indie music creators

Collab Music Network is a community, an ecosystem, of independent music creators and music business professionals who work together to launch music careers in, and through, sync licensing.

 We empower you by teaching you everything you need to know to be successful in sync licensing.

 We help you develop a sync-ready catalog throough hands-on training, curated collaborations, brief writing, and sync camps.

 We give you access to our CMN network which includes sync-credited music creators, sync reps and partners, music supervisors, and other key players in the sync licensing game.

 We pitch your music to secure sync placements.

. We handle the licensing and clearance process ensuring your music is properly licensed and all necessary permissions are obtained.

 We offer fair deals that allow you to maintain ownership, work with sync professionals, and receive publishing suport in a collaborative and nurturiing environment.

 We offer label support for song releases created in our community.

ARE YOU READY TO COLLAB

We are always looking to support undeniable independent music creators (artist, songwriters, producers, beatmakers, engineers, musicians) who are multi-talented, diverse, have a music expertise, an impeccable work ethic, and are easy to collaborate with. We are selective and intentional about who we work with.

Collab Music Network agreements are exclusive deals with the songs developed with CMN and submitted and accepted. Our agreement does not affect any other material in your personal catalog.

If you feel you are the right fit and are ready to work, Submit Your Music below and someone from our team will be in touch if we hear anything we believe we can add value to.

What is Sync Licensing?

Sync is short for synchronization (pairing music with a visual). Sync licensing is the process of placing music in TV shows, films, ads, video games, and other media. When your music is licensed, you get paid upfront (sync fee) and can also earn backend royalties if the placement airs on TV.

What are the benefits of Sync Licensing?

• Get your music heard by bigger audiences through TV shows, films, commercials, and more.

• Earn money through royalties and license fees when your music is used.

• Grow your music career by opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations.

Who are the Key Players in Sync Licensing?

Music Users
Music Users are the people who need music for media projects — also called Music Supervisors, Licensors, or Music Buyers.
They are hired by production companies and are responsible for finding the right music to fit a TV show, film, commercial, or other project.
They pay you (or your representative) a fee to use your song, clear the rights to use it, and register cue sheets so you can collect royalties.

Music Creators
Music Creators are the songwriters, producers, artists, and musicians who make the music.
You own your compositions and sound recordings — and you get paid when your music is licensed for a project.
Your role is to create music that brings visuals to life emotionally. You also manage your copyrights, pitch your music, and collect royalties — or work with partners like publishers, labels, or sync reps to help you.

Rights Holders
Rights Holders are the owners of the music — whether that’s the songwriter, artist, publisher, label, or another entity.
They are responsible for monetizing the music, collecting the payments, and making sure royalties are distributed correctly.
Rights Holders can also give permission to third-party reps (like publishers or sync reps) to license and manage their rights.

Rights Holder Representatives
Rights Holder Reps are sync reps, publishing administrators, or others who act on behalf of Rights Holders.
They handle licensing, collecting money, and distributing payments — usually for a negotiated share or fee.

How Does Sync Licensing Work?

A sync license fee is the upfront money paid by a music user (like a music supervisor or brand) to the rights holder (you or your representative) for the right to use your music in visual media — like TV shows, films, commercials, or video games.

The fee covers both the composition (the song itself) and the master recording (the specific recording of that song).

The amount of the sync license fee depends on a few factors — how popular or valuable the music is, the production’s budget, and the negotiation between the two sides.

Sync license fees are the upfront money paid to use your music in TV, film, ads, and more — and it can range from indie budgets to major brand deals.

What other Money is Generated from a Sync License?

Beyond the upfront sync fee, you can also earn "back-end royalties" — ongoing money that comes after your music is placed.

Here's how it breaks down:

Performance Royalties
When your song is played on TV, in a film, or any public broadcast, you earn performance royalties.
These are collected by PROs like BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC, and paid directly to you as the songwriter and/or publisher.

Mechanical Royalties
If the show, film, or commercial your song is in is sold on DVDs, Blu-rays, or downloaded/streamed digitally, you earn mechanical royalties for the reproduction of your song.

Neighboring Rights Royalties
When your music is broadcast overseas, neighboring rights royalties kick in.
These royalties are collected for the performers and sound recording owners, separate from the songwriter side.

Bottom line: a sync placement can open multiple streams of income, not just the upfront fee.

What are the Barriers to Entering Sync Licensing?

Getting into sync licensing isn’t easy — but knowing the common barriers puts you ahead of the game:

• Not understanding the sync licensing process

• Lack of industry connections

• Writing lyrics that aren’t sync-friendly

• Music that doesn’t meet industry quality and production standards

• Creating music outside the preferred genres and styles

• High competition

• Legal and copyright mistakes

• Incorrect song registrations

• No professional representation

• Upfront investment required

• Geographic limitations (though technology is changing this)

• Keeping up with fast-changing trends and tastes

• Missing fast turnaround deadlines

At Collab Music Network, we exist to help you break through these barriers and build a real, sustainable path to sync success.

Why Work with Collab Music Network?

Sync licensing can get complicated fast — with multiple writers, publishers, labels, and rights reps involved in just one song.

Music Supervisors need a trusted partner who makes the process easy — someone who can deliver high-quality music, clear rights, and no legal headaches.

That’s why they work with Collab Music Network.

We understand both the creative and legal sides of sync — and we make sure your music is ready, clear, and positioned to land placements.

We are your clear path to turning your music into money through TV, film, ads, and beyond.

How Do I Know if My Music is Sync-Ready?
Your music is sync-ready when it's professionally mixed and mastered, has no uncleared samples, and includes instrumental versions.
You also need to own or control 100% of both the publishing and master rights — or be able to clear them quickly.

Do I Need to Register My Music with a PRO (Performing Rights Organization)?
Yes! To collect performance royalties, you must register your songs with a PRO like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC if you're in the U.S.
If you're outside the U.S., register with your country’s PRO.

What’s the Difference Between Exclusive and Non-Exclusive Sync Deals?

• Exclusive: One company controls all your sync placements.

• Non-Exclusive: You can work with multiple sync agencies and libraries.

How Do I Get My Music Placed in TV, Film, and Ads?
Building real relationships with music supervisors, sync reps, and agencies is key.
CMN bridges that gap — connecting your high-quality music directly to decision-makers who are looking for it.

What Types of Music Are in High Demand for Sync?
Music that delivers emotion, has strong dynamics, and feels cinematic tends to win.
Right now, there’s high demand for:

• Uplifting anthems

• Dark, moody cinematic pieces

• Modern soul, indie pop, and hip-hop

• Underscore and ambient textures

Do I Need a Publishing Deal to Get Sync Placements?
No — but you do need a strong strategy and network.
CMN helps indie artists land syncs without giving up ownership of their publishing rights unfairly.

Should I Create Custom Music for Sync?
Definitely! Custom music is highly valuable for ads and brand campaigns.
CMN helps artists create custom tracks that speak directly to a brand’s vision and needs.

Let's be real. Sync is tough when you have to do it all by yourself. Let Collab Music Network help!