A company wants to license my music for ads...

I got a surprising email today from (national lifestyle brand), you know... The kind that sells $200 sweaters to hip kids. They want to license my music for a new ad campaign. WHAT DO I DO? How much $ do I ask for? I mean, if they're selling $200 sweaters I have no qualms reaching for the sky with my usage fee. It sure would be nice to get a Headstrong Lift kit or a set of FN Wheels on my truck or BOTH

 

ur prolly not gonna get more than u ask for, i would keep that in mind. asking for too much will only get u a "thats too much" or a counter offer. but if u ask for too little thats gonna be the amount they give u. my $.02

 

Get a lawyer.

 

Nahhh, not country. Some weird, reverberated, jangly destined surf rock. Talked with the head of my label. He gave good advice for standard rates, negotiating, etc. He's done work with some pretty big ad campaigns.

 

YESSSS.

 

I would start hopping on music forums and find people who have any experience in this area. Ask a ton of questions, how long is the add campain? How many ads? Projected audience? Gotta think too, if a good sized add campain is going to use your music you can get some good exposure and get more opprotunities.

A
Lawyer might be helpful to decipher the contract so you don't get ripped apart.