are open to both exclusive and non-exclusive licenses, be clear about that as well.

Do: Include Metadata

Including the proper metadata is essential when pitching your music. This means making sure that all the vital information—song title, your contact information, rights details, and key descriptive elements (genre, mood)—are embedded in your music file. Music supervisors need to know who to contact if they want to license your song and what kind of rights you hold (whether it’s one-stop or split between different rights holders).

Your metadata should also indicate whether the track is vocal or instrumental, as supervisors often have specific needs depending on the type of project they are working on. By tagging your files accurately, you make it easier for supervisors to search for and revisit your track.

Don't: Send Unsolicited Attachments

A significant mistake many artists make when pitching to music supervisors is sending large file attachments like MP3s in their initial email. Music supervisors are incredibly busy, and nothing is more frustrating for them than having to download large files they didn’t ask for. Instead, always provide a streaming link or a download link that allows them to listen at their convenience without taking up unnecessary space.

Unsolicited attachments can even cause your email to get caught in spam filters, which means your pitch might never even be seen. Always respect their inbox space and opt for a clean and accessible way to share your music.

Don't: Spam Supervisors

Patience is key when pitching music. While it’s important to follow up on an initial email, there’s a fine line between being persistent and becoming a nuisance. Bombarding music supervisors with too many emails or pitches will likely lead to you being ignored or blacklisted from future opportunities.

If you don’t hear back immediately, give it some time before reaching out again. Often, a supervisor might save your music for a future project, even if it’s not right for their current needs. Consistently spamming them will damage your reputation and could ruin your chances of ever being considered for a sync licensing opportunity.

Don’t: Ignore Feedback

Feedback from a music supervisor is incredibly valuable, even if it’s not what you hoped for. Whether they suggest changes to your mix, a different genre focus, or note that your music isn’t quite right for their project, take the feedback seriously. Making the necessary adjustments or submitting something better aligned with their needs could lead to future placements.

If they inform you that they are only looking for pre-cleared music or one-stop tracks, and your music doesn’t meet that criterion, don’t take it personally. Instead, use it as an opportunity to streamline your next pitch or better prepare your catalog for future sync opportunities.

How to Make Your Music Stand Out in a Crowded Market

Music supervisors are always on the lookout for tracks that are sync-ready and easy to clear. Here are a few additional tips to help your music stand out in their inboxes:

• Be Sync-Ready: Ensure your music is professionally produced and mixed. Supervisors rarely accept demos, so your tracks should sound polished and ready for immediate placement.

• Offer Both Instrumental and Vocal Versions: Many times, supervisors need an instrumental version of a song to fit their project. Having both versions available increases your chances of a sync placement.

• Highlight Exclusive Rights or One-Stop Availability: If you control both the master and publishing rights to a track, mention that it’s a one-stop song. This simplifies the process for supervisors, as they only need to contact one party to license the track.

• Be Flexible with Licensing Options: Offering non-exclusive licenses in addition to exclusive licenses can make your music more attractive to supervisors, giving them flexibility in how they use your track.

• Prepare Metadata Thoughtfully: Ensure your files are tagged with your contact info, track name, genre, mood (e.g., "uplifting," "dramatic"), and other pertinent details.

• Sync-Ready Formats: Ensure that your music is available in high-quality formats such as WAV files and has easy-to-access links for supervisors to review.

Final Thoughts

Pitching your music to music supervisors can feel daunting, but by approaching it with professionalism and patience, you can increase your chances of success. Keep your pitch concise, focus on sending sync-ready music that fits their project, and make the process easy for supervisors by including all necessary rights information upfront.

While it may take time to land your first placement, persistence, and attention to detail will set you apart from the crowd. Remember, the more you tailor your approach and showcase your readiness to license music efficiently, the better your chances of seeing your music on TV, in films, or in a brand campaign.