Music Licensing Quick-Start Checklist
Step-by-Step Guide to Start Pitching Your Music
for Licensing
1. Prepare Your Music
• Select Your Best Tracks: Choose high-
quality, versatile tracks suitable for various
media.
• Master Your Tracks: Ensure they are
professionally mixed and mastered.
• Metadata: Tag your tracks with relevant
metadata (title, genre, mood, BPM, key, etc.).
Select Your Best Tracks:
Choosing the right tracks for music licensing is
crucial. You want to select high-quality tracks that are
versatile and suitable for various media contexts. This
means picking songs that can fit into different genres,
moods, and scenes. Tracks that have broad appeal
and can evoke emotions are often preferred by music
supervisors. Make sure the tracks you select
represent your best work and showcase your unique
sound.
Master Your Tracks:
Professionalism is key when it comes to licensing
your music. Ensuring your tracks are professionally
mixed and mastered will make them more appealing
to potential licensors. Mastering is the final step in
audio production and involves polishing the track to
make it sound cohesive and sonically appealing. This
step enhances the overall quality, making your music
stand out in a competitive market.
Metadata:
Metadata is information embedded in your music files
that helps identify and categorize them. Properly
tagging your tracks with metadata such as title, genre,
mood, BPM (beats per minute), and key is essential.
This information helps music supervisors quickly
understand the characteristics of your music and
makes it easier for them to find the right track for their
projects. Accurate and detailed metadata increases
the chances of your music being discovered and
licensed.
2. Organize Your Portfolio
• Create a Demo Reel: Compile a short reel
showcasing your best work.
• Separate Instrumentals: Prepare
instrumental versions of your tracks.
• Stem Files: Have stems (individual
instrument tracks) ready if requested.
Create a Demo Reel:
A demo reel is a powerful tool for showcasing your
best work to potential licensors. Compile a short reel
that highlights the variety and quality of your music.
Aim to include a mix of styles and moods that
demonstrate your versatility and ability to create
music suitable for different media contexts. Keep it
concise and engaging, ideally around 3-5 minutes, to
capture and hold the attention of music supervisors
and other industry professionals.
Separate Instrumentals:
Instrumental versions of your tracks are often in high
demand for use in various media projects, such as TV
shows, films, and commercials. Many times, lyrics can
interfere with dialogue or the overall message, so
having instrumentals ready can increase the chances
of your music being licensed. Ensure that these
versions are as polished and high-quality as your
original tracks.
Stem Files:
Stem files are individual tracks that isolate specific
elements of your music, such as drums, bass, vocals,
and other instruments. Having stems available upon
request can be a significant advantage, as it allows
music supervisors to remix or adjust the music to
better fit their project's needs. Stems provide flexibility
and can make your music more attractive to potential
licensors who may need to customize the track to suit
their specific requirements.
3. Prepare Your Marketing Materials
• Artist Bio: Write a compelling artist bio
highlighting your experience and
achievements.
• Press Photos: Include high-resolution,
professional press photos.
• Website/EPK: Ensure your website or
electronic press kit (EPK) is up-to-date and
professional.
Artist Bio:
A compelling artist bio is essential for making a strong
first impression. Your bio should highlight your
experience, achievements, and unique qualities as a
musician. It should tell your story in a way that
engages and resonates with readers, providing insight
into your musical journey, influences, and
accomplishments. A well-crafted bio can help build
your brand and make you more memorable to
potential licensors and collaborators.
Press Photos:
High-resolution, professional press photos are a vital
component of your marketing materials. These
images will be used in various contexts, such as
promotional materials, press releases, and social
media posts. Investing in a professional photo shoot
can make a significant difference in how you are
perceived. Choose images that reflect your
personality and style as an artist, and ensure they are
of high quality to leave a lasting impression.
