7 Ways to Lose a Custom Spot

This month’s blog is geared towards artists - whether you’re part of the Crucial Custom roster or not! Music licensing is one of the few remaining ways for recording artists to make money, and the competition is always growing. And while your primary concern should be continually creating excellent, licensable music, much of your success often depends on your attention to details outside of the music. When you get an opportunity to create custom music, you simply can’t afford to make these simple mistakes.
Here are 7 quick and easy ways to LOSE a potential custom project placement!

Not reading instructions: This is the #1 problem we encounter with artists, and the easiest to prevent! Consistently taking the time to read the client’s brief carefully, as well as any instructions on music delivery or format, will put you ahead of a huge number of artists!
Using Pre-existing music: Like all custom music services, Crucial Custom is about creating brand new tracks, custom-fit to the client’s request. Even if you have a track in your back catalog that will fit perfectly, custom clients are looking for pieces no one has heard before – that they can build a new brand or campaign around. On top of that, if the track is already with another catalog, it will cause major issues if the client wants to use the track exclusively or purchase it. Simply put, to use pre-existing music is to directly disregard what a client is asking for – not a good way to start a working relationship.
Not thinking visually: In many cases, the client will supply a video with the project – if you don’t study it carefully, it’s game over! The timing of your track must be exact, and the tone of the visual will give you a much better idea of the tone of the music.
 Missing the deadline: This one’s simple – leave yourself enough time to complete the project, because deadlines in the TV and film industries are no joke – kiss your chances goodbye!
Not being available: When it comes to custom projects, the hours or days after your first submission can be a crucial time – this is when clients often request revisions or tweaks. While it’s impossible to address every single request immediately, make sure you’re checking your e-mail and keeping an eye on things. You don’t want to lose a pitch because you forgot to charge your phone!
Skimping on quality: Clients looking for custom projects are not looking for demos – everything needs to be broadcast-ready! If you don’t have the capability to produce TV and film-quality material on your own, custom work may not be for you – studio time is expensive, and there is no guarantee of a return.
Not considering your co-writers: Bringing a co-writer on to a custom project isn’t as easy as it sounds! There are NDAs and work for hire forms to be signed, and you need to straighten everything out before you start! Don’t make assumptions about the project or your writers – ask lots of questions if need be!

Avoiding these 7 pitfalls won’t guarantee you a placement, but by paying attention to detail, you’ll be at the front of the pack before the race even begins! Good luck!

If you're looking for custom music for your TV, film, or ad project, be sure to check out CrucialCustom.