1. Listen (to music, people with experience, etc.) 2. Play all the different genres you usually hear on TV, learn the harmonic, instrumental and melodic vocabulary 3. Write every day 4. Do not give more than 20-30 tracks to a newly signed publisher until they've proven themselves with some placements at least 5. Watch more of Marlon & Finn

This really helps a lot! Thank you. I'm 50 and I am just getting started. I drive a truck only in FL and GA but been doing it since 95 I love creating music, not in a entertainment kinda way but songwriting kinda way. I tend to go overboard with things like gear or classes instead of slowing down and taking stock , so yea thank you

Thank you, Marlon. This might sound odd but I think I have to try more and fail more. The fear of failure usually keeps me from going out there. That and this incessant need for perfection. LOL

This is fantastic advice! I couldn't say I would do anything different since I'm just beginning my journey. All the little "mistakes" that I've made seem to lead to something positive. I'm very grateful for you and your willingness to share your journey and wisdom. Thanks again, Marlon!

Still in my 20s, living with parents so I have somewhat of a safety net, financially. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and helping me with this topic early on! I'm a drummer and producer and I produced my first composition for the 2023 Canada Arctic Winter Games theme song. Ever since that gig I felt like I should take this career seriously. I want to set goals towards being consistent and providing value. Looking forward to more of your videos.

This is super solid advice! Definitely agree fully with all aspects of building relationships in particular, especially in person. That has been one of the biggest factors for me for sure. I’m just starting now to fully realize how scattered my approach has been, so I’m also largely focused on building a more solid brand identity like you said. I think it’s important to experiment for sure and find both what you love and what you’re good at, but eventually we all need to find our sweet spot. Wishing you all the best!!

Solid Advice! Fully agree with the aspect of building relationships in particular, especially in person. Also focusing on building a solid brand identity.

I'm just now getting started with sync and honestly I'm just taking in all the information and hearing this perspective is really helpful

Hi...Good advice; exactly what I've been doing, so glad to hear someone thinking I'm bon the right track...thanks! I'm someone who isn't 'out there" yet... I started writing with a friend/former music director, who wrote a big retro Xmas musical number with me in the past. Long story short, we registered as partners with BMI, we revamped the Xmas song with SAG performers and started getting it ourselves to ad agencies etc. Then the pandemic hit!!! Since that time, it seems like the whole sync industry changed! They used to say, " Promote your own stuff, until you need an administrator or publisher" ... Now there are a zillion "libraries" with blanket deals with their clients, while they try to take all if the back end money from the songwriter's. ...and all the "micro-license" stuff, KZfaq, Tic-Tok, ...I am doing just what you recommended; studying the industry, looking for what approach to take...been mastering mixing skills with good advice, and Praying a lot!!👍

Hello from Cape Breton, NS. I just recently found your channel and I'm enjoying your videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. I've been writing songs since the 80s (mostly ballads), so switching my mindset from telling a story with words to telling a story with music is going to be a big change. Learning about sync licensing and all it entails is a bit intimidating... but if it was easy everyone would be doing it. Lol

I've learned a lot from you, and I'm not getting tracks accepted and placed both in a trailer library and a more direct to TV library as well. Thanks so much for all the great advice over the years!

Many thanks for sharing your insight and hindsight Marlon...Most appreciated from over here in the UK...All the best to you in music and beyond

Number 4 is absolutely crucial! I'd say even limit it to 10

Good information and advice thanks 🙏🏿

Starting from scratch! 🤷‍♀️

Thank you for this man!

Will you be at NAMM this year? I'm hosting the best hour long sync panel ever featuring 7 of the top sync licensing artists in the game! :)

Always great advice my friend!! Happy for all of your success. You deserve it brother.

Some great advice for someone just entering into sync licensing

Thanks this helps a lot keep the info coming our way is much appreciated it. 🙏🏼⚡️

People skills AND business skills!! 🤦 Looks like I have some work to do. Thanks, Marlon! And I know this is a little late, but welcome back!

Love these videos man. You have a very positive energy and it really helps!

Thanks Marlon! This was super helpful!

dope!

amazing content!

I am the 500th 👍 And thanks for sharing the knowledge ❤

Points well expressed... thank you for posting :)

Your Audio is up n down it is clear but some time unable to heard

This is great advice, even without having to start over, its a good idea to take stock of where I am with every item of your list. Thanks Marlon!

Well said Marlon your always dropping wisdom. I appreciate U brother.

How u get metadata for your track when u submit to a library without DSP? How would a PRO know your track is being used if u give a library raw files?

Thank you, Marlon! Do you do 1 on 1 coaching?

yea you giving up a few platforms tho , i see your point , but you will not have registered music js

Such a wonderful, generous offer, Marlon...!!! I am relating to " organic" Being aware of a longer game and being patient, fabulous advice. Perfect timing to hear this today. Some days I'm sure, other days, I get hesitant, not knowing fully, my brand. I think doing this for only one year(recording, composing,producing) after years of just playing Symphonies, I need to take time to know what this new Brand I'm developing actually is..... Thank you!!!

Quick question do you have to summit ur tracks to bmi or can I start to summit after I sign up with bmi? Any one know?