What you NEED to license your music
December 31, 2022
If there is one thing that can put you over the top when trying to license your music to TV & film, it’s earning the trust of music supervisors.
I talk about the good and not so good ways of doing that.
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Hey! Give us a shout about anything really.
contact Sync Songwriter
Our goal is for you to start getting your music into TV & film.
You rock Chris. Thanks for your guidance and excellent training. And yes, I trust you!
Thanks so much, Gene.
With my first song on Spotify, etc, Ive gotten two inquiries for sync placement, but since I’m using Songtrust as Admin. For my Pub., I’m not sure if that stops the Sync people from dealing with me.
That shouldn’t have an effect at all, Frank. The challenge is getting your songs heard and selected for sync opportunities. The admin is definitely secondary as long as it’s done right.
I am clueless. I just compose endlessly. I’d love to learn more, but I am poor. So I am afraid to go any further. I have no formal training. I have played out as a musician but that’s about it. I. only do original music and I imitate styles.
You can definitely make things happen for a lot less than you think, Stephen. It’s about investing in yourself in the right way. Hope to see you at the panel so I can let you know more about that.
Hey Chris…I trust you, your judgement and your guidance. Where did you film this video…I love to sail. I’m a little green right now lol!!!
Best,
Sloane
Thanks for the kind words, Sloane. I am in the Sea Of Cortez right now. Hope to see you at the panel!
My band will release at least one song per month in 2023 – one music video ready to be released late January. Save my spot, cause we’re gonna take over the world. Music Supervisors, buckle up ’cause we are gonna blow your minds.
I love that, Leo! You can absolutely do this.
I trust you Chris. You are really on a boat, unlike all those fakers with their virtual backgrounds 😉
Great points as always!
🙂 Yup, I love working from my floating part-time office. Thanks for that.
Your Old Friend Jay: How do you make your money?
In the sync licensing industry, my friend. This is one of the reasons I am so passionate about finding exposure and income streams for indie musicians like yourself. It’s sitting right there, you just need to be connected with the right people.
Chris …I’m a little confused as to what you do or provide to song writers/artists… I get that this is about pursuing sync opportunities but again maybe I missed this in an earlier communication however if you can guide me to a site or information that helps clarify the relationship you refer to it will be much appreciated …. Thanks much, Bob
Thanks for asking, Bob. I simply teach and connect indie musicians like yourself to top music supervisors who can use your music in their TV & film opportunities. You can find out more at: https://syncsongwriter.com
Who can you trust these days…? A flock of sheep trust the shepheard but he’ll eat them in the end…!
I like your analogy (and it could be the beginning of a song you should write). I would argue that there is probably a better one though than equating musicians to sheep. I also prefer to think of myself more of a mentor and connector than a shepherd… and I promise not to eat you. 🙂
Well trust is a huge thing…especially with internet related pitches. For me, I think I am a good writer/producer but getting honest feedback is so hard.
Totally agree, Dave. Trust is built, but there can be a big shortcut to it when it comes from the right people. One of the things I do is help musicians get the exact feedback you are looking for at Sync Songwriter. There is nothing like the hive mind giving you their unvarnished opinion about your work.
Happy New Year Chris! Please email me regarding the costs to work with you. 🙂
Happy New Year, back at you Rada! The first thing you can do is come out my ‘Sync Songwriter Music Supervisor Panel’. No admission fee at all, it’s completely free.
Hmmm… "Trust". I was looking for a co-writer down in Nashville so I began interacting with this co-writer and they introduced me to another co-writer that just happened to be a "terrorist" from South Africa. This "terrorist" from South Africa started making death threats. I did know what to think. I didn’t weather to turn him into the Franklin Police in Nashville or the Carmel Police in Indianapolis or the FBI. I get it now when Michael Elsner said he knew his current co-writer for 15 years before they started writing together. "Time" binds people together not record deals.
Wow! That story belongs in a movie. I would say that is not a very common one. 🙂 15 years is a long time to develop a relationship and I have made my closest friends in a lot less than that. I think the real way to do this is due diligence, trusting your gut, and one step at a time.
Hi Chris. Based on my experience of your willingness to give ongoing free, VALID advice, I know you will only offer us something worthwhile, so yes, I trust you. However, I don’t want to waste anyone’s time. I’m back in music after years in the business world, and I’m still updating my technical knowledge and ability. I’ve been encouraged so far with a few library placements, and good feedback from supervisor listening sessions. I just don’t want to go gangbusters after supervisors/coordinators until I have a larger broadcast-ready catalog. I could be wrong, but I want to be the one THEY trust to save them time. 🙂
That sounds like a great plan Cheryl, but remember the size of your catalog doesn’t matter to a music supervisor. It is the whether you have the right song for the opportunity. It is wisest to start pitching your current songs and grow your catalog at the same time.
