If you have an account with Lisn to supply music to our database then you’ll have noticed a field which allows you to add ‘tags’ and lyrical keywords to your songs while uploading. This article will explain in more detail the benefits of tagging your tracks and some tips on good tagging.

The key role of tags is to help flag up the most appropriate music to potential licensees. This is one of the most common ways that people search for music on the Lisn website. The more relevant and accurate tags you include, the easier it is for potential licensees to find the right track (and hopefully your track) as the solution to their requirements. If you have no keyword tags then your tracks will not appear at all if the client performs a keyword search.

So, what should you include in your tags to improve the chance of your music being discovered:

Lyrical keywords – select the main descriptive words in the song. Avoid using natural language phrases such as ‘and’ and ‘on’. If any words can be spelt in more than one want (eg ‘realize’ instead of ‘realise’ for the American and Canadian spelling) then it is worth including both variations.

Moods & Feelings – what are the main moods that the music conveys, e.g. light, springtime, fresh, dawn, happy – this helps to provide extra context to the default timbre options.

Instruments and FX – be more specific about which instruments or sounds are used in the track, e.g. steel drum, cowbell, wah, phaser.

Sounds like – a licensee may be looking for music which bears resemblance to another artist, e.g. Arctic Monkeys, Thievery Corporation, Aphex Twin.

Other references – don’t be afraid to think laterally, but always keep the tags relevant to the music or the listener will lose faith that you can provide what they are looking for. Examples could be words which associate with your music such as journey, travelling or relationship even if the song title or lyrics themselves don’t include these words.

You don’t need to go over-board with huge lists of tags – a well thought selection of the most pertinent feelings, references and lyrics that best reflect the track will be just as effective and give your music a better chance of standing out. And it only takes a couple of minutes while you wait for you music to upload!

If you’d like more information on tagging or advice on any other part of Lisn’s uploading process please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.