Website/EPK:
Your website or electronic press kit (EPK) serves as
your online portfolio and should be up-to-date and
professional. This is often the first place potential
licensors will go to learn more about you and your
music. Make sure your website or EPK includes your
bio, press photos, music samples, contact
information, and any notable achievements or press
coverage. A well-designed, easy-to-navigate website
or EPK can significantly enhance your credibility and
make it easier for industry professionals to access
your materials.
4. Legal Essentials
• Copyright: Register your music with the
appropriate copyright office.
• PRO Registration: Register with a
Performance Rights Organization (PRO)
(ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, etc.).
• Contract Templates: Have basic licensing
agreements and contract templates ready.
Copyright:
Registering your music with the appropriate copyright
office is a critical step in protecting your work. This
legal registration ensures that you have exclusive
rights to your music and can take legal action if your
work is used without permission. In the United States,
you can register your music with the U.S. Copyright
Office. This protection not only secures your rights but
also adds a level of professionalism and security that
licensors look for when choosing music.
PRO Registration:
A Performance Rights Organization (PRO) such as
ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC plays a vital role in collecting
royalties on your behalf when your music is performed
publicly. Registering with a PRO ensures you get paid
for performances of your music on TV, radio, live
venues, and other platforms. This registration is
essential for tracking and collecting performance
royalties, which can be a significant source of income
for you as a musician.
Contract Templates:
Having basic licensing agreements and contract
templates ready is crucial for facilitating smooth and
professional transactions. These contracts outline the
terms of use, payment, rights, and responsibilities for
both parties involved in the licensing deal. Preparing
templates in advance means you can quickly respond
to licensing opportunities without delays. These
templates should cover different scenarios, such as
exclusive and non-exclusive licenses, sync licenses,
and master use licenses, to ensure you are prepared
for various types of deals.
5. Research and Target Music Libraries
• Curate a List: Compile a list of target
music libraries and supervisors.
• Submission Guidelines: Review and
follow submission guidelines for each library.
• Contact Details: Gather contact
information for submission inquiries.
Curate a List:
Compiling a list of target music libraries and
supervisors is a foundational step in your music
licensing journey. Start by identifying reputable music
libraries that align with the style and genre of your
music. Research these libraries to understand their
catalog and what types of music they typically license.
Include contact information, submission preferences,
and any relevant notes about each library. This
curated list will serve as your roadmap for pitching
your music effectively.
Submission Guidelines:
Each music library will have its own submission
guidelines that you must follow to be considered.
These guidelines can include specifics about file
formats, metadata requirements, and the submission
process itself. Carefully review and adhere to these
guidelines to ensure your submissions are
professional and meet the library's standards.
Ignoring these guidelines can result in your music
being overlooked, regardless of its quality.
Contact Details:
Gathering contact information for submission inquiries
is essential for personalized and direct
communication. While some libraries may have a
general submission portal, others may prefer direct
emails to specific contacts. Make sure you have the
correct email addresses, names, and roles of the
people you are submitting to. Personalizing your
submission with a contact’s name and referencing
their specific requirements or recent projects can
significantly improve your chances of getting noticed.
This approach demonstrates your professionalism
and attention to detail, setting you apart from generic
submissions.
6. Create and Send Your Pitches
• Personalized Emails: Write personalized
pitch emails for each target.
• Subject Line: Craft attention-grabbing
subject lines.
• Follow-Up: Plan a follow-up schedule for
your pitches.
Personalized Emails:
Writing personalized pitch emails for each target is
crucial to making a strong connection with potential
licensors. Tailor each email to the recipient by
addressing them by name and mentioning specific
details about their work or the music library. Highlight
why your music would be a good fit for their needs
and include a brief introduction of yourself.
Personalization shows that you have done your
research and are genuinely interested in working with
them, which increases the likelihood of a positive
response.
Subject Line:
Crafting attention-grabbing subject lines is an
essential part of getting your email opened. Your
subject line should be concise, clear, and intriguing,
giving the recipient a reason to read further. Avoid
generic phrases and instead use specific, engaging
language that hints at the value of your music. For
example, "Upbeat Instrumentals Perfect for Your Next
Project" is more likely to catch attention than "Music
Submission."
