I've been writing this newsletter for over three years now, and if you've been on my email list that long you'll know that I have dispensed tons of useful advice about the music licensing business.  I've covered a lot of ground and I've given you a lot of useful advice about how to get your music in TV and Films.   But today I want to talk about why you should license your music, as opposed to how. 

You see, I think in many ways we are probably a lot alike.  We have a common bond, which is the love of making music.  I have been writing songs and playing guitar for over twenty years.  It is without a doubt the longest relationship I have had in my life, with the exception of the relationship I have with my parents and sibling.  I developed a love for music and making music at a very young age.  When I heard certain songs it would evoke emotions that would seem to transport me to another realm.  It was magical and I decided very early on that I wanted to be a part of that process and make music that would effect other people the same way.

As I've gotten older I've held onto that dream.  Albeit the dream has changed and evolved over the years, but the basic goal is the same, to make music that moves other people.  I assume this your basic goal as well.  To make music that other people enjoy.  Oh, and I assume you want to get paid for your music as well, I know I do.

Music licensing is a great business because whatever your goals are and whatever stage you are at in your career it will help you move forward.  It will also help you get a sense of how the music industry works and what kinds of songs are marketable.  It's competitive, but it's a lot easier to break into than the recording industry.  In fact, I think it's an attainable goal for you and every single person on my list.  I really believe that.  I don't think that all of my subscribers will be successful in licensing their music, but they could be and you could be too if you understood and took the necessary steps. 

If you've been on my list and you've been reading my emails, I hope you've been following my advice and taking some of the steps I've been suggesting.  I frequently get emails from people who are on my list or have bought one of my products that have successfully licensed their music or have successfully placed their music with a production library and are on their way to success.  I love reading those emails, so please keep them coming!

Music licensing is a great way to earn extra money from your music, but for me, it´s not really about the money at all.  Making money from music is nice, no doubt about it. But to be honest, I can think of many easier ways to make money than from music licensing, or from the music business in general.

I've done a lot of interesting things in my life.  I've jumped out of airplanes.  I've traveled extensively.  I've fallen in love.  I've performed for thousands of people.  And I've heard my songs on national television multiple times.  The first time I heard my music on TV still ranks up there as one of my proudest accomplishments.  It's very exhilarating to hear your music being broadcast into millions of people´s homes live, in real time. I get shivers up and down my spine just thinking about it.

If you've been attempting to license your music and you've yet to succeed I encourage you to keep going.  Many people give up in life right before they could have achieved success. The author Seth Godin describes this as the dip.  It´s the point when most people give up. The last thing you want to do is to invest a ton of time and energy into something and then give up when success is right around the corner. It´s a waste of time and energy.  So don't let that happen to you. I know how frustrating this business can be at times, but every step forward and every accomplishment makes all the frustration worthwhile.