Inside the Music Sync Business with Elyse Schiller
5/25/202624 min
How do songs get placed in Netflix shows, commercials, films, and video games - and how much money can musicians actually make from music sync licensing? In this episode, Mirav talks with music sync licensing expert Elise Schiller about the business behind sync deals, music placements, and licensing songs for TV, film, streaming, advertising, and gaming.
Elise explains how songs are pitched to music supervisors, what makes a track “syncable,” how sync licensing deals work, and why one placement can completely change an independent artist’s career.
If you want to explore more creative careers, from musician and sculptor to Broadway wig makers, photographers, TV producer, and many more check out our Creative Jobs Category where you'll find interviews, salaries breakdown, and real stories from people making a living doing creative work.
Connect with Elyse:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emschiller/
Website: https://www.gsmfiera.com/
"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!
Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsElise Schiller· Guest0:00
[upbeat music] We had a New Jersey band, Rock 'N Scroll, that it was a rock band that had no social media presence, and we had a placement on Virgin River and their numbers went sky-high, and this happens all the time.
Mirav Ozeri· Host0:16
Hi, welcome back to How Much Can I Make?, the podcast about careers and jobs. I'm your host, Mirva Azeri. Before we start, I'd like to mention that next week's show is about the business of franchising. If you wanna know how franchising work, tune in. You don't wanna miss it. But this week, we dive into another hidden side of business most people never think about, sync licensing in the music industry. How song ends up in Netflix shows, commercials, video games, and major ad campaigns. Music sync expert Elise Schiller takes us behind the scene of one of the most competitive and fascinating corner of the music industry. So let's turn to my conversation with Elise. [upbeat music] First of all, Elise, thank you so much for joining the show. I'm so happy to have you here. I was really curious about the syncing business.
Elise Schiller· Guest1:12
Well, I'm happy to be here, and that's what I do. [laughs] That's a big part of what I do is sync.
Mirav Ozeri· Host1:16
But before we get into the syncing, you've been in the music industry for a while doing different things, correct?
Elise Schiller· Guest1:23
Uh, yeah, since I was a little girl really, I was performing in San Francisco, in shows