Are you doing everything you can to successfully license your music in TV and films? Are you achieving the sort of success you've always dreamed of or are you still struggling to get your music heard by the right people and ultimately sold to the right people? Today let's look at three things you can focus on that, together, will exponentially increase your odds of achieving the sort of success you're seeking.

 

1) Write And Produce Better Music - It all starts with the music. So, before you worry about anything else make sure that your music meets the sort of standards that are required to be successfully licensed in the first place. Just what sort of standards must your music meet? If you've been following me for long, you'll know that I've already written extensively about this topic. But the short answer is that you need to write great, well produced songs. "Great songs" are somewhat subjective, but "well produced" is much more objective. Compare your songs to other songs that have been successfully licensed. How do your songs stand up? Have a few different peple listen. Music publishers and supevisors listen to lots of music, every single day. They can distinguish very quickly between great and mediocre production. Make sure that you are able to as well so that you are only submiting music that is "broadcast quality" and ready to be used as is.

 

2) Submit Your Music To A Lot Of Places - Success in the music business is a numbers game. The more places and people you submit your music to the better the chances that you'll connect with someone who really appreciates your music and who will be eager to help you promote it. We've all heard stories about famous musicians who were rejected repeatedly before they got their "big break". Rejection happens a lot in the music licensing business and much of it has nothing to do with the music. Sometimes your music simply won't be a good fit for the person you are submitting to. The needs of those you are pitching to are constantly changing so don't get discouraged if you're being turned down simply because your music isn't a good fit. On the other hand, if your'e getting feedback about things you need to do to improve about your music, take it for what it's worth. Try not to take constructive criticism too personally. In my experience people in this business tend to not be gentle with their critiques. They're not usually as bad as Simon Cowell, but it's hard to sugarcoat some criticism. If something needs worked on, it needs worked on. If you're getting the same sort of advice repeatedly it's probably worth investigating.

 

3) Research Projects - In order to increase your chances of success even more, take the extra step of researching projects that need music so that you can more accurately pitch your music to the right people at the right time. Call supervisors and publishers and ask them what they're working on currently. Some will tell you and some won't. Forget about the ones that won't and focus on the ones that will. Demonstrate that you're sensitive to the needs of those you are working with and that you're not just out to further your own career. Sometimes as musicians we can get very focused on our own goals and have a tendency to become overly self absorbed. The music business, like any business, is a vast network of people, who each have their own individual needs, desires and frustrations. Try to help other people meet their needs and realize their goals and you'll find it becomes much easier to meet your own needs and realize your own goals.