Music Publishing: How Musicians Earn Beyond Record Sales
How exactly does an artist earn from their songs besides record sales? You might be surprised to learn that there’s a whole system in place to help musicians earn money from their creations – it’s called music publishing. Don’t let the fancy term scare you! This article is your guide to understanding music publishing in a clear and simple way. We’ll break down what it is, how it works, and the different ways you can actually make money from your music.
What is Music Publishing and How Does it Work?
There’s a common misconception that music creation solely revolves around recordings. But here’s the secret: a song has two distinct parts – the sound recording which is the actual audio you hear and the composition itself which is the melody, lyrics, and musical arrangement. And, there will be a copyright on both parts.
Music publishing focuses on the composition side of things. It protects the underlying music, the blueprint that brings your song to life. This means that whenever someone uses your composition ie plays it on the radio, streams it online, or includes it in a movie, you’re entitled to royalties – a fancy term for payments you receive for people using your music.
Key Players in Music Publishing
Now, let’s talk about the key players in the music publishing world:
- You, the Songwriter/Composer: You’re the mastermind behind the music. You create the melody, lyrics, and overall structure of the song.
- Music Publisher: Think of them as your music business partners. They handle the legal stuff – registering your songs with copyright authorities, collecting royalties on your behalf worldwide, and potentially licensing your music for films, commercials, or video games. In return, they take a percentage of the royalties they collect.
- Performing Rights Organizations (PROs): These are non-profit organizations that track whenever your song is played publicly (radio, TV, live performances), and then collect and distribute royalties to you. You need to sign up with a PRO in your country to receive these royalties.
Earning from Your Music: The Different Types of Royalties
Imagine you wrote a killer song, and now people everywhere are listening to it. But how do you make money from all those plays? That’s where music publishers come in. They’re like your music business cheerleaders, working behind the scenes to collect royalties whenever someone uses your song.
There are three main types of royalties music publishers can collect for you, no matter where in the world your music is being heard:
- Performance Royalties: This is like getting paid every time your song is played in public, like on the radio, at a concert, or even in a restaurant. Basically, whenever people are enjoying your music out and about, you earn performance royalties.
- Mechanical Royalties: Remember those times your song gets downloaded or streamed online? Every time that happens, you get a mechanical royalty. It’s like a small fee for someone using your song to create a copy, whether it’s digital or physical (like a CD).
- Sync Licensing Royalties: Ever heard your song in a movie, commercial, or video game? That’s called syncing, and whenever that happens, you earn sync licensing royalties. Basically, you’re getting paid for letting someone use your music in their project.
So, the bottom line is this: music publishers track how your music is being used and collect royalties for each way – live performances, downloads, or even movie soundtracks!
Collecting music royalties can be tricky. Imagine hundreds of different organizations such as PRO’s around the world, each responsible for a specific type of royalty your music might earn. It’s a lot to keep track of, especially for musicians with fewer songs. This can lead to money you deserve going unclaimed. That’s where a music publisher steps in – they handle the complicated stuff, making sure you get all the royalties you deserve for your music.They know the system and work with special organizations worldwide that collect royalties. These publishers have years of experience finding all the places your music might earn money.
Music Publishers vs Performing Rights Organizations (PROs): What's the Difference?
Music publishers and Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) are both involved in helping musicians earn money from their music, but they play different roles.
Music publishers focus on the composition of a song, the blueprint behind the music. They handle things like registering copyrights, collecting royalties from different countries, and potentially licensing your music for films or commercials. They’re like business partners who help you maximize the earning potential of your music.
On the other hand, PROs concentrate on public performances of your song. They track whenever your song is played on the radio, TV, or live concerts, and then collect and distribute royalties to you. You need to sign up with a PRO in your country to receive these public performance royalties such as the Indian Performing Rights Society in India. However, it is important to note that they do not collect mechanical royalties. But the music publisher does on behalf of the artist.
Choosing the Right Publishing Deal
When it comes to music publishing deals, you have a few choices:
- Full Publishing Deal: This is basically handing over all the rights to your music to a publisher. They’ll handle everything – promotion, money upfront, and finding opportunities for your songs. But this also means they get a bigger cut of the money your music earns. This deal is good for new artists who need help getting started, but it means less control over your music.
- Co-Publishing Deal: This is like a partnership with a publisher. You both own a share of the rights to your music and split the money earned. The publisher will still help you promote your songs and find opportunities, but you’ll have more control over your music than with a full deal. This is the most common type of deal these days.
- Administration Deal: This is where the publisher basically acts like a helper. They’ll register your songs with collection societies so you get paid whenever they’re played publicly, but they don’t get involved in promotion or finding opportunities. This is a good option for independent artists who want to keep control of their music but need help collecting royalties.
So, the choice depends on what’s most important to you: giving up some control for more help (full deal), working together with a partner (co-publishing), or keeping full control but doing more work yourself (administration).
Finding the Perfect Music Publisher: 6 Key Considerations
Now that you know what music publishing is, what should you look out for?
- Know Your Goals:
Before diving in, figure out what you want. Do you dream of movie soundtracks or recordings by big artists? Having a clear goal will help you find a publisher who specializes in making those dreams come true. - Do Your Research:
Look for publishers who specialize in your music style. Check out their websites and social media – what kind of promotion do they do? Ask other musicians or industry folks for recommendations too. - Understand Their Business:
Publishers have different ways of making money. Some take a commission (percentage) from earnings, while others might charge a fee upfront. Make sure you understand their system before signing anything. - Connections Matter:
Think of a publisher as your industry insider! Look for someone with connections to record labels, music supervisors, and other key players. These connections can be a huge boost for your career. - Responsive is Important:
Communication is key! You want a publisher who readily answers your questions and offers guidance. Slow replies or lack of communication are red flags. - Location:
While the music industry is global, a local publisher can be an advantage. They might have connections in your area that can help you build your career, think of local venues and radio stations. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but something to consider.
If you’re looking for the right music publisher for your art, check out musifie.
Remember, music publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. Building a successful career takes time, dedication, and a solid understanding of the business side of things. But with the right knowledge and a strategic approach, you can turn your passion for music into a rewarding career!
