Establishing a music publishing company with the intention of publishing your own material is very ideal for many songwriters who are independent. Songwriters who retain their publishing rights earn both the writer’s share and the publisher’s share of any income their songs generate. In addition to earning twice the money, the other major benefit to self-publishing is that you control all creative and business decisions regarding your songs.
Regardless of whether your goal is to publish your own songs—or those written by others—the process of opening a music publishing company is easy. It starts with the completion of some simple paperwork.
Join a PRO (Performing Rights Organization)
A performance rights organization (PRO), also known as a performing rights society, provides intermediary functions, particularly collection of royalties, between copyright holders and parties who wish to use copyrighted works publicly in locations such as shopping and dining venues.
To qualify for affiliation as a publisher with BMI you must be the publisher or co-publisher of one or more commercially released musical compositions (for example, a song available for sale on CD, DVD, or as a digital download); or music that is being broadcast, or is likely to be broadcast, on radio, television, film, or other electronic mediums such as, cable, Internet, or pay-per-view; or work that is being performed in venues that are licensable by PROs (such as nightclubs, concerts, or symphonic recitals). I’m not sure how the other PRO’s work exactly but the business side is pretty much the same.
Applications can be completed online. Prices will vary between the three PROs (Performing Rights Organization). For BMI, there is a $150 fee for solely owned publishing companies to affiliate; $250 for partnerships, corporations, and limited-liability companies. There is no fee to affiliate with BMI as a writer.
After your publishing company’s name has been cleared and your application for affiliation has been accepted, your next step is to complete the paperwork required by the state in which you reside to legally establish yourself as a business. You can learn what your state requires and download the necessary forms by visiting the website of the Secretary of State’s office or the County Clerk.
As a music publisher, you will be required to issue licenses (such as mechanical/recording licenses, print licenses, and synchronization licenses) for the songs you represent. But the more challenging task will be generating income by placing the songs you publish with successful recording artists, or on television and in films.
Navigating in the music industry
Navigating in the music industry can be very challenging but a lot has changed over the years concerning non-signed artists who cant afford big budget recording studios and high end music videos.
Many songwriters get sidetracked if they have to spend time taking care of administrative tasks but on the other hand there are many songwriters who are business orientated and can take care of all the administrative tasks
themselves and still find time to be a recording artist.
Earn Your Own Royalties
In big major record labels royalties due to artists often go unpaid so if you are your own publisher, you will be guaranteed to receive your due royalties no questions asked! Also, by being your own publisher it is
very rewarding to receive earnings for having your music played on digital streams, internet radio stations and music distribution services even if these earnings may add up to $270 a year.
Some Music Distribution Services
Distrokid, CD Baby, Tunecore, Ditto, Record Union, Spinn Up, AWAL and many more offer their services. Distribution services exist to get artist’s music out to audiences. Record labels were once the gatekeepers of the entire music industry, and previously did the legwork and secured deals with distribution companies who would then deliver physical music to stores. Times have certainly changed as the digital revolution took over which made it possible for independent and un-signed artists to carve a spot in the music industry.
So, if you represent songs that are competitive in the current marketplace, and you are diligent about taking care of business, you should be well on your way to being a successful publisher! Success is in the eyes and pockets of the beholder.
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