What is music publishing? It's a term you may have heard before, but what does it actually mean? In short, music publishing is registering your songs with one or more Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) and collecting royalties every time those songs are used in TV shows, movies, video games, and other media types.

Why is music publishing important for indie artists? Simply put, it's one of the best ways to make a living off your music. By publishing your music, you can collect royalties every time one of your songs is used in a commercial or TV show. This can be a great source of supplemental income for indie artists.

If you're interested in music publishing, you should know a few things. First, you need to register your songs with a PRO. There are three main PROs in the United States: BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC. Each has its rules and regulations, so research is essential before deciding which suits you.

What is Music Publishing?

Music publishing involves acquiring, administering, and exploiting musical copyrights. It is a process that starts with the songwriter creating a composition, then used by performing artists to create recordings, and finally exploited by music publishers to market those recordings to generate royalties for the songwriter.

What Are Performing Rights Organizations?

A Performing Rights Organization (PRO) is an organization that represents songwriters, composers, and music publishers in the United States and collects royalties on their behalf. The three main PROs in the US are BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC.

●     BMI: BMI stands for Broadcast Music, Inc. and is a performing rights organization representing more than 500,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers in the United States. BMI collects royalties on behalf of its members when their songs are played on the radio, TV, or other public places.

●     ASCAP: ASCAP stands for American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) is a performing rights organization that ensures its members are fairly compensated for the public performance of their works. ASCAP collects royalties on behalf of its members when their songs are played on the radio, TV, or other public places.

●     SESAC: SESAC stands for Society of European Stage Authors and Composers. It is a performing rights organization representing over 30,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers in the United States. SESAC collects royalties on behalf of its members when their songs are played on the radio, TV, or other public places.

Why is Music Publishing Important?

There are several reasons why music publishing is essential. Still, the most important one is that it's a key source of income for songwriters. When a songwriter writes a song, they own the copyright. But to make money off of that song, they need to find ways to exploit it.

You Receive Performance Royalties

One of the most common ways songwriters make money is through performance royalties. Whenever a song is played on the radio, performed in a live setting, or used in a TV show or movie, the songwriter is owed a performance royalty. But for the songwriter to collect those royalties.

Once you've registered your songs, you can start collecting royalties! Every time one of your songs is used in a TV show, movie, or commercial, you'll receive a royalty check. The amount of money you make will depend on many factors, including the type of use (television vs. film, for example) and the number of times your song is used.

You Will Get Recognition

Another reason why music publishing is essential is that it can help you build a career in the music industry. By registering your songs and collecting royalties, you're showing you're serious about your music career. This can open doors for you, such as placing your songs in TV shows and movies.

Your Music Is Protected

Last but not least, music publishing can help you protect your songs. By registering your copyrights and collecting performance royalties, you're ensuring that you're getting paid for your hard work. Additionally, you would have legal recourse if someone were to steal your song or use it without permission.

Only thinking about getting a record deal is selling yourself short. Look into music publishing if you want to make a long lasting living with your music.

How Indie Artists Make An Income Through Publishing

Indie artists can make a living by publishing their music for TV, film, video games, etc. By registering your songs with a PRO (Performing Rights Organization), you can start collecting royalties every time your song is used.

Income From Royalties

The amount of money you make will depend on many factors, including the type of use (television vs. film, for example) and the number of times your song is used. But if you have a few popular songs in the TV and film industry, you can start to see some serious income from royalties.

On average, new indie artists can expect to make $500-$1,000 per year from royalties. But you can make much more money as you build up your catalog of songs and get more placements. Some established artists make millions of dollars per year from their music royalties.

Sync Fee Income

In addition to royalties, you can also make money from sync fees. A sync fee is a one-time payment made to the copyright holder of a song for the use of that song in a TV show, movie, or commercial. Sync fees can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the project.

Other Income Streams for Indie Artists

In addition to music publishing, there are other ways for indie artists to make a living from their music. Touring, merch sales, and streaming royalties are great ways to earn income from your music.

If you're serious about making a living from your music, exploring all available options and income streams are essential. By diversifying your sources of income, you can ensure that you're constantly bringing in money from your music.

The Bottom Line

Music publishing is a great way for indie artists to make a living from their music. By registering your songs and collecting royalties, you can earn an income from your music. And if you get lucky, you might even land a few sync fees from TV, film, or video games!