How long do you wait before shopping a forwarded "Exclusive" track to other listings / entities?

[Unstar]

Greets.

I did several searches and I didn't find anything specific to this question.

Let's say one of your tracks got forwarded to a listing with "Exclusive" (potential) use of the track. How long do you wait after the forward before you decide to start pitching that track to other listings / entities? In other words, at what point do you forego the exclusivity of that track?

Keep in mind I saw a thread recently where someone was contacted around 13 months after a forward about a track. Would you keep that track "exclusive" for over a year?

Cheers,

-Vic

[hummingbird]

Most would recommend that you keep shopping the track until you get a deal.

For myself I usually wait about 3 months before pitching it elsewhere.

H

[cosmicdolphin]

I would wait about a nanosecond then send it somewhere else

[ttully]

Hey cosmicdolphin,

Funny!! but also true!!!!





Tim

[DannyWeber]

How long do you wait after the forward before you decide to start pitching that track to other listings / entities? In other words, at what point do you forego the exclusivity of that track?

Hey Vic,

Forwards are great but the only way someone else owns the exclusive rights to that song, is if you sign a tangible exclusive contract. Which means documentation that you read and understand before you sign.

You can submit to as many listings as you like until you SIGN exclusively. Even if you sign a song exclusively and someone from a TAXI listing (Prior to signing) is interested in that song after the fact… you can still tell them… I have already signed that track exclusively but I will write you 10 more just like it.

Being able to repetitively churn out high quality music is what allows you to sign music to more than one entity or as we like to call them.. Music Libraries or Publishers.

You should always be productive, even when you have some successes. Be that forwards or contracts.

Bottom line..
Exclusive contracts are binding! Never submit a track anywhere after signing (that track) to one but until you do sign one, you’re good to go.

“Write, Submit, Forget, Repeat” .. a good motto for us to live by!

Stay busy,

Dan

P.S.
I am not a lawyer but this is all basic stuff.
I almost forgot to mention (the most important thing), MUSIC LIBRARIES WILL CONTACT YOU IF THEY ARE INTERESTED! usually by email

[Unstar]

Most would recommend that you keep shopping the track until you get a deal.

For myself I usually wait about 3 months before pitching it elsewhere.

H

I'm thinking the same thing. Maybe 3 to 6 months depending on how lucrative that specific listing may be. It would be pretty frustrating if i hear back that they want that specific exclusive track for their submission like 8 months after submitting and I've moved on with that track to a much less lucrative listing.

But like Danny Weber says above, keep writing and submitting and churning them out.

[hummingbird]

One thing I think is true: if you keep writing and submitting, 6 months from now that great track you submitted might still be great... but your experience and chops are 6 months older and perhaps a wee bit better... so don't hold on too tight to something forwarded... be inspired by that to write 5 or 10 more just like it

[DesireInspires]

I would wait about a nanosecond then send it somewhere else

Agreed!

[eeoo]

I would never not pitch or sign something because I'm waiting to hear about another opp that probably won't pan out. I always go with the bird in hand.

[andygabrys]

Exactly.

Wait about a nanosecond.
Go with the Bird in hand.

If they wait months to get back to you, so be it. You can always write them something in the style of the original track.

With shorter term situations like commercials - its over in a week. If you haven't heard after a week - assume that ship has sailed. They have either changed direction (which happens so often) or they have found something that works.

With music supervisor listings - sure the super could get back to you in a year and have found another use for your track, and hopefully you reserved it as a non-exclusive track in your library. Thats also a long shot.

It makes a lot of sense to diversify your tracks, and cover a range of situations but you can't hold back from getting on with writing and signing.

Non-ex libraries.
Non-ex direct placements.
Exclusive libraries / copyright transfer / shared pub and licensing
Exclusive libraries / sync buyout / WFH

All have a place in most peoples music business. Consider how you want to work yours.