Earning as a Songwriter: How to Leverage Platforms Like Songtradr for Sync Licensing

Many independent artists think the only way to make money is through Spotify streams or live shows. But there is a "hidden" economy in the music industry: Sync Licensing.

Sync (short for synchronization) is when your music is used in a movie, a Netflix series, a video game, or a Nike commercial. As a songwriter with a "Grounded and Humble" brand, your lyrics and melodies are assets. Here is how I use platforms like Songtradr to earn in Dollars and Pounds while I sleep.

1. What is Sync Licensing?

When a music supervisor for a show like Top Boy or a brand like MTN Nigeria needs a song, they don't always go to Burna Boy. They look for high-quality independent music that fits a "vibe."

The Upfront Fee: You get paid a "sync fee" just for them to use the song.

The Residuals: You earn performance royalties every time that show or ad airs on TV globally.

2. Setting Up on Songtradr

Songtradr is one of the world’s largest music licensing marketplaces.

The Profile: Upload your best tracks. Ensure you have the instrumental versions ready—music supervisors often want the beat without the vocals for background scenes.

Metadata is King: If your song sounds like "Afrobeats," "Chill," or "Motivational," tag it correctly. Supervisors search by "mood," not just genre.

3. The Power of "Clean" Ownership

To get a sync deal, you must prove you own 100% of the song or have permission from everyone involved.

The Scorti Tip: If you used a "type beat" from YouTube, ensure you have the Unlimited/Professional License. A "Basic" lease will get your song rejected for sync because you don't own the commercial rights.

Split Sheets: Keep your paperwork grounded. If a producer in Lagos helped you, ensure their name is on the Songtradr metadata so everyone gets paid fairly.

4. Writing for "The Brief"

Sometimes, you shouldn't just upload old songs. Look at the "Opportunities" tab on Songtradr or Taxi.com.

The Brief: A brand might say: "We need a high-energy Afropop track about 'Renewed Hope' for a 30-second commercial."

The Hustle: Write a song specifically for that brief. This is how "career songwriters" build wealth—by solving a problem for a brand.

5. Other Platforms to Explore

While I highly recommend Songtradr for its ease of use, you can also look into:

Audio Network: Great for high-end TV and documentary placements.

Musicbed: Excellent for cinematic and "lifestyle" content creators.

Sentric Music: They help manage your publishing and actively pitch your music to scouts in the UK and Europe.

Final Thought

Streaming pays in pennies, but sync pays in thousands. By positioning yourself as a songwriter and not just a "singer," you open doors to global revenue. Your music is a business; treat it like one.

Post Metadata for Blogger:

Search Description:

Visit Songtradr to start your profile and see active licensing "Wanted" listings.

Comments

Privacy vs. Fame: Why Public Figures Should Guard Their Personal Lives in 2026

I n the age of 24/7 Instagram Stories and TikTok "Get Ready With Me" videos, the line between being a public figure and being a public property has vanished. For many creators, the pressure to share everything—from their breakfast to their breakups—is constant. As an artist navigating the UK and Nigeria, I’ve seen how "clout" can quickly turn into a "curse." Building the Scorti-Samuel brand has taught me that the most powerful thing you can own in 2026 isn't a viral video; it’s your Privacy. 1. The "Mystery" Factor in Branding Look at the legends of the music industry. From Wizkid to Sade, there is an air of mystery that keeps fans intrigued. The Problem: If you share every detail of your life, you become "common." There is no surprise left for the music. The Scorti Way: I share my "Documenting My Fits" series because it's about my craft and aesthetic. But I keep my family, my struggles, and my "offline" mo...

Scorti Samuel: Biography, Blog Highlights & Latest Updates | Nigerian Blogger & Content Creator Profile

What's the meaning of Scorti-Samuel ? How the name came to be! I loved to play ⚽ at my leisure time. There was so much energy, the youthful drive!, and the opportunity to play. It was pure grace. I started playing as early as age 5, even joining school's soccer team. When I first started learning to play the basics, I would lose goals on attempt and then school team mates would rather jokingly say "he can't score" Literally in their native pronunciation it would be "oh score ti?" It was born out of the chantings that I couldn't just score. I took on the challenge to use their downing name to making sure I got better as a person, they Literally gave me the starting that I needed of Which I truly now appreciate. All the challenge had now brought out a focused youth or young lad going for the goal. I would basically attend many trainings just to get better. Soon I had scored my first team goal in this new team I had recently being teemed with from a...

Temu Review 2025: Shopping Experience, Deals, Safety & Reviews | Is Temu Legit? Best Temu Alternatives in Nigeria

Temu Temu is a China-based online marketplace that offers heavily discounted consumer goods, primarily shipped directly from manufacturers in China . Launched by parent company PDD Holdings in 2022, Temu has grown rapidly to become a major player in global e-commerce. It operates a marketplace model, connecting third-party sellers directly with customers. Business model and costs Temu's ultra-low prices are primarily achieved by connecting customers directly with manufacturers, eliminating the costs associated with middlemen and traditional retail. The company also leveraged a U.S. customs loophole, the de minimis rule, to avoid customs duties on low-value imports, though this rule has been closed in U.S. markets as of 2025. Safety and reliability Legitimacy: Temu is a legitimate company that delivers real products to customers. However, customer experiences can be mixed. Product quality: Quality can be inconsistent, as ma...

