What is Micro-Sync Licensing?

What is Micro-Sync Licensing?

We’ve talked about sync licensing and royalties many times on this blog. One thing we haven’t talked about is micro-sync. In this post, we’ll dive into what it is and why it’s important. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Micro-Sync Licensing?

Let’s break it down…

Sync licensing refers to the synchronization of a song with any form of visual media. Any time your song is featured in a TV show, movie, commercial, etc., that’s called a “sync placement”. That being said, sync and micro-sync are essentially the same thing, but with one major difference.

Scale.

Sync vs. Micro-Sync Licensing

Just as an artist would be paid licensing fees and royalties for a placement in a TV show or film, they would also be owed “micro-sync” fees and royalties for smaller features.

Some examples of the types of common micro sync licensing placements include:

  • User generated content, i.e. YouTube
  • Social media posts
  • Internal company videos
  • Video presentations at events and conferences
  • Professional wedding videos
  • Podcasts
  • Video Fitness Classes
  • Twitch Livestreams
  • Apps
  • Mobile Games

Typically, sync licenses are negotiated between the production and content owners for thousands of dollars per license. However, this process can be very time consuming and requires a lot of paperwork.

On the other hand, micro sync licensing is on a much smaller scale, so the business model is quite different. Content owners looking to get into micro sync need to operate in a marketplace that facilitates quick and easy licensing so they can achieve a high volume of small placements. This adds up!

How does this benefit you?

It would be nearly impossible for you to find thousands of people who are willing to pay you a few bucks each to use your music in their video project. However, the demand is out there. If you play your cards right, you could have steady income coming in from all over the world.

  • The best way to achieve this is to work with a platform like MusicbedSongtradr, or Artlist. These prominent platforms aggregate music, attract content creators, and make the licensing process a much simpler, streamlined experience.

In Conclusion…

Micro-sync opens up a lot of opportunities for small content creators to harness the music of real artists. With micro-sync platforms, artists have a whole new way to spread the love and collaborate with ease.

Good luck!

Music Business Facebook Groups You Should Join

Music Business Facebook Groups You Should Join

One of the most underutilized tools for networking in this industry are Facebook groups. Every day, tons of music industry-related groups are actively sharing knowledge within communities of like-minded individuals just like you. In these groups, you can ask for support, get advice, inquire about job opportunities and so much more. Here are some of our favorites…

Music Business Facebook Groups You Should Join

DIY Tour Postings

If you’re a musician planning a tour, DIY Tour Postings should be a staple in your bag of tricks. This one is a killer resource for those in need of gigs to play, opening acts, or even if you’re a talent buyer or scout looking for potential acts for your next show.

Last minute realizing you aren’t selling as many tickets to your upcoming show as you’d hoped? In here, you can promote yourself without censorship and they will help you to fill your concerts with people. This group is also full of seasoned tour vets who know the ins and outs of tour life and offer valuable advice for those who are new to the game.

Artist Managers Connect

Artist Managers Connect is a digital community of artist managers from around the world who are dedicated to sharing knowledge, advice, and opportunities in order to better serve our artists and the industry as a whole. Industry pros and newbies alike have a lot to gain from this group.

Everyone Knows Everyone In The Music Industry

Everyone Knows Everyone In The Music Industry is a group that has tons of cool music people who are all there to share information about jobs, gigs and opportunities in the industry. They have a rule about not sharing ads, so it’s the perfect place to see strictly great opportunities from like minded people. It’s a private group, but you can request to join right here.

Music Biz Besties

Calling out all the ladies in the crowd, this one’s just for us. Music Biz Besties is a private group for female musicians & industry leaders hosted and founded by Katherine Forbes. Katherine started the group with a love for networking and a yearning for a strong community of women all working together to turn dreams into reality.

In this group, you’ll have access to job opportunities, a community of music lovers just like you, and insights for how to make it in an industry that’s all about hustle and badass networking.

Nashville Music Industry

This Nashville Music Industry Facebook group is open to everyone who is in any way involved in the Nashville Music Industry. All you have to do is introduce yourself and let them know how they can help you! If you’re in Nashville, this is group is a must.

Symphonic Fam

Here at Symphonic, we’ve got our own FB group that fosters a supportive space for the indie music community to talk about the industry. Members can collaborate together to share knowledge on best practices, make valuable connections, and share related content. In Symphonic Fam, everyone is free to ask questions and share helpful tips and tricks with a supportive community of music industry peeps. This group is all about helping each other out by empowering independent musicians everywhere to do what they love.

Women Empowered Mentorship Program

In addition to out Symphonic Fam Facebook group, there’s also a group for our Women Empowerment Mentorship Program. The group is a community dedicated to empowering women and supporting each other on our professional journeys’. This group is a safe and inclusive space for women to network, connect, and uplift each other.

