Once your track is added to a music library, royalties won’t start coming in immediately. It typically takes about 3 months for the collection process to begin. Here’s what you need to know:
When Will I Start Receiving Royalties?
Royalties start accruing about 3 months after your track is in the library. However, this only happens if your track has been placed in media (sync placements). If your track hasn’t been synced, there won’t be any royalties to collect—similar to how streaming works: no plays, no pay.
Why Does It Take Time?
Sync placements are unpredictable. You might see a significant payout in one quarter and nothing in the next, or receive steady smaller amounts over time. It’s common for sync royalties to fluctuate. One placement can bring a large revenue spike, while others might take time to generate.
Delays with PRO Royalties
Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) can take a long time to collect royalties. While we begin collecting 3 months after a track enters a library, don't expect the full royalty amount for at least a year. Think of PRO royalties like investing in the S&P 500—it’s pretty uneventful in the beginning, but over time, it adds up and can become significant. PROs gather and distribute royalties slowly, so patience is key.
The Advantage of That Pitch
While sync licensing is still unpredictable, the advantage of using That Pitch is that we speed up the process by making your music available in as many music libraries (i.e. "stores") as possible. By diversifying where your music is being sold, we expand your potential to land sync placements. The more customers who see your music, the better your chances of getting placements. Over time, this can create more consistency because your music is in front of a wide variety of potential buyers.
What Should I Do If I Don’t See Royalties Right Away?
It’s best to set it and forget it. Royalties will show up in your PRO account when your track earns sync revenue, but remember that this process takes time. Sync licensing is a long-term game, and patience will pay off in the end.
Important Tips:
- Upfront payments are always made through our site.
- PROs will collect everything related to your track’s placements, but it will take a while for the money to be delivered to your bank account. Rest assured, it will get delivered.
- Do not contact the music library directly to ask about payments—this could get you blacklisted. Libraries prefer working with us so they don’t have to handle direct financial inquiries from artists.
By keeping this timeline in mind and leveraging the broad reach of That Pitch, you'll have the best chance of maximizing sync opportunities and creating long-term consistency with your music placements.