Building a Sync‑Friendly Catalog from Scratch
Sync licensing—the placement of music in TV, film, ads, video games, and other media—has become one of the most lucrative opportunities for songwriters and producers. But not every track is ready for sync. To maximize your chances, you need a purpose-built catalog designed with licensing in mind. Here’s how to build one from scratch.
1. Understand What Music Supervisors Are Looking For
Before creating music for sync, it’s crucial to know the industry’s needs:
Mood and Emotion: Supervisors often search for tracks that evoke a specific feeling—uplifting, tense, introspective, or dramatic.
Flexibility: Tracks that can be looped, shortened, or layered are highly desirable.
Clear Arrangement: Songs with distinct sections (verses, choruses, bridges) make it easier for editors to fit music to visuals.
Clean Mix: Professional, balanced mixes without overly busy elements allow dialogue and sound effects to coexist with your music.
By understanding these priorities, you can tailor your catalog to increase its licensing potential.
2. Create Versatile Tracks
When building a sync catalog, versatility is key:
Produce multiple versions of each track: instrumental, short edits, stems, and loops.
Focus on genres in demand for sync: ambient, cinematic, pop, lo-fi, R&B, and upbeat electronic.
Avoid overly specific references or vocal content that limits where a track can be used.
Versatility ensures your catalog can fit a wide range of projects, from commercials to feature films.
3. Organize Your Catalog Strategically
A sync-friendly catalog is easy to navigate for music supervisors:
Tag by mood, genre, tempo, and instrumentation.
Include metadata like key, BPM, and a brief description.
Group tracks by type (instrumentals, full songs, stems) to simplify browsing.
Good organization improves discoverability and increases the likelihood of your tracks being licensed.
4. Focus on Quality Over Quantity
It’s tempting to create a large number of tracks quickly, but supervisors prioritize quality:
Aim for polished production, clear melodies, and professional mixes.
Invest in proper mastering to ensure your tracks sound great on all platforms.
Even a smaller catalog of high-quality, sync-ready tracks will outperform a larger, unfinished one.
5. Build Relationships and Pitch Strategically
A catalog alone isn’t enough; exposure matters:
Connect with sync licensing companies, music supervisors, and agencies.
Submit tracks to high-value briefs and opportunities consistently.
Consider publishers or teams like Elizabeth Music Group that actively pitch and negotiate sync deals, ensuring you get fair compensation and maximum placement opportunities.
6. Think Long-Term
Building a sync-friendly catalog is an ongoing process:
Continuously analyze trends in media and popular sync placements.
Update your catalog with fresh material that reflects current moods and genres in demand.
Track performance metrics from placements to understand what resonates with supervisors.
A well-curated catalog grows in value over time, generating repeat sync opportunities and passive income for years.
Final Thoughts
Creating a sync-friendly catalog from scratch requires intention, organization, and an understanding of what music supervisors want. By producing versatile, high-quality tracks, tagging them clearly, and actively pursuing placements, songwriters and producers can build a catalog that not only generates revenue but also opens doors for long-term career growth in the sync licensing world.
