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A Beginner's Guide to Music Registration and Metadata Mastery

Welcome to Jukeblox, your go-to guide for getting your music registered, protected, and ready for the world to hear. Whether you're just starting out or already making waves, this guide will walk you through everything you need to ensure your music is accurately registered, discoverable, and ready to generate revenue.

Why Metadata Matters

Before we dive into publishing, it's crucial to understand metadata—information about your song like title, artist, and release date. Accurate metadata ensures that you get credit and royalties for your work. For a deeper dive into metadata essentials, check out  SoundExchange's Metadata Best Practices Guide

Publishing Basics

Publishing is one of the most vital, yet often misunderstood, aspects of the music business. It's all about managing the rights to your songs, ensuring you're paid when they're used, and giving you control over how your music is used. Let's break down publishing basics, the roles of a songwriter and a publisher, and the steps you can take to maximize the benefits from your music.

Understanding Songwriters and Publishers

The Creator: If you wrote the lyrics, composed the music, or contributed to the song’s creation, you’re a songwriter. Songwriters earn royalties whenever their songs are performed, streamed, or licensed.

The Rights Manager: Publishers handle the administration, licensing, and collection of royalties for the songwriters they represent. Think of them as the “business side” of your music. They register your songs with royalty-collecting organizations and make sure you get paid.

Yes! If you’re a songwriter without a publishing deal, you’re effectively your own publisher. Many independent artists wear both hats, handling their own publishing to keep full control and collect all the publishing royalties themselves.

If you partner with a music publisher, they’ll handle many of these tasks for you, often in exchange for a percentage of your publishing revenue.

Types of Publishing Royalties

Publishing royalties are generally divided into two parts: songwriter's share and publisher's share. Both shares generate income, but their sources differ:

  1. Performance Royalties: Earned from live performances, radio play, and streaming.
  2. Mechanical Royalties: Generated from physical sales, digital downloads, and streams.
  3. Sync Royalties: Earned when your song is used in TV, film, ads, or other media.

Steps to Set Up Your Publishing

Decide if You'll Be Your Own Publisher

  1. Option 1: Self-Publish: If you're an independent artist, you can act as your own publisher. This means you're responsible for registering, collecting, and managing your royalties, but you get to keep 100% of the publishing revenue.
  2. Option 2: Partner with a Publisher: Partnering with a traditional music publisher can give you access to their expertise, contacts, and administrative support, though they typically take a percentage of your publishing income
  3. Helpful Links: • Learn more about self-publishing and industry options on ASCAP's Publishing Resources. (https://www.ascap.com/help)

Register as a Publisher with a PRO

• Why It's Important: Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC are responsible for collecting performance royalties on your behalf. You'll need a publisher account to collect the publisher's share.

    • How to Register:
  • Step 1: Visit the website of the PRO you choose, such as ASCAP, (https://www.ascap.com/) BMI, (https://www.bmi.com/) or SESAC. (https://www.sesac.com/)
  • Step 2: Create a publisher account by completing the application and paying any associated fees (ASCAP charges around $50).
  • Step 3: Register each new song under both your songwriter and publisher accounts to ensure you collect both shares.

Register Your Songs with The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective)

• Why It's Important: The MLC handles digital mechanical royalties in the U.S. , making it a must for self-publishing songwriters whose songs are streamed on digital services.

    How to Register:
  • Step 1: Go to themlc.com (https://www.themlc.com/)and sign up for a free account.
  • Step 2: Upload your catalog and complete any required metadata, including ISRC codes, songwriter info, and ownership splits.

Consider Joining a Music Publisher or Administration Service

• Why Consider It? If you prefer not to manage the administrative side of publishing, look into partnering with a publisher or a publishing administration service like Songtrust or CD Baby Pro.

    How to Proceed:
  • Research Providers: Look into services like Songtrust (https://www.songtrust.com/) and CD Baby Pro, (https://members.cdbaby.com/pro-publishing.aspx) which can handle registration, royalty collection, and sync licensing for you.
  • Sign Up and Pay Fees: These services often charge a one-time fee and may take a small percentage of your publishing royalties

Manage Your Split Sheets

What is a Split Sheet? A split sheet is a document that details each contributor's share of the song's publishing rights. It's essential for ensuring everyone's royalties are paid accurately.

    How to Create a Split Sheet:
  • Document Contributions: After every collaboration, agree on each contributor's percentage of the publishing and document it on a split sheet.
  • Sign and Store Safely: Make sure each contributor signs the sheet, then keep a copy in your records. For a free template, check out this Split Sheet Template by Songtrust. (https://www.songtrust.com/)

Register for an ISWC Code

  • Why It's Needed: The ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) uniquely identifies the composition of your song and is essential for accurate royalty distribution.
  • How to Obtain One: Your PRO will assign an ISWC code when you register your composition. Double-check that your song title and contributor information are correct to avoid any registration delays.

Managing Your Publishing Effectively

1. Keep Detailed Records • Organize documents like split sheets, registration confirmations, and PRO account info to track your catalog. Cloud storage services (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) are handy for easy access.

2. Reevaluate Your Publishing Options • As you grow, you may decide to move from self-publishing to partnering with a traditional publisher for more exposure. Revisit your options periodically to ensure they align with your career goals.

3. Stay Informed About New Opportunities • The music publishing world is constantly evolving. Staying up to date on new licensing options, streaming platforms, or international collection societies can help you maximize your reach and income.

Helpful Links for Music Publishing

With this foundation in music publishing, you're equipped to manage your songs with confidence. Understanding the distinctions between songwriting and publishing, and taking the right steps to protect your rights, will set you up for long-term success and ensure you're fully compensated for your work. Keep moving forward, keep refining your process, and watch as your publishing knowledge grows alongside your career.