Here, you’ll find a platform for job postings, networking opportunities, and resources for personal and professional development. Our community members have access to exclusive content, including webinars, workshops, and guest speakers. Whether you’re looking for a mentor, seeking advice, or simply want to connect with like-minded women, this is the place for you.

Five Unique Ways to Strengthen Your Fan Base

Five Unique Ways to Strengthen Your Fan Base

Your fans are everything. Without them, you likely wouldn’t be where you are today! (Or where you are hoping to be.) Fans are a community, and in order to strengthen it, you need to treat it as such. Below are a few ways to make your community of fans stronger than ever.

Here are five simple, but unique, ways to strengthen your fan base.

Create a name

Try to think of a large artist off the top of your head. Then, think of their fans. They likely have their own name right? For example, Ariana Grande has “Arianators.” Selena Gomez has “Selenators.” Lady Gaga has “Little Monsters.” The list goes on. The point is: recognize that your fans are an entity of their own, and they’re bound to grow.

Start a Facebook group

Once you create a name for your fans, it’s time to take it to the next level. Create a private Facebook group for you and your fans to interact on a personal level. Offer exclusive giveaways, information about upcoming releases, Q+As and more. Start by inviting friends and family and then reach out to your general fans. As long as you stay active, it should grow.

Stream on Twitch

Streaming on Twitch is a fun way to interact with your fans and make them feel more involved. You could stream live DJ sets, studio sessions, behind-the-scenes or even go into a realm like gaming. Make sure to promote your streams and shout out fans, so they know they are recognized.

Do meet-and-greets

Meet and greets are one of the best ways to interact with your fans. These in-person hangouts can be done before (or after) shows. You can have these backstage, at a pizza spot near the venue, or just in the crowd. Talking to your fans in person is one of the best ways to get to know them!

Offer giveaways

Giveaways are the best way to give back to your fans. Thank them for their appreciation and support by offering merch giveaways, free downloads and more. The possibilities are endless!
There are a ton of ways to strengthen your fan base, but we hope one of these works for you! Make sure to show as much love to your fans as they show to you!

Social Media Image Sizes for 2024

Social Media Image Sizes for 2024

If you’re an active social media user, then you don’t need to be told how important accurate image sizing is on socials. Social platforms change their preferred image sizing and formatting every year, so make sure to update yours accordingly! To help you out, here are the updated requirements for 2024…

Social Media Image Sizes for 2024

TikTok

  • TikTok Profile Photo Size: 20 x 20 pixels (minimum)
  • TikTok Video Size: 1080 x 1920

✨ PRO TIP: The ideal aspect ratio for TikTok videos is 1:1 or 9:16.

Facebook

  • Profile Photo: 170 x 170 pixels
  • Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Cover Photo: 851 x 315 pixels
  • Posts & Timeline Photos: 1200 x 630 (minimum 600 x 315)
  • Facebook Event Cover Photo: 1200 x 628 pixels (recommended)

✨ PRO TIP: To avoid any compression or distortion, upload a JPG or PNG file.

X (Twitter)

  • Header Photo: 1,500 x 500 pixels
  • Profile Photo: 400 x 400 pixels
  • Twitter In-Stream Photos: 1600 x 900 pixels

✨ Find more information on in-stream photos, visit the Twitter Help Center.

Instagram

  • Profile Photo: 320 x 320 pixels
  • Photo Thumbnails: 161 x 161 pixels
  • Instagram Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Photo Size: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square); 1080 x 1350 pixels (portrait)

✨PRO TIP: When you share an Instagram image that is sized over 1080 pixels, Instagram will size it down to 1080 pixels for you.

Instagram Reels

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels (This is an aspect ratio of 9:16.)
  • Cover photo: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Keep in mind that Reels are cropped to a 1:1 image in your profile feed and a 4:5 image in the home feed.

LinkedIn

  • Recommended Profile Photo: 400 x 400 pixels
  • Profile Cover Photo: 1584 x 396 pixels
  • Blog Post Link Images: 1200 x 627 pixels
  • Company Logo: 300 x 300 pixels
  • Company logo size for ads: 100 x 100 pixels

YouTube

  • Profile Photo: 800 x 800 pixels
  • Banners: 2048 x 1152 pixels
  • Thumbnail: 1280 x 720
  • Video: 1280 x 720

✨ PRO TIPS: 

  • Make sure the focus of your photo is centered for best results.
  • Files should be JPEG, GIF, BMP or PNG. Animated GIFs won’t work.
  • Photos will render at 98 x 98 pixels.

YouTube Shorts

  • Aspect Ratio: 9:16
  • Max Length: 60 seconds
  • Supported Video File Types: .MOV, .MPEG4, MP4, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP, and WebM.