Top Tips to Submit Music to Music Supervisors

When it comes to getting your music noticed, knowing how to submit music to music supervisors can be a game-changer. Music supervisors play a pivotal role in selecting songs for TV shows, movies, commercials, and video games. By connecting with them, musicians can significantly increase their chances of getting their music featured in popular media, reaching wider audiences, and enhancing their careers.

In this article, we’ll explore effective submission techniques and how to understand the unique needs of music supervisors. Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been in the industry for a while, these insights will be invaluable as you work to get your music heard.

To learn more about the duties and importance of music supervisors, Berklee explains what a music supervisor does.

Understanding Music Supervisors

Music supervisors are the curators of soundtracks. They choose the right tracks to enhance the storytelling in visual media. Here’s a closer look at their work:

• Duties and Impact:
  • They are responsible for selecting music that fits the mood and tone of a project, negotiating licensing deals, and ensuring all musical choices comply with legal requirements.
• Selection Process:
  • Music supervisors look for tracks that align with the project’s theme and can evoke specific emotions. They consider factors like lyrics, tempo, and genre.
• Key Criteria for Choosing Tracks:
  • Alignment with the project’s artistic vision
  • High-quality production and sound
  • Originality and emotional impact
• Building Professional Relationships:
  • Establishing a strong, professional relationship with music supervisors can open doors to more opportunities. It’s essential to support their projects and communicate effectively.

You can learn more about the importance of the role in this article from Documentary Magazine.

By grasping the role and processes of music supervisors, musicians can tailor their submissions in ways that meet these professionals’ needs, thereby increasing the chances of their music being selected.

Preparing Your Music Submission

Getting your music noticed by music supervisors is no small feat, but with the right preparation, you can make your submission stand out. Here’s how:

• High-Quality Audio:
  • Ensure your recordings are of top-notch quality. This means no background noise and a well-mixed track.
• Proper Tagging:
  • Clearly tag your tracks with details such as genre, mood, and tempo. This makes it easy for supervisors to understand where your music fits.
• Personalized Pitches:
  • Tailor your pitch to each supervisor. Research their past projects and mention how your track can align with their current needs.
• Alignment with Style and Genre:
  • Understand the preferences of the music supervisor you’re submitting to. Sending a rock track to a supervisor known for pop projects might not be effective.

For more in-depth advice on music submission dos and don’ts, check out this detailed YouTube video.

Effective Ways to Submit Music to Music Supervisors

There are several methods to get your music in front of music supervisors. Here’s how you can do it effectively:

• Email Submissions:
  • Pros:
    • Direct contact; allows for personalized messages.
  • Cons:
    • Can end up in spam; might go unnoticed in busy inboxes.
• Submission Platforms:
  • Platforms like TAXI and Music Gateway offer gateways specifically for music submissions.
  • Pros:
    • Streamlines the submission process; supervisors regularly check these platforms.
  • Cons:
    • Often requires a subscription fee.
• Networking Events:
  • Industry conferences and meetups provide opportunities for face-to-face connections.
  • Pros:
    • Can establish a personal connection; receive immediate feedback.
  • Cons:
    • Time-consuming; might require travel.

Each method has its benefits, so choose what works best based on your goals and resources. By understanding these avenues, you’ll better position yourself to submit music to music supervisors with success.

Leveraging Online Platforms for Music Submission

In today’s digital age, online platforms offer a convenient and effective way to submit music to music supervisors. These platforms not only expand your reach but also streamline the submission process. Below are some platforms with unique features:

• TAXI:
  • Acts as a matchmaker that provides feedback on submissions, aiding artists in refining pitches and targeting the right projects.
• Music Gateway:
  • Offers a wide network and additional collaboration opportunities, alongside project management tools for efficient music submission processes.
• Tunecore:
  • Primarily a distribution service, but it expands your reach by getting your music onto various digital platforms, exposing it to a broader audience.

One of the key benefits of these online platforms is the accessibility they offer to independent artists. Often, these services have built-in metrics and feedback that can help refine your submission strategy.

If you are interested in submitting your music, you can consider checking out Level 77 Music.

Follow-Up Etiquette and Building Long-Term Relationships

Submitting your music is just the first step. Following up and establishing a relationship with music supervisors is equally important. Here are some tips to do this professionally:

• Timely Follow-Up:
  • Wait for an appropriate amount of time before following up, typically about two weeks. This gives the supervisor a chance to listen to your submission without feeling pressured.
• Polite Communication:
  • When you do follow up, keep your messages short and polite. Thank them for their time and express your interest in future opportunities.
• Stay Relevant:
  • Keep music supervisors updated with new releases or significant accolades. Being on their radar can make a difference when they’re sourcing tracks for projects.
• Quality Over Quantity:
  • Limit follow-up emails to reduce the risk of becoming an annoyance. Focus on meaningful updates rather than constant communication.

Building long-term relationships with industry professionals requires a blend of patience and persistence.

By leveraging the right platforms and following up thoughtfully, you can improve your chances of catching a music supervisor’s attention and establishing fruitful industry relationships.

Mistakes to Avoid in Music Submission

Submitting your music to music supervisors can be a game-changer, but avoiding common mistakes is crucial to success. Here are some pitfalls to steer clear of:

• Generic Pitches:
  • Personalization is key. Avoid sending the same pitch to everyone. Tailor your message to match the needs and preferences of each music supervisor.
• Over-communication:
  • While follow-up is important, too many emails can come across as pushy. Give music supervisors time to review your work before reaching out again.
• Ignoring Submission Guidelines:
  • Each supervisor may have specific instructions for submissions. Make sure to follow these guidelines to the letter to show professionalism and respect.

Ignoring these points can lead to missed opportunities. Maintain professionalism by adhering to these simple guidelines and improve your chances of getting noticed.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Submitting music to music supervisors requires careful planning and execution. By following the right techniques, you can increase your chances of success. Here’s a quick recap of what to focus on:

• Understand the needs and preferences of each music supervisor.
• Personalize your pitches and follow submission guidelines.
• Choose effective submission methods and platforms.

Taking these steps can help create more opportunities and better engagement with industry professionals. Consider exploring one of the online platforms discussed earlier to broaden your reach.