What Artists Should Do After Submission

So, you’ve sent your amazing track off to a sync library. High five! That’s a huge first step. But now what? Sitting back and twiddling your thumbs can feel a little… unproductive.

It’s Not Magic, It’s a Process

Think of it like this: you’ve planted a seed. Now you need to water it, give it some sun, and maybe even fend off a few pesky weeds. Sync licensing is the same. Submission is just the beginning.

TL;DR: What to Do After You Submit

• Don’t expect instant replies: Sync can take time.
• Keep promoting your music: Don’t let your submitted tracks gather dust.
• Analyze your submissions: What worked? What didn’t?
• Keep creating: The more you submit, the more chances you have.
• Network (gently): Be a good music citizen.

Let’s be real, waiting is hard. Especially when you’re excited about your music. But in the sync world, patience isn’t just a virtue; it’s a necessity.

Why the Long Wait?

The people reviewing your music are swamped. They’re listening to hundreds, if not thousands, of tracks. They’re also looking for very specific vibes for very specific projects. It’s not a quick “like” or “dislike” on social media.

The Sheer Volume of Music

Imagine being a curator at a massive art gallery, and every day, artists drop off a truckload of their work. You’ve got to find the perfect piece for a particular wall in a client’s mansion. It takes time to sift through it all.

The Nuances of Sync Needs

A producer might be looking for a track that’s “uplifting but slightly melancholic, with a driving beat, suitable for a car commercial featuring a family road trip.” That’s pretty specific, right? They might have a whole list of these intricate needs.

What NOT to Do While Waiting

Please, for the love of all things musical, don’t hound the sync library every other day. It doesn’t speed things up and it definitely doesn’t make you look professional.

Resist the Urge to Pester

Sending polite follow-ups are fine after a significant period (think months, not days), but constant emails or calls will likely have the opposite effect of what you intend. They might even blacklist you.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Sync deals can come through months, even a year or more, after a track is initially submitted. So, while you’re waiting for that TV show placement, your music is still out there, working for you.

Think Long-Term, Not Instant Gratification

Sync is a marathon, not a sprint. The music you submit today could land a gig next year. That’s the beauty of it – your catalog can keep earning for you over time.

After submitting their work, artists often wonder about the next steps to take in their creative journey. A related article that can provide valuable insights is titled “Understanding Sync License Costs,” which explores the financial aspects of licensing music for various media. This resource can help artists navigate the complexities of sync licensing and better prepare for potential opportunities that may arise after their submissions. For more information, you can read the article here: Understanding Sync License Costs.

Staying Active: Don’t Let Your Submitted Music Go Dormant

Just because you’ve given your track to a sync library doesn’t mean you should stop shouting about it from the rooftops. In fact, it’s the opposite. You should keep building its momentum.

Keep the Music Alive on Your Platforms

Continue to share your music on social media, playlists, and your website. This creates buzz and shows potential licensors that there’s interest in your work.

Social Media Shout-Outs

Post about your recently added tracks, share snippets, and politely mention that they are available for sync licensing. No need to be pushy, just informative.

Playlist Power

If your track is on Spotify or Apple Music, keep it featured on your artist playlists. This helps with organic discovery.

Engage with Your Existing Audience

Your fans are your biggest advocates. Keep them engaged, and they might just be the ones who share your music further, leading to unexpected sync opportunities.

Behind-the-Scenes Content

Share the story behind the song, your creative process, or even a blooper reel from recording. Authenticity resonates.

Leverage Your Own Network

Don’t forget your personal connections. Friends, fellow musicians, even your local coffee shop owner – you never know who might have a connection to someone in the media or advertising world.

Casual Mentions

Simply mentioning, “Oh yeah, I’ve got some of my instrumental tracks signed for sync licensing,” in a casual conversation can spark interest.

Analyzing Your Submissions: The Data is Your Friend

Once you’ve submitted a batch of tracks, it’s a great time to look back and see what’s happening. This isn’t about judging yourself; it’s about learning.

Track Your Submissions (Discreetly)

Keep a simple spreadsheet: track the sync library, the date of submission, the genre of the track, and any tags you used. This helps you remember where everything is.

The “Where Did I Send That?” Sheet

We’ve all been there. A spreadsheet prevents that panicked search months down the line.

Monitor Any Feedback (If Provided)

Some sync libraries might offer limited feedback. If they do, take it to heart. It’s gold, even if it stings a little.

Constructive Criticism is Key

“A bit too niche,” or “not the right instrumentation for our current needs,” are valuable insights.

Understanding Rejection (It’s Not Always Personal)

A rejection from a sync library isn’t a judgment on your talent. It’s often about a very specific need not being met at that moment.

“Not Right For Us Now” Means Exactly That

It doesn’t mean your music is bad. It means it wasn’t the perfect fit for their current projects or their existing catalog.

Please read this article for more information on what happens after you submit music for sync licensing.

Expanding Your Reach: The Art of the Follow-Up submission

Submitting is an ongoing effort. You shouldn’t just submit a few tracks and then stop. The more you submit, the more chances you create.

Regular Submission Cycles

Make it a habit to submit new music or even older, relevant tracks to sync libraries on a regular basis. Consistency is your friend here.

Treat it Like Releasing New Singles

Just as you’d plan a release every few months, plan your sync submissions too.

The Power of New Material

Always be creating. The freshest material often aligns best with current trends and needs within the sync world.

Fresh Vibes for Fresh Projects

Producers are always on the lookout for sounds that feel current and engaging.

