How to Get Your Songs Placed in TV Shows and Commercials

How to Get Your Songs Placed in TV Shows and Commercials

You've always dreamed of hearing your song on a TV show or commercial. You know your melodies and lyrics are strong — and you're ready to break into the world of sync licensing.

But if you're like most indie artists, you might not know where to begin — or who to send your music to.

Sound familiar?

Below, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get your music ready for prime time. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear plan for landing your first placement.

Step 1: Make Sure Your Music Is Ready

Plenty of artists want their songs featured on television and film. But not every song is syncable.

That doesn’t mean your music isn’t great or stream-worthy. It just means that, for sync, songs need to support and enhance what's happening on screen.

In commercials, your track should amplify the energy and connect viewers to the brand. In TV shows, your song needs to help shape how audiences feel about a character, scene, or plot twist.

Also, your recordings must sound professional. Are your tracks polished, mixed, and mastered at the same level as the songs you hear on TV? Be honest about where you are — and if needed, spend more time refining your sound before pitching.

Step 2: Get Feedback

Feedback is crucial in the sync world. Being open and adaptable will set you apart.

Music supervisors might ask you to tweak your song — like making the ending bigger for a climactic scene, muting adlibs for dialogue clarity, or even rewriting a lyric to better match a show's theme.

As you create music for sync, seek feedback early and often. Share your work with people in the industry or fellow artists, and ask for honest notes on your songwriting and production.

Tools like Notetracks allow you to gather detailed feedback on your songs and make improvements before sending your pitch.

Step 3: Prepare Alternate Versions

Don’t miss out on a placement just because you’re missing the right version of your song.

Be sure to have:

  • Full version

  • Clean version (no explicit lyrics)

  • Instrumental version

  • TV mix (lead vocal muted so characters can sing over it)

Having these ready makes it easy for a music supervisor to say yes.

How Music Placement Works

There are several ways songs make their way into TV shows and commercials — but most placements happen through two main channels:

Music Libraries

Music libraries house thousands of tracks across all genres, making it easy for producers to find music quickly. Content creators typically pay a subscription or licensing fee to use tracks from these libraries.

Libraries are a great entry point for new artists — but placements often pay less, and your song might be buried among thousands of others.

Still, for smaller productions, YouTube content, indie films, and last-minute needs, libraries are often the first stop.

Music Supervisors

For bigger shows and ad campaigns, music supervisors call the shots. They're responsible for selecting and licensing the perfect tracks to match a scene.

Supervisors work closely with directors, writers, and producers to find songs that fit the emotional tone. They often source music from trusted publishers and sync agencies — partners who offer pre-cleared tracks ready to go.

Direct licensing directly from artists is rare because of time pressures and legal complexities. Supervisors need music they can clear instantly without chasing down multiple permissions.

Ways to Get Your Music Placed

1. Submit to Music Libraries

Music libraries are a fast, low-barrier entry point for sync placements. They’ll categorize and tag your music to help producers find it easily.

Payouts may be small, but exposure is valuable — and the volume of content creators searching for tracks is massive.

Websites like Music Library Report offer reviews and feedback from artists on different libraries.

Tip: Check TV show credits to spot the libraries productions are using!

2. Work with a Sync Agent

Sync agents pitch your songs directly to supervisors and producers. They don’t own your rights, but take a percentage of your earnings when you land a placement.

Many independent artists working in TV list their sync agents on their websites — research who’s representing the music you admire!

3. Partner with a Publisher

Publishers pitch your songs for opportunities, collect royalties, and often have relationships with labels and production companies.

Landing a publishing deal early in your career can be tricky, but not impossible — especially if you create sync-friendly music.

Important Things to Know

Own Your Rights

You can’t pitch music unless you control both the master recording and the publishing rights — or have clear permission from all collaborators.

Make sure your songs are registered with a PRO like ASCAP, BMI, or the equivalent in your country, and have your split sheets signed.

Lyrics Matter

Lyrics can make or break a sync opportunity. Even if the vibe fits, a love song won't work for a breakup scene.

General themes — empowerment, resilience, adventure, celebration — tend to sync better because they apply to more situations.

If you’re writing for sync, think broadly about your lyrics.

Watch Lots of TV

Seriously — this is huge.

Watch the shows you want your music on. Pay attention to the style, energy, and lyric themes of the songs they use. Take notes on production companies and music supervisors listed in the credits.

This gives you a roadmap for who to pitch to — and how to tailor your music.

Submitting Your Music

Music supervisors don't want unsolicited spam. Always check if they’re open to submissions — and respect their process.

If you’re submitting to libraries, agents, or supervisors, keep your email short and professional:

Example Email:

Hello [Name],

My name is [Your Artist Name], a pop artist based in [City]. I discovered your work after hearing [Band/Artist Name] in [Show Name].

I recently completed a six-song EP and believe the tracks "Here Again" and "Happiness" could be a strong fit for your catalog.

I own 100% of my master and publishing rights and am gearing up to play SXSW this spring.

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Thank you for your time,
[Your Name + Contact Info]

Short, friendly, and professional wins every time.

Landing Your First Placement

Breaking into sync takes time. It might be months (or even years) before you land your first placement — but the demand for fresh, independent music has never been higher.

Stay focused:

  • Build relationships with libraries, agents, and supervisors.

  • Make sure your music meets industry quality.

  • Watch TV shows and understand the sonic landscape.

  • Keep honing your craft, adapting based on feedback.

If your music can help tell a story, there’s a place for it on the silver screen.

Back to blog