How Producers Make Money With Their Music
Many producers dream of making it big, but there’s a flexible, powerful strategy to earn extra income on the side: licensing your music to libraries. By opening up a steady revenue stream through placements in TV shows, films, commercials, and online media, this approach not only builds long-term income but also challenges you to diversify your catalog and grow as a producer.
Step One: Setting the Stage with a PRO
Before your music starts earning royalties through placements, you need to ensure you’re set up to collect your earnings. In the U.S., the three main Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) are:
Registering with one of these organizations is essential. They track where your music is used and make sure you receive the royalties you’re owed every time your work is broadcast.
All three PROs are reputable, boasting long, storied careers with many famous composers and producers among their members. Take some time to browse through their sites and select the one that best aligns with your needs, and then you can confidently move forward with submitting your music to libraries.
Step Two: Submitting Your Music to Libraries
The heart of this strategy is placing your music in a library, where it can be licensed for a variety of projects and generate consistent passive income.
Expand Your Catalog
Music libraries are always on the lookout for fresh, versatile tracks. Even if you’re primarily known for one genre—say, dance music—it’s beneficial to diversify your catalog. Experimenting with different styles not only increases your placement opportunities but also helps you grow as a producer and composer. For example, music companies like Gramoscope Music and Viralnoise have very diverse libraries and different approaches to licensing music. Gramoscope Music is a more traditional music library that licenses their music to TV shows, films, and commercials while Viralnoise licenses their music exclusively to content creators, influencers, podcasters, and anyone creating digital content. It’s definitely worth doing a little research to figure out what libraries you would want to submit your music to for placements. Remember, no matter what type of music you create—be it rock, ambient, electronic, or experimental—there’s likely a place for it in film, TV, commercials, etc. High-quality music libraries like Gramoscope Music and Viralnoise cover all genres.
Preparing Your Music for Submission
When submitting your tracks to music libraries, it’s important to follow their guidelines so your work can be seamlessly integrated into various media projects. Here are some key points and common requirements to consider:
General Guidelines:
- Track Length: Most libraries prefer cues that run between 1 minute 30 seconds and 2 minutes 30 seconds. This duration is long enough to establish a mood without overstaying its welcome.
- Song Structure: Aim for a reliable and familiar form. A structure featuring an intro, verse, and chorus works well—it’s catchy enough to engage listeners, yet subtle enough to serve as effective background music without distracting from dialogue or visuals.
- Mood and Versatility: Your music should enhance the scene rather than overpower it. Create tracks that set the right atmosphere and can easily be adapted for various media projects.
Mix Variations:
Music libraries often request specific mix variations to offer greater flexibility during the editing process. Common mix variations include:
Full Mix: The complete track as you originally produced it.
No Drums: A version without percussion, useful for scenes where dialogue is key.
Vocal Variations: If your track includes vocals, provide both the version with vocals and an instrumental version.
Underscore Mix: An underscore mix is a modified version of a track designed to serve as subtle background music. It supports dialogue or visuals without being overly prominent.
For example, Viralnoise often sees success when producers include these mix variations. Their clients have used a full mix to maintain the original energy of a track, a no drums mix when dialogue takes precedence, and an underscore mix to set a gentle background mood in commercials or dramatic scenes.
By adhering to these guidelines and offering the necessary mix variations, you make it easier for music editors to integrate your work into TV shows, films, commercials, and online media—ultimately increasing your chances of earning ongoing royalties. These mix variations give editors and producers the flexibility to adapt your track perfectly to the needs of a scene, whether they’re aiming to build excitement or set a gentle mood.
Pro Tip!
When bouncing your music from your DAW, get into the habit of making these 5-6 different versions right away so you don’t have to come back later!
The Long-Term Benefits
By ensuring you’re registered with a PRO and submitting a diverse range of well-prepared tracks to reputable libraries, your music can generate income long after it’s produced. Here’s how this strategy pays off over time:
- Consistent Royalties: Every time your music is played, your PRO ensures you receive the royalties you’ve earned.
- Creative Growth: Expanding your catalog and experimenting with different genres and song structures not only broadens your placement opportunities but also makes you a more versatile producer and composer.
With this approach, your music becomes an asset that works for you day and night. Embrace this long-term strategy, and watch as your creations build a life of their own in the media world.
Stay tuned for more in-depth guides and examples on how to optimize your submissions and maximize your library placements!