👂 What Kind Of Music Is Good For Sync Licensing?

Sync tip of the week

Metadata might not sound glamorous, but it’s absolutely essential when it comes to getting your music placed in TV shows, movies, or commercials. Think of it as the behind-the-scenes info that helps music supervisors find your track. Without it, your track could easily get lost in a sea of options, or worse, overlooked entirely. On top of that, having clear metadata ensures you get credited correctly and paid fairly if your music is used.

For musicians looking to dive into sync licensing, adding metadata is a simple but crucial step. You'll want to include all the key details: the song title, artist, genre, mood, tempo, and keywords that describe your track. Don't forget about things like PRO information, ISRC codes, and your contact details. This helps music supervisors not only find your music quickly but also reach out to you if they want to use it. Tools like DISCO.ac make it easy to add this info, so it’s worth taking the time to do it right. In the fast-paced world of sync licensing, solid metadata could be the difference between getting your music placed or being passed over.

What kind of music is perfect for sync licensing?

In our recent Selling The Soundtrack Podcast episode Why Authenticity Is Crucial In Sync ft Heather Gardner Head of Music Supervision for Vapor Music, Heather shares key insights about what kind of music is ideal for sync licensing.

Her main takeaway: almost anything can work — the key is authenticity and versatility. She explains that in today’s content-driven world, from film and television to indie games and streaming platforms, there’s room for a wide range of music styles and genres. What works for one project might not work for another, but with the sheer diversity of media content being created today, there’s a home for every sound. It's not about trying to create "sync-friendly" music or adhering to a formula — most successful sync music comes from artists being true to their own voice.

Heather emphasizes that if you're an artist, your primary focus should be creating the music that resonates with you personally. Once you've honed your sound, then figure out where it fits. While it's important to be mindful of syncing needs (like providing clean versions, instrumentals, and proper metadata), you should never sacrifice your authenticity just to fit a mold.

At the same time, she encourages musicians to understand the business side, like proper song registration and metadata management. She notes that sync professionals depend on clear and organized information to make licensing decisions. And while it can be disappointing when a track you love doesn't get placed, Heather underscores that sync placements are a complex process with many factors beyond the artist’s control, including the creative direction and timing of the project.

If your music is authentic and well-prepared, it will find its place in the world of sync licensing — even if that process takes time.

Resources to succeed

After wrapping Season 1 of Selling The Soundtrack, we interviewed a dozen sync industry professionals about their journeys, insights, and tips for emerging musicians. If you caught our season finale, you’ll know that many common themes and patterns emerged across the conversations—one of the biggest being the importance of using DISCO.ac.

DISCO is the most intuitive, all-in-one platform for sync licensing, designed specifically for music supervisors and catalog managers. It’s the go-to tool for independent artists, producers, and sync agents. Here’s why professionals love it:

1. Effortless File Management
   Upload a hi-res file, and DISCO automatically converts it to MP3, saving you time and simplifying file management.

2. Real-Time Engagement Tracking
   DISCO’s analytics let you track who’s listening, when they’re listening, and whether they’ve downloaded your tracks—giving you instant feedback.

3. Affordable & Easy to Use
   DISCO is a budget-friendly, user-friendly platform that streamlines your pitching process without the complicated tech.

4. Pro-Level Pitching
   Create sleek, custom playlists with artwork, logos, and shareable links to make your submissions stand out.

5. Industry Standard
   DISCO is the go-to tool for music professionals managing catalogs and sync processes on the move.

Sign up here and learn more in our interview with Jay Ward, Account Exec at DISCO.ac, where we dive into why this tool is essential for every musician and sync professional.

Not-to-miss events

This November, SHADES of Sync is the place to be for anyone with sync on their mind. Picture an event jam-packed with everything from Sync Licensing 101 to the secrets behind Indie Sync on a Budget, not to mention some killer networking over lunch. Don’t sleep on it – check out shadesofsync.com for more info.

Thanks for being here!

• Check out the Selling The Soundtrack Podcast for interviews with sync industry veterans sharing tips on how to succeed in the world of sync

• Scroll through www.ispot.tv (it’s free) to listen to the music in some of your favourite commercials for inspiration before your next recording session

• Check out our sync outreach email templates - it’ll help you streamline your emails to sync agents, music supervisors and music library owners.

Questions? 🧐 Let me know here: https://www.sellingthesoundtrack.com/contact-us

Keep hustlin’ guys, you got this and I’m here for you! See you in the next podcast episode and email newsletter :)