Licensing my songs

[npatton]

Hey, everyone. Looking for a pointer in the right direction...

Just finished playing a big bridal show here in Eugene. I'm getting some interest from wedding videographers in using some of my original music in their clients' videos. What's the usual procedure here? I'd rather not sell them one CD, then have my music show up in 100 wedding videos for no additional $ (albeit with a credit mentioning my name).

Any books or websites I could check out (so y'all aren't having to hold my hand)?

Thanks!

Yours,
n

[nvrsay]

My personal experience is that you negotiate a contract for licensing fees. I've done music for film makers on corporate work where they pay me a fee for limited usage of my music. So much per cue. Depends on the budget of the project as to what I was paid per song. An average usage fee I've collected is $200 to $300 per cue.
(these are not 'songs" so to speak, no vocals, just instrumentals that sit behind narration or talking)
I have to trust these film makers that they won't use my music again on another project without checking with me first and paying me again. I also include a clause in the contract that requires a credit and stipulates how that credit should read.
Your situation is one where they are making money off each usage of your music with various customers so you need to work out a licensing fee that compensates you for multiple uses of the songs. A royalty situation would be nice but you have no way of knowing when they're using it and then collecting the royalty.
There are "library" cd's of music that companies/studios/producers buy that allow them to use the music as much as they want. Those are typically at least several hundred dollars and up depending on the music or sound effects. Similar to sample cd's that allow usage of audio clips once you buy the cd.
Much depends on what they sell their videos for to the clients. They won't want to pay too large a percentage of their total take for the use of your songs.
Would $500 per song, unlimited usage of licensed music for the videographer be pushing it? Or is that a steal for them? Talk to them and see what they're thinking. Also, maybe just license 2 to 4 songs, not a 12 song cd.
Hope this is of some help.
Frank Z