Introduction
This proposal outlines the creation of an independent online composition business, specialising in compositions for mixed media including films, TV, games, and other digital media. This would be aimed at clients in need of film composers for various media, as music is often vital in a majority of media formats.
The business would operate on a pay-per-minute model based on the duration of a scene or media, with additional costs for extra production requirements such as live recordings, stem separation, and orchestration. This would be a small business consisting primarily of myself but could potentially expand to include other composers who may wish to use the established platform to promote their work for a small fee.
Description of Product/Service
The service would include a variety of options for clients to choose from, including but not limited to:
- original soundtrack composition
- mixing/mastering
- remote collaboration
- custom scores for:
- short films
- YouTube
- indie games
- podcasts
- adverts
Each of these services would have predetermined base rates, but pricing could be adjusted depending on project size, time limit, and the level of skill and effort required.
I would also consider the client’s situation, as an up-and-coming independent filmmaker would have vastly different budget constraints compared to an established YouTuber with a larger audience requiring a more extensive catalogue of music.
The growth of independent media production has significantly increased demand for accessible, original music services across multiple digital platforms. ¹
Market Analysis & Market Research
The market for freelance film composition and similar digital services has changed significantly over time. Media production itself is vastly different from earlier periods; originally, films were silent and accompanied by live orchestras, followed by television broadcasting which offered limited channels and restricted use of musical scoring. In contrast, the modern era sees vast quantities of media being uploaded daily across platforms such as YouTube and streaming services, demonstrating continuous industry expansion.
This growth is a key reason this business model is viable. Content creators are increasingly investing in high-quality production, including professional editing and original music, to improve audience engagement and presentation value. The importance of musical scoring in media is now widely recognised as a tool for emotional impact and branding.
The creative industries in the UK have also been steadily growing and continue to contribute significantly to the national economy. This indicates strong market stability and long-term potential for creative freelance work, particularly in digitally delivered services.
It is also increasingly evident that composers with strong online digital presence are more likely to succeed within the industry. Maintaining a portfolio website and active social media presence has become essential for attracting clients and building trust. This suggests that digital branding and networking are now as important as musical ability within the contemporary creative industries. ³
Competitor Analysis
The freelance film composition market is highly competitive due to the accessibility of home studio setups and digital freelance platforms such as Fiverr and YouTube. Many composers can now produce high-quality music independently using affordable equipment, or more advanced setups depending on financial resources. Combined with the ease of self-promotion online, this creates a saturated and competitive market.
However, due to this saturation, many composers are forced into highly competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround expectations, which can result in less personalised and lower-quality work. The proposed business would therefore focus on personalised, collaborative projects and original compositions, prioritising communication and understanding of media over speed and cost alone.
Another major competitor is library music and copyright-free music services. These platforms offer quick and affordable access to pre-made music through searchable databases. While efficient, they lack creative collaboration and personalised composition opportunities. ⁴
In contrast, this business would also incorporate elements of library-style music production, offering both bespoke compositions and accessible pre-made tracks. This hybrid approach would allow for competitive pricing for smaller projects while still offering higher-value custom work for larger productions.
Operational & Resource Requirements
The resources required for this business are straightforward, as I already have access to the necessary tools due to my background in film composition. These include digital audio workstations (DAWs), MIDI controllers, sample libraries, VST instruments, studio monitors, headphones, audio interfaces, and potentially video editing or game design software.
All these tools are already owned and regularly upgraded, which increases the potential quality and range of services offered.
The operational side of the business includes legal and administrative requirements such as website/domain setup, contracts, copyright management, licensing agreements, and self-employment or small business taxation. These processes ensure compliance with industry standards and intellectual property law, particularly in relation to music licensing and usage rights. ⁵
Marketing & Promotional Plan
The marketing and promotional strategy will focus on building a strong online presence through social media platforms and engagement within independent film and digital media communities. As this business operates within the creative industries, personal branding and online identity are essential for attracting clients and establishing credibility.
A professional website will act as the central hub of the business, highlighting a portfolio of compositions, showreels, client testimonials, pricing information, and contact details. ⁶
Pricing Strategy
Pricing will be formatted in a simple and reasonable way as demonstrated below, I will also be stating that this is subject to change and negotiation depending on the project size and type.
| Service | Estimated Price Range |
| 1 minute custom score | £50–£100 |
| Short film soundtrack | £200–£800 |
| Podcast intro/outro music | £40–£120 |
| Mixing & mastering | £30–£80 |
This structure allows smaller creators to access affordable services while ensuring larger projects are priced according to their size, complexity, and requirements.
Future Development
This business has strong potential for future development due to continued growth in the creative and digital media industries. It could expand into a collective or studio model employing multiple composers under a unified brand or alternatively develop into specialist areas such as indie game scoring or library music production.
As the business grows, industry contacts and networking opportunities will increase, potentially leading to larger-budget projects or more established media collaborations.
Collaborative aspects
Throughout this project I worked with my course mates to produce different Ideas that I have presented throughout my work. One peer suggested my table displaying my pricing and suggested some ideas on price ranges and being adaptable for different purposes. Another Suggested the personalisation of my proposal as it would be easy to adapt into numerous styles that could increase potential business. Finally, the core concept of using online domains to create and promote a business was a collaboration between myself and another peer who wanted to do something related record labels which allowed for a lot of transferable ideas to be shared between us and inspire my proposal that I have created.
Conclusion
This proposal presents a clear and viable business model for an independent online film composition service. By combining high-quality bespoke composition with flexible pricing, digital marketing strategies, and a strong online presence, the business aims to provide accessible and professional music services across multiple media industries. The continued growth of digital content creation further supports the long-term sustainability of this enterprise.
Bibliography:
¹ Composer Jawn (2023) ‘How to Become a Film Composer’, Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/@composerjawn/how-to-become-a-film-composer-24203646aa26 (accessed 3rd May 2026).
³ HubSpot, Digital Marketing Strategy Guide (2025) https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/marketing-strategy?hubs_content=blog.hubspot.com%2F404&hubs_content-cta=smart404-How%2520to%2520Create%2520a%2520Complete%2520Marketing%2520Strategy%2520%255BData%2520%252B%2520Expert%2520Tips%255D (accessed 14 May 2026)
⁴ Start Up Loans, Business Plan Template and Guide (2025) https://www.startuploans.co.uk/business-plan-template/ (accessed 14 May 2026).
⁵ PRS for Music, Music Licensing and Royalties (2026) https://www.prsformusic.com/ (accessed 14 May 2026).
⁶ Berklee Online (2026) How to create music merch to grow your brand. Available at: https://online.berklee.edu/takenote/how-to-create-music-merch-to-grow-your-brand/ (Accessed: 14 May 2026).
