This is my second post in a series on how to make money licensing your music to film/TV and elsewhere. The first post is here and covers several foundational topics, which you might find helpful to building your music licensing business.
As I mentioned yesterday, I'll be getting deeper and deeper into this as we go along, so it will be important for you to keep up. To do so, I need you to do two things:
1. Subscribe to my feed. It's free and this will make sure you're instantly updated when I post a new video or other information on licensing music.
2. Sign up for email updates. Not everything, such as the direct contact information I'm going to give you, will be posted here.
Input your name and primary email address below. That way you'll be sure to stay on top of everything I release.
NOTE: You can unsubscribe from this list at any time, with a simple click. :)
Before we get started, note that the teleconference I mentioned yesterday will likely be held next week. This is a free event, which will allow me a more personal way to get you all the information you need to run a successful music licensing business. Space will be limited, so get on the list above, because you'll get priority slots.
For now, here's the second round of questions I received from people. I've gotten hundreds of emails, many with several questions, so expect more posts similar to this one.
On to the questions...
1. Which music license pays more? Music in films, television, or video games?
It depends. There is definitely a general hierarchy when it comes to television though. Broadcast television, which in the US would be networks like ABC, NBC, and CBS, pays best, because these networks reach the most people. Premium channels on cable TV pay more than "basic cable."
Don't worry about this stuff though. Place your music where it fits. Never leave money on the table.
2. I just released my first album. How do I get started in music licensing?
You're in good shape, especially if you've written the songs. With that said though, there is definitely a market for "cover" songs, as they're usually less expensive than originals. For example, your version of "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones is probably available for less money than the original.
Of course, how much you want to get for your music is up to you...just make sure you don't overprice yourself. You don't have a monopoly on this business. :)
See my first post on the subject as it has some information on how you can get connected with people.
3. My most pressing interest right now is making a
start with marketing my music - and getting some paid gigs, etc. Can
music licensing help me?
Licensing your music to a film or television show can be a great way to get the word out about your music. If you can get on a show like popular show such Grey's Anatomy, which is quite possible for independent artists, your music will be played for millions of people.
Even if you choose to have your music in a lesser known show, your music will still reach people in a big, big way. With radio playlists getting smaller and smaller, people are looking to television and film to find out about new music.
Of course, perhaps the best thing about being part of a film or television show is that you can put this in your marketing.
How many times have you been in a store and seen a product like this on display?
If it's been on television, it must be great, right?
I don't know... But I do know that most people have that assumption. And people will assume the same thing about your music when you're trying to get a gig, radio airplay, or a review, and you send along a big list of films and television shows which your music has been involved with.
And as you well know, big media like television and film is the absolute best way to reach a ton of people quickly. Take Sarah Palin for instance... Nobody knew who she was one minute and now everybody knows who she is.
This is the kind of thing that can happen to you when you get your music in film.
Imagine your music in a significant, emotional scene in Grey's Anatomy...
What's going to happen immediately after the episode is over? What's going to happen when people are talking about the show around the water cooler the next day?
People will be searching for, buying, and talking about your music!
4. How do i make money on music licensing?
At it's most basic level, you'll make money from:
1. A Licensing Fee - You'll get a check directly from the production company as payment for use of your recording.
2. Performance Royalties - When your song is played, whether it be on television or in a theater, you'll collect money from your performing rights organization (BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, SOCAN, etc.).
See my first post on the subject for more details on how you'll make money with music licensing.
5. I'm from Montréal - Canada, and I would like to
reach the international market. Is it possible for me to get access to
the USA market?
Definitely. In fact, it's one of the best ways to reach an international market, since you don't have to worry about spending time, money, or other resources doing things like touring or traditional media. And you won't have to worry about the language barrier either!
Speaking from personal experience, a big chunk of the opportunities via my music licensing newsletter have been international. I've found that European and Asian countries are especially fond of US and Canadian music.
So this is a simple and easy way to reach an area of the world which you might not be able to otherwise. You simply license your music to the film or television production, then sit back and collect the royalties. This is all taken care of via your local performing rights organization, such as BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, or SOCAN.
As I mentioned in my first post on the subject, the newsletter mentioned above is no longer taking new subscribers. Apologies. Will work on getting something out to the list (signup below) though, so you can see an example of the kind of opportunity I am talking about.
More coming, so make sure you subscribe to the feed to keep in top of things. Also, if you want the real life examples and direct contact information of where you can send your music, be sure you sign up for the list below. I can't post that kind of information on a public website. :)
Input your name and primary email address below. That way you'll be sure to stay on top of everything I release.
NOTE: You can unsubscribe from this list at any time, with a simple click. :)
Comments