Building a Sync-Friendly Catalog: Tips for Songwriters
Sync licensing is one of the most lucrative and creatively fulfilling opportunities for songwriters. It involves placing your music in films, TV shows, advertisements, video games, and other visual media. But not every song is equally suited for sync. Building a sync-friendly catalog requires strategy, creativity, and an understanding of what music supervisors and content creators look for.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you craft a catalog that maximizes your chances of landing sync placements.
1. Understand the Sync Market
Before diving into creating a catalog, take time to understand the sync market:
What Gets Placed? Explore songs used in commercials, movies, or trailers. Notice recurring themes, styles, and moods.
Emotional Appeal: Songs with universal themes—love, loss, triumph, or nostalgia—are especially attractive to sync buyers.
Spend time analyzing soundtracks, playlists, and case studies to recognize patterns in sync placements.
2. Write with Visuals in Mind
Sync music must complement visuals. When writing, consider the following:
Atmosphere: Create music that evokes specific moods (e.g., uplifting, somber, suspenseful).
Lyrical Themes: Focus on universal, relatable topics. Avoid overly specific names, dates, or details that may limit the song’s versatility.
Example: Instead of writing a song about a particular breakup, try writing about resilience or starting fresh, themes that fit broader contexts.
3. Prioritize Quality Production
While songwriting is essential, production quality can make or break your sync opportunities:
Clear and Polished: Ensure your tracks are professionally mixed and mastered. Sync clients need songs that sound production-ready.
Dynamic Builds: Create arrangements with tension and release to align with narrative arcs in media.
Versatility: Offer instrumental versions, stems (isolated track elements), and alternate mixes (e.g., no vocals) to maximize usability.
4. Build a Diverse Catalog
A sync-friendly catalog is about variety and adaptability:
Mood Diversity: Include tracks that evoke joy, sadness, tension, excitement, etc.
Tempo Range: Offer songs that work for high-energy scenes and introspective moments.
Genre Exploration: While staying authentic, explore different genres to appeal to a broader range of sync opportunities.
5. Pay Attention to Metadata
Metadata is crucial in the sync world because it helps music supervisors find your tracks.
Descriptive Tags: Include keywords for mood, style, tempo, instruments, and themes (e.g., “uplifting indie rock with female vocals”).
Contact Info: Make sure your contact details are easy to find.
Ownership Details: Clearly outline copyright and master rights ownership to avoid licensing hurdles.
6. Focus on Ownership and Rights
Sync clients prefer tracks with clear, one-stop licensing. To make your catalog sync-ready:
Own Your Rights: Retain both the master and publishing rights if possible.
Avoid Samples: Avoid tracks containing uncleared samples, as this complicates licensing.
Split Sheets: Have agreements in place with collaborators detailing splits to prevent disputes later.
7. Collaborate with Sync Experts
Working with sync agents, music libraries, and publishers can expand your reach.
Sync Libraries: Submit your tracks to libraries.
Build Relationships: Network with music supervisors and sync agents at industry events or online.
Custom Work: Be open to creating custom music for briefs, which often results in higher placement success.
Pro Tip: Publishing administration companies may offer sync opportunities to their roster. At my company Elizabeth Music Group, we offer creative-first deals that focus on transparency and we have an exclusive discord community for signed musicians that offers a wide range of sync licensing opportunities and sync briefs.
8. Test Your Music in Context
Before pitching your songs for sync, test them alongside visuals:
Pair with Video: Play your tracks over movie trailers, ads, or scenes to see if they enhance the mood or story.
Seek Feedback: Share your tracks with peers or professionals for honest feedback on sync potential.
9. Stay Consistent and Update Regularly
Sync trends evolve, and your catalog should keep up:
Stay Current: Keep an ear on current TV shows, films, and ads for trending sounds.
Add Seasonal Tracks: Include holiday-themed or summer-vibe songs for seasonal campaigns.
Refresh Old Tracks: Update older songs with fresh production or remix them for renewed relevance.
10. Be Patient and Persistent
Landing sync placements can take time, but persistence pays off:
Submit Regularly: Pitch your songs consistently to libraries and supervisors.
Build a Reputation: A few successful placements can open doors to bigger opportunities.
Stay Open to Rejection: Not every pitch will land, but each one brings valuable experience.
Pro Tip: Let the rejection motivate you to keep going.
Final Thoughts
Building a sync-friendly catalog is both an art and a science. It’s about crafting songs that resonate emotionally, fit seamlessly with visuals, and are easy to license. By understanding the sync market, diversifying your offerings, and maintaining professional standards, you can position your music for success in this exciting field.
Are you ready to take your catalog to the next level?
