Registering Your Music with a P.R.O. as an Independent Artist Without a Publishing Company
For independent artists, managing the business side of music can seem daunting. However, one of the most crucial steps you can take to ensure you receive the royalties you deserve is to register your music with a Performing Rights Organization (P.R.O.). This guide will walk you through the process of registering as an independent artist without a publishing company.
Understanding P.R.O.s and Their Role
Performing Rights Organizations (P.R.O.s) like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC (in the U.S.), and PRS (in the UK) collect performance royalties on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers. These royalties come from the public performance of your music, whether it's played on the radio, streamed online, performed live, or used in a TV show.
Overview
as an independent songwriter, you need to register your music with a P.R.O. to collect your performance royalties on your music. Similar to other types of royalties within music these royalties are split into two categories, the writers share and the publishers share. As an independent artist without a publisher, you are entitled to both of those shares of the performance royalties. You can either register a song as 200% of the writer’s share to be collected because you would be collected both the 100% of the writer’s share and 100% of the publishing share or you can register as both a songwriter and a publishing company to collect both shares.
The breakdown of how a song or composition is split between a writer share (songwriters) and Publishing Share (Publishers)
Step-by-Step Guide to Registering Your Music as an Independent Artist
1. Choose a P.R.O.
First, you need to decide which P.R.O. you want to join. Each organization has unique benefits and requirements, so it's important to research and choose the one that best suits your needs. Here are the main P.R.O.s in the U.S.:
ASCAP: Offers extensive resources and support for its members.
BMI: Recently went private and is $50 to register but has a long-standing reputation for supporting indie artists.
SESAC: Invitation-only, providing personalized service.
2. Sign Up as a Songwriter and Publisher
Even if you don’t have a publishing company, you can register as both a songwriter and a publisher. This allows you to collect the full share of the royalties typically split between the songwriter and the publisher.
Registering as a Songwriter
Visit the P.R.O.'s Website: Go to the membership section of the P.R.O.'s website.
Complete the Application: Fill out the necessary forms with your personal information, including your legal name, stage name, contact information, and tax identification number.
Pay the Membership Fee (if applicable): Some P.R.O.s charge a fee to join. For instance, ASCAP requires a one-time fee, while BMI is free for songwriters.
Publisher Share
For the publisher share, you have two options, you can either register as your separate publishing entity to collect your publishing royalties, or depending on your P.R.O. you can claim 200% in the writers share column when registering your song and this will effectively collect both the full writers and publishing share of the song.
Steps for Registering as a Publisher
Apply for Publisher Membership: After completing your songwriter registration, apply for a publisher account. This step might involve a separate application process and an additional fee.
Choose a Publishing Name: Decide on a name for your publishing entity. This name should be unique and not already in use by another publisher.
Complete the Application: Fill out the necessary forms with your publishing information.
3. Register Your Musical Works
With both your songwriter and publisher memberships in place, the next step is to register your musical works.
Log into Your Member Account: Access the member portal on the P.R.O.'s website.
Enter Work Information: Provide details about each song you want to register, including the title, co-writers (if any), and share splits. If you are the sole writer and publisher, you will typically receive 100% of the royalties.
Submit Registration: Review your entries for accuracy and submit them for registration.
4. Monitor Your Royalties
Once your works are registered, you can monitor your royalties through the P.R.O.'s online portal. Regularly check your account to see earnings from various performances and ensure everything is accounted for correctly.
Using a metadata tracker is a great way to keep track of all the information related to your catalog
5. Stay Engaged and Informed
P.R.O.s often offer resources, workshops, and networking opportunities. Stay engaged with your organization to make the most of these benefits. Additionally, keeping up with industry changes and your rights as a songwriter or composer will help you navigate your music career more effectively.
Conclusion
Registering your music with a P.R.O. as an independent artist without a publishing company ensures you receive the royalties you deserve for your work. By following these steps—choosing a P.R.O., signing up as both a songwriter and publisher, registering your works, and monitoring your royalties—you'll be well-equipped to manage your music career effectively. Take control of your music and ensure that every performance counts towards your earnings.