Link to the 1/15 Music SupervisorsPanel?
The link isn’t ready yet, Everett. Keep an eye on your inbox though.
Hello Chris, I am a songwriter with credits in major movies- Angel eyes with Jennifer Lopez, (my song is the montage for the sex scene sung by Leanne rimes)
Driven, View from the top soundtrack, CBS promo that I wrote and sang myself, & more.
I got these cuts when I was with a big publisher in Nashville.
Now I’m a featured artist with the 3rd largest music DAW in the world, & I get remixed by people that use the program. Some have remixed me and then gotten cuts with my songs even thou it states in the program the songs are not royalty free. Someone even placed one of these remixes in the new series Resident Alien.
Fl studio (the music daw that features my music) just featured a contest for one of my songs & are also releasing a vocal
Pack of mine. Anyway ive got all these incredible producers and remixes now that are worthy of pitching, as far as being quality productions. (I know how picky Film & tv can be)
I also have a song signed with Heavy Hitter Music publishing, but it has not been placed yet.
My question is, how do I connect with the right people to get my productions placed?
My publishing company did all these placements for me, and so I know I’ve got the goods, I just don’t have the team. It’s just me and my day job. Laurie Webb aka LollieVox
Lollie, that is really great to hear about all your success! One way to connect to the right people is to do it the way I did which takes a lot of time and dedication, the other is to let me introduce you to them. Come out to my free ‘Sync Songwriter Music Supervisor Panel’ and I can show you how.
Hi there Chris, Juliano here! Eagerly waiting for more intel on the January 15th panel, gonna be there for sure! Cheers, happy new year everyone!
Great to hear, Juliano. See you there!
I’m so new to all of this, so I have no idea what I’m doing really. Therefore, I have zero strategy for moving forward, other than continuing to write and record. Looking forward to learning more in 2023. Happy New Year!
You will certainly learn a ton at the ‘Sync Songwriter Music Supervisor Panel’. Hope to see you there!
Thanks Chris – Looking forward to the 15th!
See you there, Bill!
I am looking forward to this!
Great to hear, Anne-Louise. I’m as excited about it as you are. 🙂
Hey Chris- I trust you brother! Your advice is always on point! I was able to push out our new holiday song at the last minute December 16, and between our lyric video on YouTube and streams on Spotify, combine did 15k, this tells us that our song "A Wish For The Holiday’s" was off to a good start, and because of your trusted advice, we got it out there! Now we can got hard in June to hopefully land sync placement! An executive for one of the biggest music shows, informed me that it will be sung at the Christmas Finale this year! Thanks once again Chris, for your invaluable advice!
https://youtu.be/VBwO9ZnMwE8
I love hearing that, Ming. I am glad to have contributed to your success no matter how small my part might have been. Keep rolling!
Thanks Chris, i’ll be there 15th
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I would like to attend your seminar, I would like to get my music place in movies, series and commercials, so I am looking forward to hearing more
That’s the place to be to make that happen, Keishera. See you there!
I in ! I need to start seriously make some progress as far as placements or I may loose everything !
Mj
This is your first biggest step to getting those placements, Michaelj. See you there!
Do I trust you? Honestly no, because I don’t know you. In this current world, trust is built over time. I really don’t trust anyone but my family and God. The music industry is the shadiest of industries, and I have been ripped off for $ many times (like most people). I do trust that you are a reputable music supervisor. I have been watching your
content for a while now. I have played guitar and music since age 4 (I’m now 41), and I have been trying to break into music licensing for about 10 years now. I submitted to tons of music libraries (and have been accepted by some, but my songs don’t have any placements yet), and even enrolled in a Music Licensing course. It seems to me like music supervisors only respond when you are paying them. After you pay them, it’s like going back to pitching to a black hole). Cool hat btw
Fair enough, I’ll take reputable. There are certainly people in the music licensing industry that put their interests above musicians, but know that there are also good people out there too. Just make sure you do your due diligence to make sure those people have been walking the talk.
Thanks Chris for reaching out and offering a spot for us. Sounds interesting and we will try to make it but will be dependent on the time. HNY!
Sounds great, Eclecticus!
Hi Chris…as always, I truly appreciate what you do for us. I have had some life changes that have interrupted my progress toward my goal of sync placements… I want to continue to learn more, so I am looking forward to this next program.
Lynn Langtry
Good to hear, Lynn. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Hey Chris! Appreciate you taking the time to make this video and invite us to the event on the 15th. I look forward to checking it out and picking up some new gems!
