Myth: More Submissions Equals Faster Results

So, you wanna get your music into TV shows, movies, or commercials, right? Sweet!

But let’s be real, the whole “sync licensing” thing can feel like trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphics after a couple of beers. Especially when you start hearing advice like, “Just send them everything!”

The “More is More” Trap

You’re probably thinking, “If I just throw a bunch of songs at every single sync library out there, surely one of them will stick, right?”

It’s a tempting thought, I get it. Like tossing spaghetti at the wall to see what’s edible.

But here’s the kicker: that’s not really how sync works, and it can actually hurt your chances.

• Quality over Quantity: Sync librarians are drowning in music. Curated, well-pitched music stands out.
• Targeted Approach: Sending the right song to the right sync library with the right metadata is key.
• Damaged Reputation: Bombarding sync libraries can label you as an amateur, closing doors for future submissions.
• Wasted Effort: Your time is valuable. Focus on making your submissions count, not just happen.
• Better Placement: Strategic submissions lead to more meaningful placements, not just random cuts.

In the realm of music content creation, a common misconception is that submitting more work leads to quicker results. This myth can often lead to frustration and burnout among artists. For a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play, you can explore the article titled “The Truth About Music Submissions” on That Pitch, which delves into the importance of quality over quantity in submissions. To read more, visit this article.

So, What’s the Deal with Sync Licensing, Anyway?

Imagine you’re a librarian, but instead of books, you’re looking after thousands and thousands of songs. Producers and music supervisors are your patrons, and they’re on tight deadlines. They need a specific vibe, a certain energy, or a particular instrumentation for their project.

They’re not browsing aimlessly. They’re searching.

The Sync Librarian’s Day

Their inbox is likely overflowing. Every day, they get pitches from artists, managers, and labels, all hoping their track will be the perfect fit.

If they open a submission and it’s a giant zip file with 50 unorganized songs of varying quality, what do you think they do? Yep, they probably close it. Fast.

Metadata is Your Friend (Seriously!)

This is where the magic happens. Think of metadata as the breadcrumbs that lead the sync librarian to your perfect song. It’s the genre, mood, instrumentation, tempo, keywords, and even the lyric themes.

Without good metadata, your amazing song is like a needle in a haystack. A haystack that’s on fire.

Myth Busted: More Submissions = Faster Results

Let’s dive into why this “more is more” mindset is actually a myth.

The “Spray and Pray” Approach

This is the strategy of sending every song you’ve ever recorded to every sync library you can find, without much thought.

It feels proactive, right? Like you’re covering all your bases.

Why it Backfires

Sync libraries are looking for specific things. If you send them a dark, industrial track when they’re looking for upbeat indie pop, it’s a non-starter.

And if they get that from you multiple times, they start to recognize your name (or your email).

Sure, here is the sentence with the clickable link:

You can read this article to learn about common myths about sync licensing timelines.

The Importance of Curation

This is where the real power lies. Instead of just pushing music out, you’re carefully selecting which music goes, where it goes, and how it’s presented.

It’s like being a chef curating a tasting menu versus a cafeteria worker slapping whatever on a tray.

Curating Your Catalog

Not every song you’ve ever written is sync-ready. Some are personal triumphs, some are just jamming. Sync is about music that serves a purpose for a visual.

Think about the kinds of shows or movies you watch. What kind of music is used? Does your catalog fit that vibe?

The Art of the Pitch

A good pitch isn’t just the song; it’s the thought behind it. It’s knowing that your chillwave instrumental is perfect for a montage in a coming-of-age indie film, and you’re sending it to a sync library that specializes in that kind of content.

This takes research, but oh boy, is it worth it.

In the world of music synchronization, many creators believe that submitting their work to multiple platforms will yield quicker results, but this is often a misconception. A related article discusses the intricacies of understanding music synchronization rights and how a strategic approach can be more beneficial than sheer volume. For those interested in learning more about this topic, you can read the article on music synchronization rights to gain insights that could enhance your submission strategy.

Understanding Sync Library Niches

Think of sync libraries like record stores, but for music supervisors. They don’t carry everything.

Some specialize in cinematic orchestral scores. Others focus on gritty hip-hop beats. Some might even curate an entire sync library of quirky folk songs for quirky folk characters.

Research is Non-Negotiable

Before you hit send, do your homework. What kind of music does that sync library typically place? What are their listed genres and moods?

A quick scroll through their website or a look at their recent placements can tell you a lot.

Targeted Submissions

If you have a high-energy rock track that sounds like it belongs in a skate video, don’t send it to a sync library that’s known for ambient soundscapes.

Send it to the sync library that grooves on that kind of energy.

The Power of Submitting Quality Over Quantity

Let’s get down to brass tacks. What does “quality” mean in the sync world?

It’s not just about how well your song is mixed or mastered (though that’s important!).

Professional Presentation

This means having your songs tagged properly with accurate metadata. It means having clean audio files. It means having a clear understanding of what makes your music fit a brief.

Are your tracks instrumentals only? Do they have prominent vocals? What’s the energy level?

The Right Song, Right Place, Right Time

This is the golden ticket. If you’ve got 10 songs, and 3 of them are perfectly aligned with what a particular sync library focuses on, submit those three.

That’s a smarter move than submitting all 10 if only 3 are a good fit.

Building Relationships, Not Burning Bridges

Sync librarians are people. They appreciate professionalism and thoughtful submissions.

