Micro-Sync Royalties: What Musicians Need to Know

If you’re an aspiring musician looking to maximize your earnings, you need to explore every opportunity to generate revenue with your work. While you can make money from live shows and album sales, there are some other income-generating opportunities you should know about. One avenue that is quicky becoming a key revenue stream for musicians is micro-sync royalties.

Micro-sync royalties are revenue generated from tracks licensed for use with online content such as YouTube videos, podcasts, reels, short form videos, and more. While you won't be buying a yacht with your these royalties any time soon, it could be a reliable source of modest income.

In this post, we’ll break down what micro-sync royalties are, how you can earn them, and why they're an important revenue stream for the modern musician.

What Are Micro-Sync Royalties?

The term "sync" refers to the process of synchronizing music to moving images (e.g., movies, TV shows, ads, video games, etc.). “Micro-sync” refers to syncing music to small-scale digital media productions. Examples include:

• YouTube videos
• TikToks
• Instagram Reels
• Facebook Shorts
• Online advertisements
• Podcasts
• Vlogs
• Web-based training videos

Artists receive micro-sync royalties when their sound recordings and/or compositions are licensed for use with this type of content. Unlike traditional sync licenses, which might involve large upfront fees and negotiations, micro-sync licenses are typically automated and cover a large volume of small uses. The result? A steady stream of passive income for artists.

The key value here is volume. While you won't earn much from a single use, things can change if your track goes viral. For example, if thousands of TikTok creators use your song, and those videos get millions of views, you might start seeing some real cash. The more it's used, the more you get paid.

How Do Musicians Earn Micro-Sync Royalties?

To start earning micro-sync royalties, musicians need to make their music available through a distributor and a licensing platform that connects content creators with licensable music. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Sign up with a music distributor and a licensing platform

Your music distributor should be offering your music to all the major social media platforms for usage. Additionally, third-party licensing platforms can submit your works to various vlogs, podcasts, and online advertisers. Several companies specialize in licensing music for micro-sync opportunities, including:

• Artlist
• Musicbed
• Pond5
• Soundstripe

These platforms curate libraries of music and offer subscription-based or per-license pricing to content creators. As a musician, you can submit your music, and each time it’s synchronized, you earn royalties.

It's important to note that acceptance by these (and any other) digital platforms is not guaranteed. They are offering curated collections to users, so they populate their libraries with discretion. In any case, you have nothing to lose by submitting your work. Give it a try and see what happens.

2. Register your songs for performance and mechanical royalties

There are two types of royalties generated from micro-sync usages: Public Performance and Mechanical.

To receive public performance royalties, you must register as a writer with a Performance Rights Organization (PRO) such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. The PRO will then pay you royalties whenever your music is used in public performances, including in the context of micro-sync.

For mechanical royalties, you need to register with a publisher, as only publishers can register your songs with mechanical rights agencies like HFA, MLC, or Music Reports. The publisher will then pay you royalties for the mechanical use of your music in micro-sync contexts.

For more details, see our posts about performance rights and mechanical rights.

Why Are Micro-Sync Royalties Important for Musicians?

Here’s micro-sync royalties matter for musicians like you:

1. Consistent passive income

Since micro-sync royalties come from a large volume of small transactions, they provide an ongoing revenue stream. Unlike one-time sync deals, micro-sync royalties accumulate over time and can provide musicians with a modest but steady revenue stream.

2. Exposure and audience growth

Beyond revenue, connecting your music with online videos, vlogs, and social media posts can expand your audience. This exposure can translate into more followers, streams, and potential opportunities for larger sync deals.

3. Diversification of revenue

Relying solely on streaming revenue or live performances can be unrealistic for most musicians. Micro-sync royalties offer another way to monetize your music, ensuring you have multiple income streams.

4. Ease of access

Unlike traditional sync deals that require industry connections and negotiations, micro-sync licensing is more directly accessible. Many independent artists and producers can get started simply by signing up with a music distributor and music publisher.

Tips for Maximizing Your Micro-Sync Royalties

Here are a few tips to increase your chances of generating some solid micro-sync royalties:

1. Create high-quality instrumental versions

Many content creators prefer instrumentals to use as background music for talking-head videos or podcasts. Try converting some of your songs into instrumentals and see what works.

2. Tag and describe your music accurately

Licensing platforms use metadata to categorize songs, so detailed tagging helps your music get discovered by the right creators. By accurately describing your work, you can make it easy to find quickly.

3. Get the word out

Like anything else, you have to promote your work and licensing availability. Let content creators know they can license your music by mentioning it in your bio or on social media. Put on your salesman hat and make it as easy as possible for creators to find and connect with your work.

4. Keep up with trends

The market for this stuff tends to follow trends, not create them. Stay updated on popular styles and create music that fits the demand. If you have something that sounds like something popular, this is a good chance to put it to work.

Get Started With Micro-Sync Royalties

Micro-sync royalties are a reliable revenue stream for musicians. By making your music available on licensing platforms and working with a music distributor and publisher, you can start earning from online media placements. As content creation continues to expand exponentially, the demand for licensed music will only grow. Sure, earnings will be modest at first, but you never know when some video will go viral with your track attached. It's just another way to get your stuff out there, so make it happen!

If you’re an aspiring artist seeking help with distribution or publishing, Sugo Music Group is here to help. With over 40 years of experience, Sugo has helped countless artists publish and distribute music worldwide. By partnering with us, you can get your music the exposure it deserves and build the career you’ve always envisioned.