Leveraging Background Music for Exposure and Royalties

In an age where digital platforms dominate music discovery, many artists overlook a powerful and consistent income stream—licensing music for use in commercial spaces. Background music in businesses like cafés, restaurants, hotels, retail shops, and even spas isn't just about ambiance—it’s an opportunity for artists to gain exposure and earn royalties.

Why Background Music in Businesses Matters

For businesses, music isn’t just filler—it’s a branding tool. A well-curated playlist can influence customer behavior, encourage longer stays, and create an emotional connection with a brand. For musicians, this means regular, repeated exposure to a diverse audience in a public setting—something that few streaming platforms can replicate at scale.

Understand the Licensing Framework in the U.S.

In the United States, the use of music in public or commercial spaces requires a public performance license. Businesses typically secure these licenses through one or more of the major Performing Rights Organizations (PROs):

• ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
• BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)
• SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors and Composers)
• GMR (Global Music Rights)

These PROs collect performance royalties from businesses and distribute them to registered songwriters, composers, and publishers.

For Artists: Register Your Works

To benefit from this system:

• Make sure your songs are registered with at least one U.S. PRO.
• Keep your metadata accurate and up to date (title, co-writers, publisher info).
• Register all alternate versions and arrangements of your songs if they’re played in different formats (instrumental, remix, etc.).

Get Your Music into Background Music Services

Many businesses use third-party services like Soundtrack to source and curate their background music legally. These platforms typically license tracks directly from labels, artists, or aggregators, then pay PROs for public performance rights. Some also negotiate sync and master rights directly.

To get your music placed:

• Submit your music directly to these services if they accept submissions.
• Partner with a licensing agency or music library that has established relationships with these platforms.
• Ensure your tracks are high-quality, clean (or offer clean edits), and suitable for public spaces.

Soundtrack has a helpful guide for artists to walk them through what artists need to know about music streaming in a business setting.

Prepare Your Music for Commercial Use

Before submitting your tracks to background music services, make sure they’re professionally mixed and mastered for consistent playback across various sound systems—from high-end retail speakers to hotel lobby setups. Good mastering ensures your track holds up in different environments and doesn’t sound too quiet, distorted, or bass-heavy.

Clean intros, fade-outs, and radio edits (no profanity or harsh transitions) are strongly preferred by curators selecting tracks for public use.

Tap into Royalty Streams

When your music is used in commercial environments, you can earn:

• Performance Royalties: Paid out by PROs based on usage reports.
• Micro-Sync Royalties: Some platforms negotiate sync rights for public use, which can yield additional income.
• Upfront Licensing Fees: If a company directly licenses your music, you may receive an upfront fee as well as backend royalties.

While tracking usage can be tricky due to blanket licensing, consistent placement across multiple businesses increases your chances of regular royalty payouts.

Increase Exposure Beyond Streaming

Placement in commercial venues offers artists the kind of ambient exposure that sticks. Think of it as modern-day radio—except instead of hearing your song once on a drive, someone might hear it daily while grabbing coffee, shopping, or dining out. This can lead to:

• Shazam or playlist searches by curious customers.
• Increased streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.
• Social media mentions if your song stands out in the moment.

To capitalize on this exposure:

• Make sure your songs are easily discoverable online.
• Maintain consistent branding across music platforms and social media.
• Link your PRO profile to your music website or electronic press kit (EPK) for licensing inquiries.

Final Thoughts

Licensing background music to U.S. businesses offers a unique blend of visibility and revenue for artists, producers, and rights holders. It may not have the instant glamor of viral streaming success, but it’s a steady, scalable income stream that rewards consistency and professionalism.

By registering your works, targeting commercial music providers, and tracking your royalties, you can turn passive listening environments into active income channels. Background music might just be the most underrated strategy in your music career toolkit.