Last updated: May 02, 2024Unlock the potential for significant passive income by licensing your music or featuring your compositions in film and television productions. To assist you in harnessing this potential, we’ve meticulously curated a list of the top four non-exclusive music libraries currently accepting submissions from talented creators and producers.
Over the past five years, we’ve engaged in a comprehensive journey of licensing our music, yielding substantial financial benefits in the process. We have utilized these top music libraries to generate tens of thousands of dollars, allowing us to build a fruitful, consistent income stream. Our guide will equip you with the necessary insights, tips, and strategies to navigate these libraries effectively.
The internet abounds with lists of music submission opportunities. Unfortunately, many of these lists are outdated or superficially constructed from a cursory online search. Our approach significantly deviates from this trend. We only recommend libraries we have personally engaged with and yielded consistent, positive results.
In our experience, many music sync licensing companies receive an overwhelming volume of music, making it challenging for individual submissions to gain the necessary exposure. This lack of attention often culminates in a scarcity of sales. Our guide’s main objective is to help you navigate these pitfalls effectively and ensure your music receives the exposure it deserves. The recommended music libraries have consistently featured our songs on high-profile platforms, including prime time television, Netflix, and award-winning independent films.
Before delving deeper, it is essential to understand the critical differences between exclusive and non-exclusive music libraries.
When you sign with an exclusive music library, you grant them the sole rights to sell your song. While some libraries allow you to revoke this exclusivity after a specified period, others may require permanent exclusive rights. This necessitates careful thought and consideration before making a commitment.
On the other hand, non-exclusive libraries offer more flexibility, allowing you to submit your song to multiple platforms for sync licensing. We find this approach particularly suitable for those starting their journey in music licensing as it diversifies your revenue streams and reduces the risk of relying on a single platform.
It’s essential to note that all the libraries we will be reviewing are non-exclusive. This means that you can upload your compositions to several platforms and earn from all successful sales. However, be aware that each platform has its own specific terms and conditions, and some might have nuanced interactions that warrant a close reading.
Contrary to some prevailing misconceptions, the music libraries we’ll discuss do not offer upfront payments for music licensing. Instead, these libraries operate on a commission-based model. Every time your song is licensed, the library retains a portion of the fee (usually around 50-60%) and transfers the rest to you.
You can receive broadcast royalties if your song is “publicly performed” and you’re registered with a Performance Rights Organization (PRO) like BMI or ASCAP. This provides a wonderful opportunity to supplement your income from the songs you submit to these libraries.
While exclusive libraries might offer an upfront fee upon accepting your songs, the non-exclusive music libraries we’ll discuss offer an immediate opportunity to showcase your work to a broad audience. You can get started right away without needing to engage in extensive research.
While sync licensing is the primary offering of these music libraries, some libraries offer additional features. For instance, Songtradr submits your songs for overhead playback in stores, earning you royalties every time your song is played. Platforms like AudioSparx offer opportunities to feature your songs on compilation albums available on streaming services like Spotify.
These compilation companies command a significant following, allowing you to secure substantial plays. From our experience, we’ve seen our songs played over 100,000 times on Spotify, generating impressive revenue.
Let’s now dive into the specifics of each library, examining the pros, cons, and unique features that they each offer.
Pros: Active marketplace, user-friendly interface, fair review process
Cons: Lower payouts, lack of cue sheet enforcement
Pond 5 is our top pick, particularly for those starting their journey in music licensing. It is renowned for its vibrant marketplace, reasonable review standards, and user-friendly interface. A large portion of our income from music licensing has been generated through Pond 5, attesting to its potential as a reliable source of income.
Pond 5 features a transparent submission process that allows creators to upload music directly onto their platform. The website has an extensive user base of video creators looking for music to use in their projects. With Pond 5, you can expect your music to be exposed to a large and diverse group of potential licensors.
Pros: Smooth review process, varied opportunities, powerful (though complex) interface
Cons: Fewer direct licenses; some find the interface challenging
AudioSparx has been a valuable addition to our portfolio, contributing significantly to our income. While its higher sync license prices can limit sales volume, it compensates with a wide range of offerings and potential for additional revenue streams.
The platform is packed with features, and once mastered, the interface becomes an efficient tool for uploading and managing your music. Despite the steep learning curve, the potential benefits that AudioSparx provides make it an appealing option for composers looking to diversify their income streams.
Pros: Large customer base
Cons: Stringent upload requirements, rigorous review process
AudioJungle is known for its vibrant music licensing marketplace, teeming with buyers and sellers. Its significant customer base offers a substantial potential audience for your music. However, the stringent review process can pose a challenge.
AudioJungle’s marketplace model, similar to Pond 5’s, allows creators to sell directly to customers. This direct-to-consumer model has proven to be an effective method of music licensing, as it allows creators to retain a large portion of the license fee.
Pros: No review process, unique opportunities, potential for large payouts
Cons: Requires substantial effort to pitch; sales can be sporadic
SongTradr distinguishes itself with its unique proposition. It allows you to submit tracks for specific opportunities directly. While getting your songs noticed among the many submissions might be challenging, the high upfront fees offered when your track is selected make it worthwhile.
SongTradr’s model of operation places emphasis on the quality of music and less on quantity. Their well-organized platform makes it easy for potential licensors to discover and license your music. Moreover, SongTradr offers additional services such as distribution to streaming platforms, thus providing further opportunities for income generation.
As we conclude our journey through the world of non-exclusive music libraries, it becomes crystal clear that the opportunities available to musicians are abundant and diverse. From Pond 5’s vast marketplace and straightforward interface to SongTradr’s unique proposal of directly pitching to opportunities, these platforms provide myriad ways for musicians to monetize their craft. Indeed, engaging with non-exclusive libraries is a strategic move that could open up a world of potential income and exposure for your music.
Entering the realm of music licensing is not merely about creating music; it’s about strategically positioning your creations in front of the right audiences. Each of these music libraries offers its unique strengths, and a comprehensive understanding of their features, combined with a well-planned music licensing strategy, is key to optimizing your music’s revenue potential. We urge every aspiring musician to delve into these platforms, tap into their potential, and transform their passion for music into a viable, rewarding venture.
Thanks for the information. But I would like to ask: can I submit music I have previously released on streaming platforms like Spotify to non-exclusive music libraries?