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, including my own. 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).
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.
After Berklee I continued to network with other musicians. When I first started recording songs with the specific goal of licensing them for use in TV and Film I was broke. I definitely fit the stereotype of the struggling artist. I was making enough to get by but I had very little extra money to spend on things like gear, recording equipment or studio time. My perceived lack of resources held me back for quite awhile. But it was actually the person who ended up becoming my publisher, and a mentor of sorts, that helped me think about my situation differently. She encouraged me to develop relationships with other people who had what I lacked in order to help each other move forward.
For example I met several people who were willing to help me record and produce my songs for free in exchange for a percentage of money I earned from the songs. This helped the producers earn extra money and one of them in particular ended up getting his own publishing deal through the connection he ended up making with my publisher. Through our relationship and working together I got free studio time, he earned extra money, he got a deal with my publisher and my publisher found an extra songwriter to work with. This is what Stephen Covey, the author of the "Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People" describes as a "win-win" relationship.
I have worked out similar deals with background vocalists and lead vocalists as well who were willing to sing on my recordings in exchange for building their resume and a very nominal back end percentage. There are many different ways to be resourceful to get things done. I have met many of the people I've worked with and have become friends with over the years by simply posting or responding to ads on Craigslist. If you live in or near any decent size city you will find that there are no shortage of people who are also looking to make connections and collaborate.
No man is an island. Connect with the right people and you'll find it much more easy to move forward.
Comment on my blog here:
http://www.howtolicenseyourmusic.com/blog/the-power-of-building-a-network
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 based on over ten years of experience working in 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 2,600 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 offer the program both with and without coaching:
The A-Z Of Music Licensing (without coaching) - The original program on music licensing that includes The 2014 TV and Film Music Business Directory, A Songwriter's Guide To Music Licensing Ebook, How To Audio Program,Three Audio Interviews with music licensing professionals, sample contracts and much more! The entire program is accessible online upon checkout.
$39.97 - More info: http://www.howtolicenseyourmusic.com/the-a-to-z-of-music-licensing.php
The A-Z Of Music Licensing With Phone And Email Coaching - The A To Z Of Music Licensing with additional coaching via both phone and email. You'll get a one on one half hour phone consultation, as well as additional coaching via email.
Normally just $99.97, just $69.97 this week only - More info:
http://www.howtolicenseyourmusic.com/the-a-to-z-of-music-licensing-with-coaching.php
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