You Have To Check This Out!

Published: Fri, 09/12/08

Hello ,

Over the last few years of learning how to make money by licensing my music for use in TV and Film I've acquired a lot of knowledge about the the licensing business and how it works.  When I started pursuing licensing and publishing opportunities six years ago I was completely clueless as to how to get started.  There were no programs or guides (at least that I knew of) on how to get started.  I didn't know who to contact, what to say, what kind of music was needed, etc...  Succeeding required doing a lot of research, knocking on a lot of doors and a lot of hard work. 
The majority of people I work with and who I correspond with have nothing but positive things to say about what I'm doing with regards to educating others about the licensing business.  But every once in a while I get an email or a phone call from someone who wants to know why I'm helping others get started in this business.  They want to know if I'm afraid that I'm just creating more competition for myself.  I don't look at it this way at all.  In fact I first learned about music licensing from several of my professors at Berklee College of Music who were also licensing their own music. 

One of these professors later went on to establish her own publishing company and over the years has licensed dozens of her own songs and placed thousands of other songwriters songs.  Do you think she was worried about creating more competition for herself?  I don't think she saw it this way at all.  What she was doing was developing a powerful network of relationships with many talented up and coming songwriters.  Many of whom she would later go on to work with professionally (including me). I don't drop specific names, and she actually retired recently anyway, but I think you get the point. 
 
The music licensing business has always been driven by songs and the songwriters who write them.  And the songwriters who are the most knowledgeable about the business and what opportunities exist will have the most success.  So I don't worry about the extra competition I'm creating.  I'm happy to educate others about this business and it actually makes me feel good when others succeed in part because of information I imparted.  I totally believe in social karma and the idea that what comes around goes around.  It's always been my experience that the more you give the more that comes back to you! I feel very blessed that I was able to go to a school like Berklee, which isn't cheap by any stretch of the imagination.  I was fortunate that my parents were willing and able to help me get such a great education.

But the fact is you don't have to go to a school like Berklee to succeed in the music industry.  You certainly don't need a degree to write a great song and NO ONE will ever ask you where you went to school when you're trying to license your music or trying to get a record deal, that I can promise you! But you do need to know how the business works and you need to network with the right people.  This was probably the most beneficial aspect of attending Berklee for me.

As you may already know, I offer a program on the music licensing business called "The A-Z Of Music Licensing".  I created this program about a year ago based on everything I've learned about the music licensing and music publishing business.  I walk you through the exact steps I took to get started and I show you how you can do the same.  I also cover the technical side of the industry, I go over things like how you get paid, how copyrighting works, how to present yourself professionally, how to record music on a budget and much, much more! The program also comes with an updated directory of WHO to send your music to.  There are over 130 listings for publishers, supervisors, music libraries, etc...  I've heard nothing but good things about my program.  Here are just a few of the actual emails I've received from people who purchased "The A-Z Of Music Licensing":

Aaron,
How are you?  My name is Tim Byrd and I purchased your online version of your program.  It's great. 
Hello Aaron.
I just ordered and downloaded your audio files and .pdf files and though I haven't put in effect any of your ideas, I see where you are headed.
I think this is some wonderful information and will soon be using it.

Hello Aaron,
I sent you an email a few weeks ago asking about your thoughts of pitching my music ( Mostly Blues & Jazz ....But also Guitar instrumentals, folk, French cabaret, Christmas and some Traditional Country )and actually making any money at the library thing. Your reply was that these genres were not yours and you couldn't really comment on that domain .
 
I appreciated your honest answer and went ahead and bought your repertoire of libraries, publishers etc...
Well here's the lowdown after 3 weeks of hard work sending emails and submitting songs online and via CD by mail.
 
I've signed deals for 27 songs and there's another 60 or so that are being screened as I write this email....
 
Out of all the addresses I've checked so far there wasn't ONE library that I knew ( that's good ), because through the other independent company I was a member of I had made connections with about 10 libraries and have signed in less than a year about 100 songs with companies in L.A., Texas, U.K. etc.and had one placement on The Everybody Hates Chris TV Show....So a total of 127 + songs...And 60 + in waiting...
Mike
Hey Aaron,
I thought I would pass on to you the fact that I also got my whole catalogue (47 tunes) signed to one of the libraries in your directory.
Thanks for your help!
Colin

Hey Aaron,
I'm in the process of signing two songs to a publishers thanks to your info!  Thank you!!
Stacy

hi aaron,
thanks for all your info and directory.  such a great help!
Tracy

Thank YOU!!!
I must say I find your products extremely helpful....keep it up!!!
Tammy Hunt

Great, inspiring information....exactly what I was looking for in regards to publishing and the like.  Much appreciated!!
Brian Thunberg

Yesterday I purchased your Film/TV directory and I must say it is a whole lot  different from "Song Writers Market" book.  It's great! 
Mark

Hey Aaron,
I did purchase your 'A-Z of music licensing and  the directory. I think they are great!
Mike

I have several different versions of the program.  The material is the same in all of them, but I have both a hard copy and online version, and I also have different coaching services that are bundled with the program.  Here are the different versions I offer:

1) The A-Z Of Music Licensing Hard Copy With Phone And Email Coaching - This version comes with both the hard copy of the program as well as additional coaching from me both via the phone and email.  I only have ten hard copies left of the program and after that I'm going to be offering the program strictly as a digital product. I'm currently offering this package at the lowest price I've ever offered it at.  Get the program with coaching for only $89.99.   Once the hard copies are gone the offer is gone:(   Get the package here!

2) The A-Z Of Music Licensing Hard Copy - Get the A-Z Of Music Licensing hard copy version by itself.  Again, while quantities last.  $65.00 - Get The Program Here!

3) The A-Z Of Music Licensing Online Edition With Email Coaching - This is my newest package.  It has the A-Z Of Music Licensing in an online format bundled with additional coaching via email.  This is great if you want extra support but can't afford the phone coaching package.  I'll answer your follow up questions and give advice and feedback via email. $49.99  Get the online version with email coaching  here!

4) The A-Z Of Music Licensing Online Edition - And finally I offer the A-Z Of Music Licensing in an online format by itself.  Access the program immediately online. $40.00 Get the online version here!

Ok, I that's it for now.  I think this is the longest one of these emails I've ever typed!  Time for a coffee and guitar playing break....

Happy Songwriting!
Aaron Davison