4 Ways To Know You Should Quit Sync Licensing

[Casey H]

When Cosmicdolphin absolutely loves my track, I know I'm done.

HUMOR!!!

[cosmicdolphin]

I can probably think of more than four

[SubRivers]

This sort of reminds me of this

https://readable.com/blog/do-inuits-rea ... -for-snow/

[Casey H]

It's an excellent video that makes great points. Thanks for sharing, Tom!

One thing I will add is the definition of success varies for everyone. What were your goals to start with? Are they malleable?

It's a great point that doing something that isn't fun or you even hate will never work. For example, most people who make "real" money in sync do it with instrumental cues. I write vocal songs which is much tougher from a money POV. However, writing instrumental cues with virtual instruments would be misery for me, I would hate it. No point. You'll never be good at things you hate.

I love the fact that he reminds us that not making it in sync licensing does not mean you are a failure, not talented, a bad person, etc. We get so caught up in rejection (listings, libraries, etc.) that we forget that's not at all the whole universe out there.

Best,
Casey

[Casey H]

Similarly, I know I am not cut out to create 10 instrumental cues of the same kind ("album"), so I am not interested in working with libraries that put such burdens on their composers.

Tom

I think "requirements" would be a better word than "burdens". Then there is no value judgement associated with it.

Casey

[cosmicdolphin]

this is why some people follow a more hobby-ish approach, because they would lose all fun with music if it suddenly was a 9-5 obligation.

Why would anyone think it's okay to treat it as a hobby. You're dealing with industry professionals.

Would anyone be able to your job as a hobby? Wrong tools, wrong training, intermittent results ?

Just because you do it part time it doesn't mean you should be any less proficient or qualified.

[cosmicdolphin]

As long as your product and your conduct are at the right professional level, it does not matter what your background is, or how much money and time you spent.

The right tools make the job much faster and efficient. Many of the requests are time sensitive too where you have only a day or two. So it does matter how much time you spend in many cases.

And having good tools speeds up the production a lot.

I disagree. Someone who creates a tension or simple dramedy cue does not need to spend thousands of $$ on software, studios, or training.

I disagree with your disagreement. A good home studio doesn't have to cost thousands, but the correct working environment and a good selection of libraries are key to making inroads long term.

Training can be done for free , I've never had any formal music training at all. Doesn't mean I haven't studied though.

[Casey H]

Why would anyone think it's okay to treat it as a hobby. You're dealing with industry professionals.

Would anyone be able to your job as a hobby? Wrong tools, wrong training, intermittent results ?

Just because you do it part time it doesn't mean you should be any less proficient or qualified.

I'm happy for your success and respect your knowledge and talent but it's presumptuous and arrogant to keep telling people that your way is the only way. And TBH (you love honesty), there's way more to being a professional than the music itself. Interpersonal skills matter a lot. In fact, they often matter more than the music. I owe my success to a lot of things which include how I manage my valuable relationships with peers, co-writers, and library execs. You may want to tell us you are rude and arrogant to people here but a total charmer with industry folks. But my experience in life has been people's personality tends to extend to all aspects of their lives.

When you throw around the word "professional" around, it reeks of hypocrisy.

I am one of those who admits this is a hobby for me. I've had music on probably 100 TV shows and earn regular sync and PRO money. No, I don't do my own productions. Don't even have sample libraries, just a guitar, BIAB, and a DAW to rough out my songs. But in my "hobby", I studied songwriting and lyric writing for 20 years now. Oh, and my lyric writing (a skill you scoff at) has earned me at least 30 placements on network TV when I teamed up with a music co-writer to create a sync-worthy song.

Casey

[cosmicdolphin]

.

I read your post - You should have the courage of your convictions and leave it up.

There was something about hypocrisy....I forget what exactly. As for networking etc. No, never actually spoken to a Library owner in person , never needed to and likely never will - it's not a pre-requisite to getting music into a libraries. Neither is going to a RR

Being a sales professional I deal with people daily, usually fairly high up in the organisation and close some pretty big CapEx deals. Not because I schmooze them my charming personality but because I know my s##t , I take the time to understand their needs and I offer them solutions. And once in a blue moon I have to tell them flat out that our systems won't be suitable and they should go find a more suitable solution elsewhere. I apply the same principles to my sync career.

Personally I think outsourcing the vast majority of your production is a cop out, it's like those people who buy those mail order meal kits instead of understanding the techniques behind cooking. You can't call yourself a chef..Can you ? Whilst it's good for the people over on Soundbetter etc. it's a poor business model long term for sync. Learning to play an instrument is far more rewarding than using tools like Blandinabox and will inform your songwriting on a much deeper level. You can go from scratch to 'good enough' if you work at it for about 6 months so I see no excuse if you've been at it for 20 years. The money normally spent on hiring others could be reinvested in instruments, equipment and lessons, and recouped with the connections already made. What's stopping you? ( If you don't know I will tell you )

As for being dismissive of lyric writers - if that's all they can do then they portray themselves as some sort of nobel "artiste" then yes I am.

"oh but I'm a lyric writer...you wouldn't understand "...yeah ?..me too..I have a pencil and went to primary school. It is the most basic of basic skills - Write me some chords and a good melody to go with them, then sure - I'd consider that a skill. Lyrics I hear that are written by the people that also wrote the song itself are often way better than the people purporting to be purely 'lyricists'.

And yes, I always think my way is the best way otherwise I wouldn't be doing it. Other opinions are available. Don't confuse self belief with arrogance.

[Casey H]

I read your post - You should have the courage of your convictions and leave it up.

Well since you responded, I put it back. I deleted it last night so I could sleep on it and re-think the wording. Your response, though, made it more appropriate and relevant. Feel free to do your usual quote every sentence and respond below it.

People who need to continually put others' work down to feel better about themselves are incredibly insecure human beings.
Not going to go back and forth with you.