How to Get TV Placements for Your Music: A Step-by-Step Guide
Landing your music on a television show can transform your career. Not only do TV placements expose your songs to millions of viewers, they can also become a steady revenue stream through sync fees and performance royalties. After years of placing my tracks across networks like BET, NBC and VH1, I’ve learned that there’s a strategic way to approach this process. If you’re wondering how to get TV placements, here’s a step-by-step guide in my own words.
Start with a solid catalogue. Build a library of high-quality songs that are professionally produced, mixed and mastered. TV producers and music supervisors need tracks that sound polished and ready to drop into a scene. Create different moods and genres so you have options when an opportunity arises. Make sure you control both the master and publishing rights or at least know exactly who does; clear rights are non-negotiable.
Do your homework on shows and supervisors. Before submitting anything, research which shows use music similar to yours. Spend time watching current programmes and pay attention to the type of tracks they license. Look up the names of the music supervisors in the end credits and learn about their tastes. This helps you tailor your pitch and shows that you understand their world.
Work with reputable sync agents and libraries. These days most music supervisors rely on trusted intermediaries – sync agents and boutique libraries – to source music. Agents act as the go-between, vetting artists and ensuring all rights are cleared. Libraries curate pre-cleared music and make it easy for supervisors to find what they need. Partnering with the right agent or getting your songs into respected libraries can open doors that cold emails won’t.
Prepare your metadata and presentation. When you send music, make it easy for someone to say yes. Include streaming links as well as download options. Tag your files with accurate metadata – song title, composer, contact information, genre, mood and tempo. Provide instrumental versions and short edits. Avoid sending huge attachments; instead use services like DISCO.ac to host your tracks and send a clean link.
Build relationships and stay professional. The entertainment industry runs on relationships. Attend industry events, workshops and online communities where music supervisors, producers and fellow composers hang out. Be genuine and patient; nobody likes a spammy pitch. When you do get a reply, respond quickly and professionally. Be open to feedback and willing to make tweaks to fit a specific brief.
Be persistent and keep learning. Breaking into TV placements takes time. You’ll probably hear more “no” than “yes,” but each interaction teaches you something. Keep writing, keep improving your craft and keep submitting. Trends shift, and the more versatile and prepared you are, the better your chances of landing that first placement.
If you focus on creating great music, doing your research and building authentic relationships, your songs will find the right homes. TV placements aren’t about luck; they’re about strategy, patience and professionalism. Use these steps as a roadmap and you’ll be well on your way to hearing your music on the small screen.