What Is Sync Licensing and How Do Artists Make Money From It?

Sync licensing has become one of the most powerful income streams for modern artists. Whether you’re a producer, songwriter, or recording artist, you’ve probably seen creators online celebrating sync placements with brands, Netflix shows, video games, or YouTube creators. But how does sync licensing actually work and how do artists get paid from it?

This guide breaks it down in clear, simple terms while highlighting how Elizabeth Music Group helps artists pitch their music for sync placements and collect the royalties they’re owed.

What Is Sync Licensing?

Sync licensing (short for synchronization) is the process of pairing music with visual media. Any time a song is synced to a moving image/visual - TV, film, commercials, trailers, games, social media content - that’s considered a sync.

Examples include:

• A song during a dramatic TV scene

• Music in a TikTok ad

• A beat used in a YouTube travel vlog

• Background music for a video game menu

• A track in a movie trailer or commercial

Sync is everywhere and so are the opportunities.

Who Pays for Sync Licenses?

The companies or creators who want to use your music need permission. These are called licensees and often include:

• Film studios

• Streaming platforms

• Advertising agencies

• Brands

• Video game companies

• YouTubers and content creators

• TV networks

• Sports organizations

Because they’re using your music in their visual content, they must pay for that right.

How Sync Licensing Works: The Two Payments Artists Receive

Every sync placement involves two separate licenses - each with its own payment.

1. The Master License (Sound Recording)

This covers the recording itself (the audio file).
Who gets paid:

• Artist

• Label

• Whoever owns the master

2. The Sync/Publishing License (Composition)

This covers the underlying songwriting.
Who gets paid:

• Songwriters

• Music publishers

• Producers with publishing shares

Both payments are negotiated together, but they are two different checks.

How Much Money Can Artists Make from Sync?

Sync fees vary widely based on:

• The size of the brand/production

• How long the music is used

• What media formats (TV, streaming, theaters, web, etc.)

• Exclusive vs. non-exclusive licenses

• Popularity of the artist

• Negotiating power of the publisher

Common ranges:

• $500–$5,000 → indie films, YouTubers, small brands

• $5,000–$25,000 → TV shows, streaming series

• $10,000–$100,000+ → major ad campaigns, movie trailers, global brands

• $250,000+ → Super Bowl-level placements or major feature films

And that's just the upfront sync fee.

Performance Royalties Too

When your song airs on TV, you also earn:

• Performance royalties through your PRO
  These payouts can continue for months or years.

Sync licensing offers both immediate income and long-term publishing royalties.

How Artists Get Sync Placements

Contrary to popular belief, sync isn’t just about having good music. Music supervisors receive thousands of songs every week - you must stand out and be pitchable.

To land syncs, your music must be:

• High-quality and well-mixed

• Properly cleared (no uncleared samples)

• Registered correctly

• Easy to license

• Delivered with instrumentals and clean versions

• Organized and ready for fast turnaround

This is where a music publishing partner becomes essential.

How Elizabeth Music Group Helps Artists Get Sync Placements

Elizabeth Music Group supports artists by handling both the business foundation and the pitching strategy needed for sync success.

Here’s how:

1. Active Sync Pitching

EMG pitches songs from its roster directly to:

• TV & film music supervisors

• Advertising agencies

• Game studios

• Brands

• Digital creators

Your music is not sitting in a database - it’s being actively pushed.

2. Global Catalog Registration

Before any sync can happen, a song must be properly registered worldwide.
EMG ensures:

• Writers are correctly attached

• Compositions are registered globally

• Metadata is correct

This prevents payment issues later.

3. Sync-Ready Asset Preparation

EMG helps artists prepare all necessary assets:

• Instrumentals

• Stems

• Clean versions

• High-quality WAV files

• Accurate metadata

Music supervisors expect fast turnarounds - EMG makes sure you’re ready.

4. Direct Supervisor Relationships

Because Elizabeth Music Group is in constant communication with supervisors, your music reaches real decision-makers, not random email inboxes.

5. Publishing Collection

When your song is synced and aired:

• Elizabeth Music Group collects your publishing share

• Recovers global royalties

• Tracks foreign performance royalties

Why Sync Is One of the Best Income Streams for Modern Artists

Sync licensing is powerful because it offers:

✔ Major upfront money

A single placement can pay more than months of streaming revenue.

✔ Long-term performance royalties

TV reruns, streaming, and international broadcasting generate ongoing income.

✔ Massive exposure

A sync can introduce your music to millions overnight.

✔ Career credibility

Placements increase your value to labels, supervisors, brands, and collaborators.

✔ No touring required

Perfect for independent artists, producers, or writers who want alternative revenue streams.

Final Thoughts

Sync licensing is one of the smartest ways for artists to make money today. But success rarely happens without the right structure and support. That’s why working with a publishing partner like Elizabeth Music Group can make all the difference.

Elizabeth Music Group helps artists:

• Protect their music

• Register their catalog

• Pitch directly to music supervisors

• Recover global publishing royalties

• Create sync-ready assets

• Unlock new income streams

If you’re making great music, sync licensing is one of the most powerful ways to monetize it and Elizabeth Music Group is here to help you take advantage.