In the world of sync licensing, music supervisors are the decision-makers. They’re the ones who choose what songs end up in television shows, movies, trailers, ads, and video games. For artists trying to break into sync, it’s tempting to think that the secret is just getting your song in front of the right supervisor. But placements rarely come from
one-off emails or cold submissions. The real success happens when you build genuine, ongoing relationships with the people who do this work every day.
When supervisors know you, trust your professionalism, and believe in the quality of your music, they’re much more likely to reach out to you when they need something. That’s where the long-term opportunity lies. Instead of hoping someone discovers your song by chance, you can become a go-to resource for supervisors who already
know your music is sync-ready and emotionally effective. But like any real relationship, this takes time, patience, and a thoughtful approach.
Understand Their World
If you want to build a relationship with someone, you’ve got to understand their reality. Music supervisors are under intense pressure. They’re often working on multiple projects at once, dealing with deadlines, directors, producers, and legal teams. They’re expected to deliver
the perfect song that matches the emotion of a scene, fits within the creative vision, and clears quickly and affordably. Every decision they make is scrutinized, and there’s rarely enough time to dig through endless submissions.
That’s why it’s so important to respect their time and see things from their perspective. They don’t want to be spammed with tracks that don’t fit the tone of their projects. They don’t want follow-up emails every two days asking if they’ve listened
yet. They want artists who are professional, prepared, and understand that their job is about supporting a bigger picture. The more you can speak their language and anticipate their needs, the more likely they are to remember you when the right moment comes.
Take the time to actually watch the shows they’ve worked on. Listen to the kinds of songs they place. Are they using cinematic acoustic ballads? Upbeat indie rock? Sparse, haunting ambient textures? When you reach out,
referencing something specific from their work shows that you’ve done your homework and that you’re not just another person trying to get noticed.
Be Professional and Easy to Work With
When it comes to sync licensing, professionalism doesn’t just mean having good music. It means having your business in order. That includes knowing exactly who owns your songs, having clean metadata, having instrumental versions of your tracks ready, and being
responsive when someone asks for something. You don’t need a manager or a team to do this. You just need to be organized and consistent.
Music supervisors love working with artists who make their job easier. If they ask for a lyric-free version and you can deliver it instantly, that’s a win. If they request a high-quality WAV file and you know exactly where it is, you become someone they trust. Supervisors don’t have time to chase people down for missing files or worry about
whether a track is going to get flagged later due to rights issues. If you prove that you’re reliable from day one, that trust carries forward.
You also want to communicate clearly and respectfully. Keep your emails short, to the point, and focused on the music. Avoid hype or pressure. Instead, let the music speak for itself and show that you understand how sync works. That alone will set you apart from the majority of artists who are still winging
it.
Focus on Value, Not Just Exposure
A lot of musicians approach music supervisors with the mindset of “I want you to hear my music.” That’s understandable, but it’s not always effective. What supervisors are really looking for is music that helps them solve a problem. They need songs that elevate a scene, match a mood, and clear quickly. If you can provide that, you become a valuable asset instead of just another person asking for a
break.
That shift in perspective changes everything. Instead of pitching your latest single because you want it placed, start by asking yourself which of your songs actually sound like something they’d use. If a supervisor works on a gritty crime drama, don’t send a bubblegum pop track just because it’s your newest release. Think about what they need, and send music that fits. When you consistently offer music that helps them do their job better, you become someone they want
to keep hearing from.
A great example of this is how the band Fialta built relationships with multiple music supervisors by consistently sending tracks that matched the tone of the shows and brands those supervisors were working with. Over time, their music was used in campaigns for Chipotle, Target, and PBS, all because they focused on creating songs that worked well in visual storytelling, rather than chasing placement for the sake of
exposure.
How to Find Music Supervisors and Effectively Network
To build relationships with music supervisors, you first have to find them. There are several ways to do this, and the best strategies often combine research, networking, and positioning yourself in the right places.
Start with IMDb Pro. You can look up specific shows and films and see who the music supervisor was. This is especially helpful if you write in a
particular style and want to target supervisors who already work with music like yours. From there, look them up on LinkedIn, social media, or through directories focused on sync licensing professionals. Many music supervisors work independently or for boutique agencies and often have a small online footprint, so some digging may be required.
One of the best ways to connect with supervisors is through warm introductions. If you know someone who has worked with a supervisor
before, see if they’d be willing to introduce you. This carries far more weight than a cold email. Even a casual referral from someone they trust can open the door.
You can also meet supervisors at industry events. Look for sync-focused panels, film festivals, music conferences, and networking events. Events like the Guild of Music Supervisors Conference or SXSW often have supervisor panels where you can hear them speak and possibly meet them afterward. These moments are not
about hard pitching. They’re about starting genuine conversations, asking smart questions, and being memorable for the right reasons.
Another strategy is to join professional organizations that include music supervisors as members. This includes groups like the Production Music Association, AIMP, and various sync-focused Facebook and Discord groups. When you become part of these communities and show up consistently, you start to build credibility over
time.
When you do reach out directly, personalize your messages. Mention a project they’ve worked on that you admire. Keep your email short and respectful, include a streaming link to one or two tracks that match their vibe, and let them know you’re happy to send more if they’re interested. And if they don’t respond? That’s normal. Stay patient and stay on their radar in a non-intrusive way by following up occasionally with new music that is actually relevant to their
world.
Be Patient and Consistent
Relationships in this industry don’t develop overnight. You might send an email and not hear back for six months. That doesn’t mean the door is closed. In fact, many supervisors will save music for future projects, and when the right scene comes along, they’ll remember the artist who reached out with the right energy and the right tone. That’s why patience is essential.
You can build trust
slowly by showing up consistently, staying in touch every few months, and sharing new music when it feels relevant. It’s also a good idea to show that you’re active and continuing to grow. If you get a placement or release a new album, share that with the people you’ve contacted in the past. Not to brag, but to stay on their radar in a way that feels authentic.
The artists who end up getting placed again and again aren’t always the ones with the biggest followings. They’re
often the ones who stayed consistent, kept improving their craft, and kept showing up even when it felt like nothing was happening. When you play the long game, it pays off in ways you can’t always predict.
Final Thoughts
Building long-term relationships with music supervisors isn’t about gaming the system or trying to charm your way into a placement. It’s about becoming a trusted creative partner. It’s about understanding the pressures
they’re under, respecting their time, and consistently delivering high-quality music that fits the projects they’re working on.
This industry is built on relationships. When you show up with the right energy, the right songs, and the right mindset, you start planting seeds that can grow into real opportunities. It might take time, but when a supervisor reaches out to you directly because they trust your work, it makes all the effort
worthwhile.
