DO NOT SYNC: It Takes WAY Too Long (Reason 1 of 10)
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2023
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Three years ago when I began following you, I was pretty excited about the prospect of licensing my work for film and television. Surprisingly, the more I watched you videos, the more I realized that there was simply no way I was going to be able to churn out the volume of work necessary to translate that into a sustainable income. In January of this year, I decided to abandon my efforts with sync licensing. Once I made that decision, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.
I've now committed all of my time to my album releases, my fine art and my graphic design/video production business. I've made more money this year in two of those careers than in all previous years. My music career was not one of them. While my music is growing exponentially in popularity around the world, that popularity is NOT translating into a livable income. Not even close. My 9th album is slated for release in January 2024. It's not going to make me rich and I'm under no illusions that this is a path to wealth. However, I love making music enough to keep making it no matter how little money it generates. My music was never about money anyway, nor will it ever be. Sync licensing was a fun idea, but at 60 years of age, there simply isn't enough rocket sauce left to go around and, frankly, it was sucking the fun out of making music anyway.
Thank you for all your videos and thank you for THESE videos. It is a brave thing your doing, but a noble gesture, to be sure. I wish you all the success in ALL your endeavors.
-h
Bravo 👏!!!!!
So glad you made the right decision for yourself! If it's not fun, it's DEF not worth doing. Keep up the great work!
When you say "album releases" do you mean that you are producing albums for other artists and bands or something different?
The look on people's faces when you explain to them "it usually takes 9-12 months to see your royalties after a show plays" never stops being hilarious.
Thank you for being one of the only REAL voices in the industry. You’re a good person and you do this because you want to make a living AND you really care. I’m going to stay with it but take the expectations out of it. I love that it gives me reason to create music. However, it’s great to have info and understand the realities. Rock on.
As a rule of thumb in every business it’s 5 years to set a solid ground to start building up your career. Prob another 5 to consolidate any success you had. So, I‘m with you there Jess! I think people are generally way too naive when it comes to business stuff! I’m in my third year in sync with 8 library contracts, over 20 albums and over 100 individual tracks out there! On some library websites you can see how many times your tracks were downloaded. I looks very promising in my case! Money earned so far: worth my next shopping for snacks for my tv dinner 😂 I just love to write music and I’ll continue doing so until I drop! Income will eventually come for sure!
@@chrislevelfansthanks for the encouraging and constructive comment!
I’ve never understood the mentality a lot of musicians/composers have with the 50/50 split. I’ve never had a problem with signing deals like this…. It’s like applying to a job but requesting you don’t do any work giving them no incentive to hire you in the first place… why should it be any different for musicians? As for not making much money…. People are often ungrateful… whether it’s a couple of hundred every quarter or less… it all adds up and we need to have different hats in the industry made up of multiple income streams… Note to ungrateful composers… “whining you aren’t earning enough? Want to be a star? Join the circus!”
I love these videos man and they don’t in any way shape or form deter me from making a slice of cake every quarter alongside my session work. Yes it’s hard, yes it’s a long game but it’s one that for me is working out pretty damn good as a result of playing it for a while!
Sounds like you've got a winning mindset for this industry!
This is fantastic!! Almost tongue in cheek - ALMOST - but this pursuit is as much of a cluster as anyone can imagine!!! Jesse, you never disappoint!!!
Great start to this series Jesse. I'm happy to say that this component didn't deter me, an expected long game that is smoothed over by the joy and passion of the process and pursuit. Full disclosure, you mentioned that guy that gets distracted by NFTs, well that was exactly me. Completely derailed. And when I went that route I swear to God I heard your voice in my head saying exactly what you said here and have said before about leaving Sync at the wrong time once momentum begins to build, even when you don't know it is building. Looking fwd to staying on track and ep#2!
As always Jesse, the truth hurts... lol thanks for reminding people that this isn't for the impatient. It's wise to diversify your portfolio. Use SYNC as one spoke on the wheel of your business ventures!
You’re the real one here! Hahaha most people always talking making huge money while not knowing how it actually works
Love that your doing this. Real talk.
I couldn't agree more! I am 4 years in the sync industry now. I have 30 tracks in a non-exclusive library and 2 tracks in exclusive library. Non of my 30 NE tracks saw or smelled a placement in those 4 years but my 2 tracks have been placed quickly which is strange. I submitted those two exclusive tracks in October 2022 and they got placed/registered in March 2023. This made me conclude that the slowness or quickness of the industry really depends on the quality of the library Jesse. Maybe I was lucky! I don't know! All I noticed that when I focused on exclusive libraries, I saw good quickness in the industry.
I truly believe that dealing with good medium sized exclusive library with well-known works is way better than the big exclusive giants due to the crowded nature in these big publishers that results to a lot of waiting from submitting to even getting a response.
But again, Is the industry slow as a snail? Definitely !
I believe I have the musical and production skills, I've been doing it, from an artist's perspective, for longer than I care to admit. Now I am trying to learn about the business side. I'm trying to learn about Sync Licensing and working with Music Houses for ad-agencies, and whatever other avenues there are.