Good stuff, Reece. See you there, I can’t wait myself. 🙂
I’m here to learn and find out a road map for my son who is a young and amazing musician already. How do we navigate through all of this while keeping him an Indie Artist? Looking forward to the information on January 15th. Thanks for the invitation.
Absolutely, Kyndria. Looking forward to helping your son figure this out. It’s not complicated, but it’s important to pick the right path forward.
Thanks for your encouragement
👍
I have a major catalogue and am looking for an outlet. I’m actually on my 7th album since the beginning of the pandemic. My email is westblake@yahoo.com. My name is Ronnie
You come across as being trustworthy.
Thanks Ronnie. Hope to see you at the Sync Songwriter Music Supervisor Panel.
Hi Chris: Thanks for sharing this opportunity with me, I will try my endeavor best to be present.
Sounds good, Maxine.
Hi Chris, trust is a tough area. Have had it and it makes a difference. 2023? Music sups? Follow them and research their needs at a particular point in time, then give them what they want? Establish contact with a
a Sync Agent who is as passionate about my music as Iam. But how? Flailing. Have a diverse catalogue. Intrigued by your upcoming event. Haven’t bounced back after pandemic cancellations.
Yes it is a tricky road, and my job is to give musicians like you a road map to real success in music licensing. Hope to see you at the panel!
Ace MeloD
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Hi Chris – Having "met" you through TSA, I do have a level of trust that you speak the honest truth here. At this point in my songwriting life, I have little to offer a music supervisor, but I need to continue learning for if/when the time comes that I am ready to move in the synch licensing direction. Thanks for putting this on.
I wouldn’t write yourself off that quickly, Eugene. I got a vocal and piano recorded on an iPhone and helped turn it into a track that has been licensed 3 times and counting. If you have some talent at songwriting, the rest of the pieces are easy to put into place.
Hey Chris I just started out would really love your help on how to get things going the right way so my music won’t just sit somewhere waiting
Your first step is coming out the free Sync Songwriter Music Supervisor Panel. Hope to see you there!
Hi Chris,
I can tell you that you have my trust with my gut feeling. Yet, although I am a US citizen with professional educations here. I’m an Asian. How does these add up as a whole? That’s why I was hesitating previously… Hope I was wrong.
Sincerely,
Gong
Hey Gong, America has its problems, but one of them is not diversity in successful music making. It doesn’t matter at all where you are from it just comes down to the songs. Don’t let that even be a thought to make you hesitate.
Hey Chris bro you seem quite a trustworthy sort. But I’m 17 from new Zealand and I’ve been writing and releasing songs for a year now. And I I was wondering where you think would be a good area to move to. I’m working in construction for 2023 to save but I don’t know what would be the best scene to place myself in for 2024.
Owe, you really don’t need to move anywhere to be a successful artist, especially in music licensing. That said, living in a music center is great if you are looking to collaborate with other musicians and producers. I moved to LA for the same reason, but totally not necessary.
Hey Chris,
Great advice,
Running a business of my own helps me to apply what I’ve learned to sync licensing.
Ultimately, we have a product/service we are trying to sell and keeping in touch with the purchasers and understanding their needs and being able to communicate properly is key.
What you’re doing is a big help!
Thanks my friend
Yup, you are on the right track. The trick though is getting your music heard by the gatekeepers. Thanks for the kind words and I hope to see you at The Sync Songwriter Music Supervisor Panel on January 15th!
Thanks for the Connection
👍
Hello Chris. Thank you for the info and the connect. Very interested in attending but did not see an address anywhere. Please let me know where it will be at. Hopefully it’s in Miami. Good luck and best wishes.
Details are on their way, Diego!
I will be there. I want to learn how to properly format my songs for pitching. I know I have at least a few tracks that will be a great fit for sync deals.
That sounds great! See you there.
I have had the blessing of getting one of my songs out there. But have a bunch of releases that I would love to get into film and media. What do I need to do now..
Just come out to the panel and you will discover what you need to know.
What is the link to the panel? I am in the UK
It will be coming in an email shortly. Just keep an eye on your inbox!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0CheqTqiG1CrLaM7nxcuT8?si=69kOKJ7RQbKqSvu7mfp9XA
Here is the link to ally current releases but I also have a bunch not yet released.
Hi Charmain, I unfortunately can’t listen to all the music that gets sent to me, but show up to the panel and we can talk about working together.
Hi Chris you are 100% right, in this, trust is everything in life, normally I use my intuition and my gut feeling about people, but still, I have met lots of scammers in this industry, and become much more careful. thank you all the best Karen
Good to hear, Karen. Always do your due diligence.