How to Get Your First Sync License: A Complete Guide

Getting your music placed in a film, TV show, commercial, or video game is one of the most lucrative opportunities available to independent musicians. A single sync placement can pay anywhere from $500 to $50,000 or more, depending on the project. And unlike streaming royalties that trickle in over months, sync fees are often paid upfront as a lump sum.

But breaking into sync licensing can feel intimidating if you have never done it before. This guide covers everything you need to know to land your first placement, from understanding how the business works to preparing your catalog and pitching effectively. It is part of our sync licensing series, and you can estimate potential fees using our sync licensing fee calculator.

What Is Sync Licensing?

A sync license (short for synchronization license) grants permission to use a piece of music alongside visual media. The term "synchronization" refers to the act of syncing audio to picture. Whenever you hear a song in a movie, TV show, commercial, YouTube video, video game, or even a podcast with video, a sync license was involved.

How Sync Deals Are Structured

Every sync placement involves two separate licenses:

If you are an independent artist who wrote the song and owns the master recording, you control both licenses. This is a significant advantage because music supervisors love "one-stop shops" where they can clear both rights with a single contact. It makes their job easier and speeds up the licensing process.

Types of Sync Placements

Film: Feature films, independent films, documentaries, and short films. Fees range from $1,000 to $100,000+ for major features.

Television: Network shows, cable series, streaming originals (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon). Fees range from $500 to $50,000 depending on the show's budget and the placement type (background, featured, or title sequence).

Advertising: TV commercials, online ads, brand content. Commercial placements are often the highest-paying, ranging from $5,000 to $500,000+ for national campaigns.

Video games: Game trailers, in-game music, and menu screens. Fees range from $2,000 to $50,000.

Trailers and promos: Movie trailers and TV promos. These are often high-paying because of the exposure involved.

Use our sync licensing fee calculator to estimate potential earnings based on placement type and media reach.

Preparing Your Catalog for Sync

Before you pitch a single song, your catalog needs to be sync-ready. Music supervisors work under tight deadlines, and anything that slows down the clearance process will cost you the placement.

Clear All Rights

Every sample, interpolation, or uncleared element in your track is a dealbreaker. Music supervisors will not touch songs with unclear rights because it exposes the production to legal risk.

Create Instrumentals and Stems

Music supervisors frequently need instrumentals, and sometimes they need individual stems (vocals, drums, bass, etc.) to fit the music to a scene.

For every track in your sync catalog, prepare:

Label and organize these files clearly. A music supervisor downloading your stems at 2 AM should not have to guess which file is the drum track.

Metadata and Organization

Professional metadata makes you easy to work with:

Audio Quality

Submit music at professional quality:

Sync Licensing Companies vs. DIY

You have two main paths to sync placements:

Working with Sync Licensing Companies

Sync licensing companies (also called sync agents or sync representatives) pitch your music to supervisors on your behalf. They have established relationships with music supervisors and production companies that take years to build.

How it works:

Explore our sync licensing companies directory to find companies that match your genre and career level.

Pros:

Cons:

Pitching Directly (DIY)

You can also pitch your music directly to music supervisors, filmmakers, and content creators.

Pros:

Cons:

For most independent artists, a combination of both approaches works best. Submit to sync companies for access to bigger opportunities, and pitch directly for smaller projects where you can build relationships.

Pitching Tactics That Work

Research Before You Pitch

Never send a blind pitch. Before reaching out to a music supervisor or licensing company:

Craft a Professional Pitch Email

Keep it short and professional. Music supervisors are busy and get hundreds of emails daily.

Subject line: Clear and specific. "Indie folk tracks for consideration - sync ready, one-stop clearance" is better than "Check out my music!"

Body:

What NOT to do:

Respond to Sync Briefs

Sync briefs are requests from music supervisors for specific types of music. They describe the mood, genre, tempo, and feel they are looking for. You can find briefs through:

When responding to a brief, match the description exactly. If they ask for "upbeat indie pop, female vocal, 120 BPM," do not send a slow acoustic ballad.

Understanding Sync Contracts

Key Terms to Know

Sync fee: The upfront payment for the use of your music. This is negotiable.

Term: How long the license is valid. It could be for a specific number of years, in perpetuity (forever), or for the life of the production.

Territory: Where the content will be distributed. A worldwide license costs more than a single-territory license.

Media: What platforms the content will appear on (theatrical, broadcast, streaming, online, etc.). Broader media rights cost more.

Exclusivity: Whether the placement is exclusive (no one else can license the song for a similar use during the term) or non-exclusive.

Negotiation Tips

Backend Royalties from Sync Placements

Beyond the upfront sync fee, placements generate ongoing royalties:

Performance royalties: When your music airs on TV or in a film shown in theaters, your PRO collects performance royalties. A song featured in a popular TV series can generate thousands in PRO royalties over years of reruns and international broadcasts. Make sure you are registered with a PRO.

Cue sheets: Productions file cue sheets that document every piece of music used, including duration and placement type. Your PRO uses these to calculate and distribute performance royalties. Always verify that your songs are accurately listed on cue sheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much can I realistically earn from my first sync placement?

First placements for independent artists typically range from $500 to $5,000 for the combined sync and master fees. Student films and web series may offer less (or nothing), but they provide portfolio-building experience. Larger placements in network TV or national commercials pay significantly more. Estimate your potential with our sync licensing fee calculator.

Q: Do I need a publisher to get sync placements?

No, but having a sync agent or licensing company representing you dramatically increases your chances. As an independent artist who controls both publishing and master rights, you are actually more attractive to supervisors because licensing is simpler.

Q: What genres are most in demand for sync?

Indie folk, indie pop, ambient/atmospheric, hip-hop, and electronic music are consistently in high demand. However, every genre has sync opportunities. Supervisors need everything from classical to heavy metal depending on the project.

Q: Can I still stream my music if it is in a sync catalog?

Yes. Non-exclusive sync deals allow your music to remain on all streaming platforms. Even exclusive sync agreements typically only restrict other sync uses, not general distribution.

Q: How long does it take to get a sync placement?

Building sync income takes time. Most artists spend 6 to 18 months submitting and networking before landing their first placement. Consistency and a growing catalog improve your odds over time.

Take Your First Step into Sync

Sync licensing is a marathon, not a sprint. Start by getting your catalog sync-ready with instrumentals, clean metadata, and clear ownership. Then choose whether to submit to sync companies, pitch directly, or both.

The artists who succeed in sync are the ones who treat it as a long-term business strategy, not a one-time lottery ticket. Build relationships, keep creating music that fits visual media, and stay organized.

Next Steps: