Learn Music Publishing in 5 Minutes

What is music publishing, and why is it essential for songwriters and producers?

• Music publishing is the business of managing, promoting, and monetizing musical compositions and their associated copyrights. It focuses on the underlying composition of a song—the melody, lyrics, and arrangement—rather than the recorded performance of it.

Simple Terms: It's the management and collection of money earned whenever someone uses your song

How do publishers differ from labels in representing creators?

• Labels focus on representing artists and their recorded music, while publishers represent songwriters and producers, ensuring their compositions are properly managed and monetized.

Simple Terms: Labels focus on making the record successful; Publishers focus on making money from the song itself.

What are the different types of publishing royalties creators can earn?

• Mechanical Royalties: Earned when music is reproduced or distributed, like streaming or physical sales.
• Performance Royalties: Earned when music is performed publicly, like in live settings or on radio, TV.
• Sync Royalties: Sync licensing occurs when music is used in visual media like films, TV shows, commercials, or video games. For instance, a producer's beat might be featured in a Netflix series, generating significant exposure and revenue.
• Sheet Music: Less known, but if you have it, it’s collected.

What are "black box royalties," and how can creators avoid losing them?

• Black Box Royalties are unclaimed royalties held by collection societies due to missing or incorrect registration data.
• Creators can avoid losing them by accurately registering their works with a publisher or at minimum, a PRO (Performance Rights Organization) in a timely manner. 

What type of Publishing “deal” do I need? 

• Publishing deals outline how royalties are split and what rights the publisher will manage.
• The Majority of creators should look for terms that ensure they retain ownership while allowing publishers to maximize revenue opportunities.
• There are other types of publishing deals that offer advances, some admin, but they usually include giving up 50% of your ownership and the terms change dramatically. 
• Ex.: 1-Year Admin Deal w/ 1-Year Retention (Standard Admin Deal) vs 3-Year Admin Deal w $50,000 Advance w/ 3-Year Retention
• Ex. 2: 1-Year Admin Deal w/ 1-Year Retention (Standard Admin Deal) vs 3-Year Co-Publishing Deal with $250,000 Advance and 7-Year Retention. 
• Ex. 3: Songs w/ publisher for 2 years, 6 years and 10 years.‍

‍Real Example of Admin Deal

• You create a song and register it.
• Administrator/Publisher collects money when it's used.
• If they collect $1,000:
  • You get $800-900
  • They keep $100-200

‍Real Example of Co-Publishing Deal

• The publisher gives you $10,000 advance upfront.
• You create a song and register it.
• They own part of your songs for an extended period of time. **Even after advance is recouped.
• They collect $1,000 in royalties:
  • You get $500
  • They get $500‍

Quick Tips to Optimize Publishing Earnings

• Sign-up with a PRO to acquire an IPI # (your social security # in the publishing world) and collect your performance royalties writer share. 
• Sign-up with a reputable publisher to register your works and collect mechanical royalties, performance royalties publisher share, synchronization royalties and sheet music royalties. 
• Organize your catalog using tools like google sheets, MUSO.ai, Genius and DSP’s. Utilize these FREE Templates to help
• When registering, ensure accurate song registration. Your publisher will deliver your records to your home PRO, so no need to register twice. 
• Monitor splits and ownership details
• Once your songs are registered and sent out, it takes about 6-months on average to start seeing money come in. This could be minimal.
• Over all, it takes about 18-24 months to see the majority of your money, but times vary based on location, age of song, platform, ownership %, are there any holds on the record, etc…
• Publishing is very unpredictable, so exercise patience.