From my position, your "10 reasons to NOT Sync" might be the best intro I could expect to help me decide is Syncing is something I should work towards. Thank you!
Cheers for keeping it real Jesse! 👍
I dig the video(s) on this topic and agree the process takes a long time... I started in 2019, and today I am distributed exclusively in 4 libraries with a track count of about 300 (if you include alt mixes, cut downs, then around 500) and starting to see activity on my last few royalty statements. I think supervisors today have other ways of getting music into their briefs whether it be from sync agencies or royalty free as well as there are many supervisors that want ARTIST music vs. production tracks... AND with more and more TV becoming "streaming services" vs. TV of old, I think that model is changing how music is getting placed... Regardless of my rabble, I think a reality series on the perils of sync licensing is a great idea because I've met many who lack the follow through to even complete a single catalog yet alone take the time to research libraries etc.
The title of this video should be "Fuck of out my space."
I’m going to go through all the videos. Regardless, I’m still taking the risk. That’s how my mindset is. Never give up.
Yeah. Great stuff, Jesse. I feel like the new ‘sheen’ will wear off soonish as these realities set in and a lot of people will realise it’s a big mountain to climb. Like anything, the people who are dedicated and exceptional should and probably would do well. Im glad I’m settled into it now and getting regular royalty checks. The machine is moving, albeit a gear lower than I’d like 😉 always working at it. I was very lucky to also get in with a major library as my first signing so that gave me a huge wind of initial momentum.
This Just make me more motivated to keep creating music tracks! But I don’t like this A.I stuff but I love creating music because one it’s like therapeutic to me and making music what I do. I did get accepted into a music library so I did accomplish the goal of getting into a music Library but I will keep succeeding weather it’s sync music, music for artists or etc with my music. I love creating music. And thanks for giving us truth about what’s going on. This helps us stay prepared
I tried to watch this 3 times at work. Kept getting interrupted. And it’s a nightshift. Should be quiet but it’s not. With that said, don’t like my job. Would rather do music. Sync isn’t my only goal, I’d like to produce for artists as well. It took me years to get good at what I do now and I started with no knowledge so I am not afraid to do it again. My kids are grown and my house is paid for. It’s a great time to get into this.
I think people should watch this video before starting sync for sure its not for everyone. Wating on these checks is like waiting on babies at least 9 months. I really do think you have to be crazy to know all this and continue to do it.. lol.. Dont get me wrong Im one of the crazy ones my self.. lol.. So far its been about 3 years doing sync 4 libraries hundreds of tracks 75 - 80 placements and im still going. Thanks for the video Jesse I will enjoy watch the rest of the series.
How is the income? I'm in a similar spot where I'm starting to get multiple placements and am just waiting for royalty money to come in. I'm just hoping for some solid money and not even full time income for now.
@@BrofUJu yea I wouldn't bank on getting good money even Jesse said that he got change for his first check... it does matter what placements you get which network what time of day.... everyone's will be different
@@XELOhh1 oh for sure. We do a ton of reality shows, some big channels some smaller. For me I just am hoping to eventually get to a couple thousand per quarter and I'd be thrilled and then go from there, think that's totally achievable within the next couple of years
@@XELOhh1 $10-$200usd per minute is what I've seen on forums, double that if you kept your publishing. Theme is 2-5x. Tv networks with expensive ad breaks in between episodes pay the most
Starting a business is rarely a quick and easy thing. A good friend of mine started is own edge fund and spent 5 years without real income. But guess how he's doing now...
Yes, this is realistic advice. I spent a year going down the path of creating a new album of tracks, and getting signed with 2 new libraries. I've been submitting new tracks to one of those libraries (for ongoing briefs), at the rate of at least 2 tracks per month ... not a single song has been registered in ASCAP although I know that many tracks are getting into new shows. But I won't see the results of this effort for another 6 months or so (my estimate). This industry is like a crock pot .... it takes time to heat it up but the consistent effort is whats required.
I've kind of learned to even stop checking that, lol. Fact that it's not being registered doesn't mean you won't get paid properly
This is not a overnight experience it’s a lifetime journey. I live in NYC this will never be my full time income it’s multiple sources of income for me lol. I love this video and im still enrolled in your program
I was referred by someone to your course, but then stumbled on this video. I'm a full-time web dev and just was looking for a side gig for extra income. As a side hustle, does it still make sense to do?
Actually more and more these days Sync is likely going to become a side hustle for most producers so yes!
I'm okay with doing it part-time. Maybe if everyone in the community would stop promoting it as full-time thing we'd all be less desperate and confused. Musicians are still regular people with debt and other domestic responsibilities that music is not going to take care of.
I totally get your point. I've talked about Sync licensing as potential full-time income because that's what it was for me (and what it is for many of my colleagues). But def not easy and not accessible for everyone's lifestyles.
