Custom Sync Royalty for Indie Artists

Custom Sync Royalty for Indie Artists.

If an indie artist has a designated publisher, there is a better chance to score synch deals because publishers mostly chase synch deal opportunities for the writers and catalogues they represent. However, you can also pursue these opportunities yourself. I have written about this in detail in my blog Sync Royalty for Indie Artists. It is noteworthy that clients that bring in the biggest synch business are video production studios, advertising agencies, big corporations, video game studios etc. Certain publishers focus solely on scoring synch deals from such clients. Some work on an exclusive basis for single tracks, or on a non-exclusive basis for total catalogues. In any case, as soon as a synch is scored, both typically claim exclusivity on a track.

Royalty earned from a sync deal forms a large part of an artist’s income. Every artist should make sure that the publisher that they have signed with actively pursues synch opportunities, in order to maximize your income. In case you are handling your own music publishing, increase your odds by uploading your catalogue to multiple non-exclusive synch publishers. Try to maintain personal relationship with them. If the quality of your music is good and you have a decent size catalogue, registered and labelled correctly, getting business is inevitable. Uploading instrumental versions of all your music is quite helpful, as almost 75% of all synchs are instrumentals. You may also independently offer your catalogue to the music supervisors of the clients mentioned before, to increase opportunities for a sync deal. Working with someone who has earned a name in the industry, especially someone who is known for the quality of music, is good for your reputation.

Synchronization of Custom Music

Sometimes a client demands certain kind of music that is tailor-made for a specific requirement. A good publisher is often able to get this kind of assignment for you, from a sync agent. In the initial stages of your career, you may also be ‘hired’ to make this kind of music, however, in this case, the copyrights will be owned by the employer. The royalties earned from custom synch are as lucrative as traditional synchs. They can be a source of big money.

Creating custom music is an interesting and specific skill. The predisposition of songwriters and electronic music producers makes them really good at it. Most of them believe that it is a breath of fresh air; inspirational break from a typical music artist routine. Crafting demand-specific music gets better with time, just like any other art form. If you feel this is what you want to do, try to develop a niche based network. This will eventually get you more sync opportunities. Remember that custom synchs opportunities and traditional synch opportunities both come from the same parties- synch agents, publishers and music supervisors of production companies for games and videos

I cannot emphasise enough on the benefits of getting a publisher for your music. Here is one more reason- partnering up with a publisher that specializes in custom sync deals will inevitably bring you fresh deals because of the publisher’s contacts in the industry. Indie artists and publishers mostly have their public performance rights represented by a ‘Performing Rights Society (PRS)’. I have written about this in detail in my blog Benefits of Licensing Indie Music. It is advisable for indie artists to sign up with a PRS directly, along with being affiliated with a publisher that is signed up with one. This is very helpful in maximizing income from public performance royalty. Proactively register your repertoire with the PRS and make sure that the publisher has done the same too. While it is the publisher’s responsibility to keep track of dates of pay-outs, you should also have a list of broadcasts in which your music has been made public. This is going to help when you want to check whether all of these have been accounted for. If not, inform your publisher and PRS.

A typical synch opportunity is a short-term project; as short as 48-72 hours from assignment to delivery. This means, creating this music has to be incredibly quick and within set guidelines. They also demand the artist’s flexibility to create edits if and when required. This implies necessity of swift and professional communication.

In my next blog I am going to write about maximizing income from custom sync deals and YouTube monetization. Please share your experiences in the comments section and I will add them in my future blogs.

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