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Cast, Episodes, Quotes & Nostalgia | Classic TV Show Review

T he Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a beloved American sitcom that originally aired from 1990 to 1996. The show revolves around Will Smith, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia, who moves to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in Bel-Air, Los Angeles. The series explores themes of class differences, identity and cultural nuances, showcasing Will's humorous experiences as he navigates his new life. * Main Characters :* - *Will Smith* (played by Will Smith): The main character, a street-smart teenager from Philadelphia. - *Philip Banks* (played by James Avery): Will's uncle, a wealthy lawyer. - *Vivian Banks* (played by Janet Hubert-Whitten and Daphne Maxwell Reid): Will's aunt, a loving and supportive figure. - *Carlton Banks* (played by Alfonso Ribeiro): Will's cousin, known for his stiff dancing and uptight personality. - *Hilary Banks* (played by Karyn Parsons): Will's cousin, a spoiled and fashionable young woman. - *Ashley Banks* (played by Tatyana M. A...

make money with money online

Blogging for beginners book 7days To Profitable Blogging B logging for beginners involves choosing a platform, niche, and name, then setting up your blog, writing content, and promoting it. It's also crucial to understand your target audience and use a blogging strategy to build a following and potentially monetize your blog. Learn The Simple Blueprint To Successfully Starting a Profitable Monetized Blog In Just 7 Days! MOST blogs fail because their owners start out badly, and continue to make mistakes. By the time they realize what's gone wrong, they would be quicker restarting!" Download Now For Only $3.59

Fashion Nova

Nutree Professional Fashionova Nigeria Fashion Nova is a US-based fast-fashion brand known for its trendy, affordable clothing for women, men, and children . The company operates primarily online and is particularly famous for its aggressive and effective social media marketing strategy, leveraging influencers and a high-speed production model. Company overview Headquarters: Los Angeles, California. Founded: The company was founded by CEO Richard Saghian in 2006, with its first store opening in a Los Angeles mall. Online expansion: Fashion Nova launched its e-commerce website in 2013, which is now its primary sales channel. Retail locations: The brand has a small number of physical stores, all located in Southern California. Signature marketing and products Fashion Nova's rise to prominence can be attributed to its mastery of social media and its ultra-fast fashion business model. Influencer-driven marketing: T...

Meghan Trainor: Biography, Top Songs, Albums & Awards | Pop Music Star & Songwriter Profile

Meghan Trainor: A Spotlight on the Pop Sensation Meghan Trainor is a multi-talemented singer, songwriter, and producer who has taken the music industry by storm with her unique blend of pop, doo-wop, and R&B. Born on December 22, 1993, in Nantucket, Massachusetts, Trainor's passion for music was evident from a young age. * Early Life and Career * Growing up in a musical family, Trainor began writing songs at the age of 11 and was influenced by artists like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. She released her debut album, "Title," in 2015, which included the hit singles "All About That Bass" and "Lips Are Movin." * Breakthrough and Success * Trainor's breakthrough single, "All About That Bass," became a global phenomenon, topping the charts in multiple countries and selling over 11 million copies worldwide. The song's message of body positivity and self-acceptance resonated with fans worldwide. * Musical Style and Influences * Tra...

play back music

Music Supervision Music supervisors play a crucial role in film and TV. They curate soundtracks that enhance the viewing experience. What do you think about the role of music supervisors? Share your thoughts! or submit your music for placement using the contact form.

Go Fund Me: Art Support

Musical Maverick Blending Genre's With Panache Biography Like one attached to a family at birth who had sworn that they would rather die than see him ever rise, the indie artist continues to defy genre conventions with each new releases. Name switched at birth to Oluwamuyiwa Abiodun is a mystery like a boy weaned from his mother having her discarded with forceful power and wealth. Real birth name "Olajide O. Oluwamuyiwa" He grew in the hands of disparage foster parent's as it likely seemed who hid his real identify for inheritance he would never really have access to except they released it to him or told him of it thus making him pass through fire, a spiritual wickedness defying destinies and triumphing over glory. Scorti-Samuel as a boy although many says "he always hides himself from the world because he appears bigger than they imagine him". However his desire to become something without the house hold name took him pursuing Godliness, faith , h...

ilovepdf

P DF stands for Portable Document Format. It's a file format used to present documents reliably, independent of the software, hardware, or operating system used to create them. Key Features of PDFs - *Platform Independence*: PDFs can be viewed and printed on any device, regardless of the operating system or software used to create them. - *Layout Preservation*: PDFs preserve the layout, formatting, and graphics of the original document. - *Security*: PDFs can be encrypted and password-protected to ensure secure sharing and viewing of sensitive information. - *Accessibility*: PDFs can be made accessible to people with disabilities by including tags and other accessibility features. Uses of PDFs - *Document Sharing*: PDFs are widely used for sharing documents, such as reports, invoices, and contracts. - *E-books and Publications*: PDFs are often used for digital publications, such as e-books, magazines, and newspapers. - *Forms and Templates*: PDFs can be used to create fillable fo...

Search This Blog