One thing I would say about the money is that you're going to spend more money invested in music than you ever will get back. The equipment, the software, the sample libraries, the DAW's, the keyboards or guitars. Period. You will spend and invest more of your cash into your music suite then you ever will get back out of it. Do you have to be desperate for this business? Yes!
It def takes money to get the right setup for success, but granted these days that dollar amount is MUCH lower that it ever was historically.
Great idea, these series! I would go further: it took 1-3 years just to be able to make lincesable tracks
Great point! Some producers need even longer just to get started!
i just took music i already had and it got accepted into a library is that good?
Depends on how licensable your music was, but congrats on getting accepted!
Sound like my UA-cam channel thus far. Should be a breeze for me lol 😂
jesse, i think your timeline is still too optimistic for most. granted the example of an author who is ready to go and kill it from day 1 production and all, it takes a while learning and researching this industry, may take 6 months just to sort out which libs to approach from the hundreds out there (may pitfalls), takes a while to figure out what they're looking for, takes a while to get a reply (if ever), takes a while to get revisions and agreements resolved, takes a while to be released (some labels take 1-2yrs to release from acceptance), takes a really long while (most impt of all) to tell if your music is the right fit for the library (if not repeat from start, i've experienced an initial placement then nothing after) . . . and only then can one calculate the post placement timeline (6-9mnths PRO domestic, 1-2yrs PRO intl) . . . . there are other factors such as late PRO payouts due to late cue sheet subs, rejected tracks in late stages (fierce competition), PRO registration errors (they happen more often than you think), seasonal downtime (for some labels), timing (label already released similar album), current events (covid, writers strike) and many more . . .this career is literally a war of attrition
Yep, this timeline is if EVERYTHING is working quickly (which is rarely the case). You're def aware of the downsides!
@@SyncMyMusic i intentionally pointed out variables that's out of anyone's control....and as you mentioned this is for someone who is ready out the gate (basically someone who has gone through a course like yours, or self studied . . .for whichever path already takes time and money) . . . harder to estimate for folks who are still learning how to use compression or program drums/string articulations
Ok, thank you I‘m done. Now when does your series „What else is there to do with your time than sync licensing“ start? 😅
I can give you that series now: anything else.
If anyone can tell me an easy way to make money I'm all ears. I jest ofc. Anyrhing worthwhile doing takes a lot of work and time
Wisdom.
😅😅😅🤣🤣🤣 You're right that there's been a whole lot of music licensing hype lately. It's a good idea to bring people to reality at this point I think. I'd certainly not rely on music licensing to pay my next rent if I just heard about it. I think it has to be considered a great "side hustle" for a while before it might become a potential career. And like anything else in the music industry realm, if it's not a real passion in itself and you're doing it just to pay your bills, you'd probably be better off doing something else.
4:05 Im all three
I sent my tracks to 10 different music libraries. They are an orchestral trap album and all of them for real are 9/10 quality. It's been 1.5 months and all of them ghosted me. Same thing happened to a friend of mine. Maybe this intrusty is way too crowded to give attention to new talents. They already have their own cycle... What do you think?
I'd have to hear your tracks to know if there's something you could to improve them, but orchestral trap is a VERY saturated genre so my guess is that you're going to need to revamp your cues to make them more unique.
i strong deseegree writing librery one at time . Wenn you have a product to sell like ethery budy else in my experince i dosent metter as long your Music is good .
it teiks also for librery slot of time to answer so wot the point xd
Good luck with that!
@@SyncMyMusiclol! Said and said.
no need lack i have alredy tray it out there . Wrote more then 100 Libreries in one Time at it workt just fine becouse it teik long for then to answer becouse of the larg amount of Music . Meaby is librery and poeple dependent . It is intresting your point . But i also had lot of Music to present . ^^@@SyncMyMusic
Define 'dedication' in this context?
I don't think anyone needs to be told how difficult it is to succeed in this industry. We all know it's a 'you get lucky' industry so no matter how meaning full your definition of 'dedication' is it still seems pointless as you've stated within the first 5 minutes of this first video on the DO NOT SYNC topic. What is good production music or music in general? Well good music is a matter of opinion I hear you say so who decides what's good? The licensing companies etc do with regards to placements.
Everyone believes their music is great & people like your good self have encouraged folk (who are, in reality, & being honest, not very good at it-to put it mildly) to flood the industry with very low quality material in the hope of getting lucky- because it IS possible to succeed if they 'work hard enough & are dedicated' is the message! Yes of course we all know good music is an opinion but we all know real obvious crap when we hear it as well! AND so do those who are in a position to make that luck happen when listening to submissions. Because of this I can imagine them bored sick with the constant flow of crap over the past 4/5 years & don't bother listening anymore. Have you finally realized this hence these DO NOT SYNC vids?
My conclusion is By the sounds of it being dedicated isn't going to help, no matter the quality & hard work put into it. Just my opinion for what it's worth:)
Luck is certainly an important factor in this business, but you can put yourself in "lucky" situations fairly often with dedication and consistency. Sound like Sync isn't for you - which is totally ok! I hope you find something else that gives you the results you're after.