1. Performing Rights Organizations (PROs): ASCAP & BMI
What are PROs?
Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) are crucial for songwriters and publishers. They collect public performance royalties when your music is played on radio, TV, in venues, or even streamed online. In the United States, the two largest PROs are ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) and BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.).
Why join a PRO?
Joining a PRO ensures you get paid when your music is publicly performed. Without one, you'd have no way to track and collect these royalties.
How to choose between ASCAP and BMI:
Both operate similarly, so the choice often comes down to personal preference or the affiliations of your collaborators. You can only be a writer member of one PRO at a time, but you can be a publisher member of multiple.
How to join:
You'll need to apply as both a "writer" and a "publisher." Even if you don't have a formal publishing company, you'll set up a publishing entity with your PRO. This ensures you collect both your writer and publisher shares of performance royalties.
2. Music Distribution
Music distribution is the process of getting your music from you to your listeners on various platforms.
Traditional vs. Digital Distribution:
Traditional: Historically, this involved physical CDs and records being distributed to stores.
Digital: Today, digital distribution is dominant, making your music available on streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music), download stores (iTunes), and social media platforms.
Key Digital Distributors:
DistroKid: Known for its affordable annual fee and unlimited uploads.
TuneCore: Offers various plans, allowing artists to keep 100% of their royalties.
CD Baby: A long-standing distributor that also offers physical distribution options.
Symphonic Distribution: Caters to a wide range of artists and labels, offering more hands-on support.
ONErpm: Combines distribution with marketing and label services.
How to choose a distributor:
Consider pricing, royalty splits, the platforms they distribute to, analytics provided, and any additional services like publishing administration or marketing support.
3. Music Publishing
Music publishing deals with the copyright of your musical compositions and the royalties generated from their use.
Mechanical Royalties:
These are paid when your song is reproduced. This includes:
Physical copies (CDs, vinyl)
Digital downloads
Interactive streams (where a user chooses to play a specific song)
Synchronization Royalties (Sync):
Paid when your music is "synced" with visual media, such as:
Film
TV shows
Commercials
Video games
YouTube videos
Print Royalties:
Generated from the sale of sheet music or lyrical transcriptions.
Admin Publishers vs. Co-Publishing vs. Full-Service
Publishing:
Admin Publisher: They administer your compositions, register them with PROs and collection societies, issue licenses, and collect royalties on your behalf, taking a percentage (usually 10-20%). You retain full ownership of your copyright.
Co-Publishing: You split the publisher's share of royalties and potentially a portion of the copyright with the publisher.
Full-Service Publishing: The publisher takes a larger share and often acquires a portion of your copyright in exchange for more extensive services like creative pitching, A&R, and advanced royalty collection.
4. Music Licensing
Music licensing is granting permission for your music to be used in exchange for a fee or royalties.
Types of Licenses:
Synchronization License (Sync License): For use in visual media.
Master Use License: For the use of a specific recording of a song (often needed in addition to a sync license if you didn't create the recording yourself).
Mechanical License: For reproducing a song (e.g., covering a song, selling downloads).
Public Performance License: For public broadcast or performance of a song (handled by PROs).
Print License: For reproducing sheet music or lyrics.
How to license your music:
Directly: You can license your music yourself by negotiating with those who want to use it.
Licensing Companies/Libraries: Services like Musicbed, AudioJungle, or PremiumBeat act as intermediaries, making your music available for licensing to filmmakers, advertisers, etc.
Publishing Administrator: If you have one, they will handle licensing on your behalf.
5. Music Marketing
Getting your music out there is only half the battle; marketing helps people discover and connect with it.
Branding and Image:
Develop a consistent visual identity: This includes your logo, album art, press photos, and social media aesthetic.
Define your artistic story: What's your unique selling proposition? What message do you want to convey?
Social Media Strategy:
Identify key platforms: Where is your target audience spending their time? (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
Consistent content: Share snippets of new music, behind-the-scenes content, live performances, and engage with your followers.
Utilize platform features: Instagram Reels, TikTok trends, YouTube Shorts, Facebook Lives.
Email List Building:
Offer incentives: Free downloads, exclusive content, early access to music.
Regular newsletters: Keep fans updated on new releases, tour dates, and special announcements. This is one of the most direct ways to reach your most engaged fans.
Website/EPK (Electronic Press Kit):
Your central hub: Your website should contain all essential information: bio, music, videos, photos, tour dates, contact info, and social links.
EPK: A professional document for media, venues, and industry professionals, containing your bio, high-res photos, music links, press clippings, and contact information.
6. Music Promoting
Promoting focuses on generating buzz and exposure for your music.
PR (Public Relations):
Press releases: Announce new music, tours, or significant achievements.
Media outreach: Contact blogs, magazines, radio stations, and online publications that align with your genre and target audience.
PR companies: Consider hiring a PR firm for significant releases, as they have established contacts.
Playlisting:
Spotify for Artists: Submit your unreleased music directly to Spotify's editorial team for playlist consideration.
Independent curators: Reach out to popular independent playlist curators on Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
Third-party services: Some services help with playlist pitching, but always be wary of "guaranteed" placements, which can be fraudulent.
Radio Promotion:
College radio: Often more open to independent and emerging artists.
Internet radio: Many genre-specific stations are looking for new music.
Terrestrial radio (commercial): More challenging to break into without significant industry backing, but not impossible for breakthrough hits.
Collaborations and Features:
Cross-promotion: Collaborate with other artists to tap into each other's fan bases.
Features: Have another artist feature on your track, or feature on theirs.
Advertising (Paid Promotion):
Social media ads: Target specific demographics on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Google Ads/YouTube Ads: Promote your music videos or website.
Spotify Ad Studio: Run audio ads directly on Spotify.
The Journey Ahead
The music industry is constantly evolving, but with a solid understanding of these core areas, you'll be well-equipped to navigate your career. Remember to stay persistent, build relationships, and consistently create music you love.
Here's a visual representation of the journey of a song through these different stages.
