As a musician, you’ve put in hours of work perfecting your craft and creating music that you’re proud of. However, getting your music heard by the right people can be a challenge. One way to get your music noticed is through music licensing, which is the process of granting permission to use your music in TV shows, films, commercials, and other media.
Music supervisors are often the gatekeepers to this world. They work closely with directors, show runners and producers and are responsible for selecting the music that appears in various media productions. They often receive thousands of submissions from artists, so it’s essential to know how to grab their attention and stand out from the competition.
The first step to getting your music noticed by music supervisors is to understand what they’re looking for in a piece of music. One crucial factor is that your music should match the tone and mood of the production. For example, if the production is a romantic comedy, you’ll want to submit music that is light and upbeat. If the production is a thriller, you’ll want to submit music that is intense and suspenseful.
Another factor that music supervisors consider are the lyrics of a song. While instrumental tracks are popular in certain genres, lyrics can help to convey a message that complements the visuals. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that your lyrics are meaningful, and they fit with the overall theme of the production. It’s been my experience that the lyrics should convey emotion and not get too specific with names or places. In the music licensing profits course there is a whole module on songwriting for TV and Film.
Once you’ve created the perfect piece of music that aligns with the production, you need to make sure it’s easy for music supervisors to find and access. One way to do this is to create a music licensing website that features your work. This website should be user-friendly, easy to navigate, and have clear instructions on how music supervisors can license your music. It’s important that your music is pre-cleared meaning all your co-writers and musicians already have an agreement between themselves. This way the Music Supervisor won’t have to hunt down every person involved with your music. Make it as easy for them as possible.
You can also use social media to promote your music and connect with music supervisors. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn are great places to showcase your work and build relationships with people in the industry. You can share snippets of your music, tag music supervisors, and engage with other musicians to build a following.
In addition, you should consider working with a music licensing agency that can help you get your music in front of music supervisors. These agencies have established relationships with music supervisors and can help you get your foot in the door. However, it’s essential to do your research and ensure that you’re working with a reputable agency.
Getting your music noticed by music supervisors requires creating music that matches the tone and mood of the production, having meaningful lyrics, and making it easy for music supervisors to find and access your work. By using social media, building relationships in the industry, and working with a reputable music licensing agency, you can increase your chances of getting your music licensed and reaching a wider audience.
To find out more about music licensing, tap here and check out our Free Training Video, “Where The Money’s Hiding in the Music Business, in 2023”This Training Solves the Biggest Problem Facing Professionals Today