If you bombard them with irrelevant music, you’re not building a relationship; you’re annoying them. And that’s a fast track to getting blacklisted.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Let’s talk about the missteps that might be holding you back.

Mistake 1: Sending Unfinished or Poorly Mixed Tracks

This is a biggie. Think of your music as a product being presented for sale. You wouldn’t offer a half-painted canvas, would you?

Fix: Polish Your Gems

Make sure your tracks are professionally mixed and mastered. Listen to them on different playback systems. Get feedback from trusted ears. Your music needs to sound its absolute best before it ever hits a sync library.

Mistake 2: Vague or Missing Metadata

“Upbeat song,” “cool instrumental.” Seriously, that’s like telling a chef you want “something edible.” Be specific.

Fix: Become a Metadata Master

Invest time in tagging your music. What’s the mood? Exciting, melancholic, suspenseful? What instruments are prominent? Guitar, synths, strings? What’s the tempo? Keywords are crucial too: driving, energetic, ambient, cinematic, electronic, acoustic. The more detailed and accurate your metadata, the easier it is for someone to find your song.

Mistake 3: Pitching the Wrong Genre to the Wrong Sync Library

Sending your death metal anthem to a sync library that specializes in nursery rhymes. Need I say more?

Fix: Strategic Research and Selection

Before you submit, spend time understanding each sync library’s niche. Look at their website, their catalog, and any sync licensing opportunities they highlight. Only submit what genuinely fits their needs. It’s better to make one perfect submission than a hundred off-target ones.

Mistake 4: Sending Too Many Tracks at Once

Imagine a librarian getting a single email with 100 attachments. Their eyes might glaze over before they even click.

Fix: Prioritize and Submit Strategically

If you have a large catalog, don’t dump it all in one go. Identify your strongest tracks that fit a sync library’s profile and submit them in batches. Some sync libraries have specific submission guidelines, so always check those. Better to send 5-10 perfect tracks that align with a sync library’s focus, rather than 50 that don’t.

Mistake 5: Not Understanding Sync licensing Types

While this is a broader sync topic, it often ties into submissions. If a sync library primarily handles non-exclusive sync, and you’re only open to exclusive, it’s a mismatch.

Fix: Know Your Goals and Their Model

Understand what kind of sync licensing the sync library specializes in. Are they exclusive or non-exclusive? Knowing this helps you align your expectations and submissions with their business model.

A Mini Case Study: Sarah’s “Chill Beats”

Let’s imagine Sarah, a talented electronic producer. She’d made about 30 tracks, a mix of ambient soundscapes, downtempo grooves, and some more energetic glitch-hop.

She’d heard the advice to “submit everywhere.” So, she zipped up all 30 tracks and sent them to a dozen different sync libraries. She got zero responses.

Sarah’s Revelation

Frustrated, she decided to take a different approach. She spent a week researching sync libraries that focused on electronic music, particularly those that placed music in documentaries and lifestyle vlogs.

She identified two sync libraries that seemed like a perfect fit for her ambient and downtempo tracks.

The Focused Approach

Sarah carefully listened to her 30 tracks and selected the 6 strongest ambient and downtempo pieces. She meticulously categorized them with detailed metadata: “calm,” “atmospheric,” “meditative,” “background,” “documentary,” “minimalist,” “electronic.”

She then curated a separate batch of her glitch-hop tracks for a different sync library that specialized in more urban and energetic placements.

The Results?

Within a month, one of the sync libraries she submitted her ambient tracks to sync licensed three of her songs for a popular travel documentary series. The other sync library placed one of her downtempo tracks in a lifestyle YouTube channel.

She didn’t get a placement from every submission, but her targeted approach yielded significant results with high-quality placements. She built a positive reputation with those sync libraries, and they were open to future submissions of hers.

Key Takeaways for Smarter Submissions

So, what’s the big takeaway from all this?

It really boils down to being smart, strategic, and professional.

Your Music Deserves to Be Heard By the Right People

Think of yourself as a curator of your own music. You have incredible talent, and the goal is to connect that talent with the opportunities where it will shine the brightest.

Respect the Process and the Professionals

Sync librarians are your gateway to these placements. Treat them with respect by submitting well-prepared, relevant music.

It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Sync licensing often takes time. Don’t get discouraged by a lack of immediate responses. Keep refining your catalog, improving your metadata, and researching sync libraries.

Your patience and persistence, combined with a smart strategy, will pay off.

Ready to stop throwing spaghetti and start making delicious sync dishes?

Create a free That Pitch account to distribute your music into real sync libraries and keep 100% of your earnings.

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FAQs

What is the myth about more submissions and faster results?

The myth suggests that submitting more of something will lead to faster results. In the context of the article, it refers to the belief that submitting more job applications will result in faster job offers.

Is there any truth to the myth?

No, there is no evidence to support the myth that more submissions lead to faster results. In fact, spamming job applications can have a negative impact on a candidate’s chances of getting hired.

What are the potential drawbacks of submitting more applications?

Submitting a high volume of applications can lead to a lower quality of applications, as candidates may not take the time to tailor their materials to each job. This can result in a lower chance of being selected for an interview.

What is a more effective approach to job applications?

A more effective approach is to focus on quality over quantity. Tailoring each application to the specific job and company, and networking to make connections within the industry, can lead to better results.

What are some tips for improving the job application process?

Some tips for improving the job application process include researching the company and role before applying, customizing the resume and cover letter for each application, and networking with professionals in the industry.