A sync placement or sync licensing is an industry term for the use of music in visual media. It's a music license granted by the creator to be used by a third party to be synced with visuals. A sync license is an agreement that must clearly outline placement, payment, and permissions. Sync placements are a great way to further your reach as an artist and create awareness for your music. There's a sync placement for every genre of music! Think of millions of unique ads, TV shows, movies, and video games coming out daily. Not one type of media requires a certain type of sound or niche.
PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
TV shows
Commercials
Movies
Trailers
Video games
Podcasts
Online web series & Videos
Here are a few different ways artists can get paid for a sync placement:
UPFRONT FEES
There are two music copyrights for every sync placement. Artists can earn upfront fees for both master and composition rights.
1. Master Use License is paid to the artist that owns the master, studio track or live recording. 2. Composition Sync License is paid to the songwriter or music publisher for the melody and lyrics.
It’s ideal for artists to write their songs and own their masters to collect both upfront fees. Otherwise, you must communicate with all other parties involved for permission. There is also no limit to the number of times you can use a song for sync placement.
RESIDUAL ROYALTIES
Performance royalties can be negotiated and paid to the artist every time the song is used. These royalties are paid to the artist every time their music is played in public, whether on the radio, television, or in a live performance!
One of the most significant advantages of performance royalties is that they can continue to generate income for the artist over an extended period of time. This means that even after the initial use of the music, the artist can continue to earn money from the royalties for years to come. In some cases, a single sync placement in a TV show or movie can generate passive income for several years, providing a steady source of revenue for the artist.
AVERAGE PAYOUT
Without a standard industry sync fee, the payout for sync licensing fluctuates. Numerous factors will determine how much you will earn from a placement. Price varies on the type of visual media, length of audio being used, duration of usage, region, demand for the song, experience of the artist, and nature of use.
Underground artists working on small projects can expect a few hundred dollars, whereas major artists working on a large budget production can expect a few thousand dollars.
Learn more about how sync licensing can help you monetize your music career from expert advice from a professional in the industry.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Music supervisors are tasked with finding the perfect audio for whatever project they are working on which can range from theme songs for TV shows to background music in commercials. Unfortunately, reaching out to music supervisors and pitching your music directly used to be a lot easier. Nowadays, music supervisors will only communicate with sync agents.
Sync agents work for music licensing companies or freelance to can connect artists with exclusive opportunities. They represent artists and can recommend music that is completely cleared and ready to be licensed to producers. You can find sync agents on LinkedIn or through music sync agencies. A few good places to begin the process include Music Gateway, The Sync Agency, and Symphonic.
If you don’t have the budget for a sync agent, check out these sync licensing companies that are free to join and currently accepting music submissions. Once somebody decides your sound is the perfect fit for their needs you will get paid!
Before signing up, create a diverse music portfolio with all the songs you want to share. Organize your portfolio by genre, mood, or "sounds like" artist. This will make it easier for people looking for a specific type of sound to find your music. It's recommended to have a full list of songs including different versions of each. Add originals, instrumentals, and clean versions if applicable.
SYNC LICENSING COMPANIES
Music supervisors are constantly looking for original and unique sounds to sync their visuals with and create one-of-a-kind projects. Submit your music to any of the sync licensing companies listed above to get one step closer to listen to your song on the big screens!
Sync licensing can be a lucrative opportunity for musicians to get their music heard by a wider audience and earn money for their work. With a diverse music portfolio and the help of sync agents or licensing companies, artists can increase their chances of landing a sync placement.
Keep in mind that the payout for sync licensing can vary, but with upfront fees and residual royalties, it can add up over time. So, if you're a musician looking to expand your reach and license your music for media, consider exploring the world of sync placements.
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