Diversifying Your Submissions

Don’t just submit your most obvious tracks. Think about offering a variety of moods and genres.

The “What If” Tracks

Sometimes, those slightly less conventional tracks can be the ones that land the perfect, unexpected placement.

After submitting their work, artists often wonder about the next steps to take in their careers. One insightful resource that can help guide them is an article on how to monetize their music without relying on touring or viral fame. This piece offers practical strategies that can complement the efforts made during the submission process. For more information, you can read the article on making money from music. By exploring these options, artists can better navigate the post-submission landscape and find new avenues for success.

Navigating the Business Side: Understanding Your Deals

Once a sync placement happens, there’s usually a contract. This is where a lot of musicians get that “confused” feeling.

Reading the Fine Print (Seriously)

This is crucial. Understand what the sync license covers, for how long, and what your royalty splits will be.

The Rights and Royalties Dance

Know your publishing rights and your master rights. This determines how you get paid.

Working with Publishers and PROs

Make sure your music is registered with your Performing Rights Organization (like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC in the US). This is how you collect performance royalties.

PROs are Your Payday Partners

They collect royalties from radio play, TV broadcasts, and live performances.

Keeping Your Catalog Organized

As you get more placements, you’ll have more income streams. Keeping everything organized will save you a headache later.

The Sync Income Hub

Imagine a central place where you can see all your sync deals and earnings. That’s the goal.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to stumble when you’re new to sync. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for.

Pitfall 1: Submitting Unfinished or Poorly Mixed Tracks

This is a surefire way to get an instant “no.” Your music needs to sound professional.

Fix: Invest in Good Mixing and Mastering

Even if you can’t afford a top-tier engineer, aim for clarity, balance, and punch. Your track should sound as good as the music you hear on the radio.

Pitfall 2: Not Understanding Metadata and Tagging

This is how sync libraries find your music. If your tags are off, your track might never be discovered.

Fix: Be Meticulous with Your Tags

Think about keywords a music supervisor would use to search for your song. Think mood, genre, instrumentation, and even specific vibes (e.g., “driving,” “introspective,” “party”).

Pitfall 3: Overlooking the Importance of Instrumental Versions

Many sync placements are for background music, commercials, or trailers. They often need instrumental versions.

Fix: Always Provide Instrumental Mixes

If you have vocals, make sure you have a clean instrumental version available. A vocal-free mix is often essential for many sync opportunities.

Pitfall 4: Burning Bridges with Sync Libraries

A negative experience can close doors. A positive one can open them.

Fix: Maintain Professionalism at All Times

Even if you feel your music was unfairly rejected, be gracious. You might be submitting to them again in the future.

A Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Sync Journey

Sarah, an indie singer-songwriter, had a knack for crafting heartfelt folk-pop tunes. She’d been posting them online for years, getting a decent stream of likes, but never much income. A friend told her about That Pitch.

She decided to upload her first three singles, meticulously tagging them with keywords like “acoustic,” “storytelling,” “breakup,” “road trip,” and “cinematic.” She also made sure to have clean instrumental versions ready.

Months went by. She received a notification from a sync library: one of her tracks, “Desert Bloom,” was sync licensed for a short indie film about a cross-country journey. It wasn’t a blockbuster, but it was a placement! She got paid.

Encouraged, Sarah kept uploading new material. She noticed that her more melancholic, atmospheric tracks seemed to get more traction. She started focusing on those, and soon, another track was picked for a trailer for a popular streaming series. The fee was significantly higher this time. Sarah realized that by understanding her music’s strengths and how to present them, she was able to turn her passion into a tangible income stream.

Sarah’s Key Takeaways

• Good metadata is crucial: Her detailed tagging helped sync libraries find her music.
• Instrumental versions matter: Her “Desert Bloom” track was used as background music, and the instrumental version was key.
• Persistence pays off: She didn’t give up after the first submission.
• Analyze and adapt: She learned which types of her songs were more successful and leaned into that.

You’ve put in the work to create your music, and you’ve taken the brave step of submitting it. Now, it’s about managing your expectations, staying engaged, and continuously honing your approach. Sync licensing is a way for independent artists to get paid for their creations, and understanding this process is your roadmap to success.

Ready to get your music into real sync libraries and start earning? Create a free That Pitch account to distribute your music into 100+ of the world’s top sync libraries and keep 100% of your earnings.

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FAQs

1. What should artists do after submitting their work for consideration?

After submitting their work, artists should follow up with the organization or gallery to ensure that their submission was received. They should also be prepared to wait for a response and continue creating new work in the meantime.

2. How can artists prepare for potential feedback or rejection after submission?

Artists should mentally prepare themselves for potential feedback or rejection by reminding themselves that it is a normal part of the artistic process. They can also seek support from fellow artists or mentors to help them navigate any feedback they receive.

3. Should artists continue creating new work after submission?

Yes, artists should continue creating new work after submission. This not only keeps them productive and focused, but it also shows their dedication to their craft and their willingness to grow and evolve as an artist.

4. What steps can artists take to promote their submitted work while waiting for a response?

Artists can promote their submitted work by sharing it on their social media platforms, updating their website or portfolio, and reaching out to their network of contacts to generate interest and support for their work.

5. How can artists use the waiting period after submission to their advantage?

The waiting period after submission can be used by artists to explore new techniques, experiment with different mediums, or even start planning their next project. It can also be a time for self-reflection and introspection to gain new insights and inspiration for their art.