Follow-Up:
Planning a follow-up schedule for your pitches
ensures that your efforts do not go unnoticed. After
sending your initial email, wait a reasonable amount
of time (typically one to two weeks) before following
up. In your follow-up, politely remind the recipient of
your initial email and express your continued interest
in working with them. Following up demonstrates your
persistence and dedication, which can make a
positive impression. Keep track of all follow-up
communications to avoid sending repetitive messages
and to stay organized.
7. Monitor and Track Your Submissions
• Submission Tracker: Keep a spreadsheet
or tracker of all your submissions, responses,
and follow-ups.
• Networking: Engage with industry contacts
and network regularly.
Submission Tracker:
Keeping a detailed submission tracker is essential for
managing your music licensing efforts effectively. Use
a spreadsheet or a dedicated tracking tool to log all
your submissions, including the date of submission,
the name of the music library or supervisor, the tracks
you submitted, and any responses received. This
tracker helps you stay organized and ensures you
follow up on submissions in a timely manner. By
maintaining this record, you can identify patterns in
your submissions and adjust your strategies based on
what works best.
Networking:
Engaging with industry contacts and networking
regularly is a vital part of building your music licensing
business. Attend industry events, join relevant online
forums and groups, and connect with other musicians,
music supervisors, and industry professionals.
Networking helps you stay informed about new
opportunities and trends in the music licensing world.
Building relationships with key players can open
doors to new licensing deals and collaborations,
providing valuable insights and advice to enhance
your career. Regularly update your network on your
latest projects and successes to keep your
connections strong and engaged.
8. Build Relationships and Stay Informed
• Follow Up: Send polite follow-up emails to
maintain relationships.
• Industry News: Stay updated with the
latest trends and opportunities in music
licensing.
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly
update your portfolio and improve your tracks
based on feedback.
Follow Up:
Sending polite follow-up emails is essential for
maintaining and nurturing professional relationships.
After your initial submission or introduction, follow up
if you haven’t received a response within a
reasonable time frame, typically one to two weeks.
Your follow-up email should be courteous and
concise, reminding the recipient of your previous
message and expressing your continued interest.
Regular follow-ups can help keep you on their radar
and demonstrate your persistence and
professionalism.
Industry News:
Staying updated with the latest trends and
opportunities in music licensing is crucial for staying
competitive. Subscribe to industry newsletters, follow
relevant blogs, and participate in online forums to
keep abreast of new developments, technologies, and
market shifts. Understanding the current landscape
helps you tailor your music and marketing strategies
to meet the evolving needs of music supervisors and
other licensors.
Continuous Improvement:
Regularly updating your portfolio and improving your
tracks based on feedback is key to long-term
success. Review feedback from music supervisors
and industry professionals to identify areas for
improvement. Continuously refine your music to
ensure it meets industry standards and resonates with
your target audience. Updating your portfolio with new
and improved tracks showcases your growth as an
artist and keeps your offerings fresh and relevant to
potential licensors.
Additional Resources
Forums/Groups:
• Taxi A&R Community: [Link]
• Gearslutz Music Business Forum:
[Link]/board/music-business
• Music Library Report: [Link]
Books:
• "The Musician's Guide to Licensing Music"
by Darren Wilsey: Amazon Link
• "Hey! That's My Song!" by Tracey and
Vance Marino: Amazon Link
• "Making Music Make Money: An Insider's
Guide to Becoming Your Own Music
Publisher" by Eric Beall: Amazon Link
Webinars/Courses:
• Aaron Davison's Free 4-Hour Video Course:
How to License Your Music Premium
• Berklee Online Course on Music Licensing:
Berklee Online
Industry Blogs:
• Music Business Worldwide:
[Link]
• Synchblog: [Link]
• Aaron Davison's Blog: How to License Your
Music
These resources will provide you with valuable
information, support, and continuous learning
opportunities as you navigate the music licensing
landscape!
