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Music publishing explained for self-releasing artists
April 5, 2025 · 8 min read
Every time your song plays — radio, streaming, in a coffee shop, in a TV show — multiple royalties are generated. If you haven't set up the right pieces, most of those royalties never reach you.
Register with a PRO
ASCAP or BMI in the US, PRS in the UK, GEMA in Germany. They collect performance royalties — radio, public spaces, live venues. Free to join, no excuse not to.
Use a publishing admin
Songtrust, Sentric, CD Baby Pro. They collect mechanical and international royalties your PRO doesn't. They take a cut; it's worth it.
Don't forget the master side
Neighboring rights (royalties on the recording itself) are collected separately. SoundExchange in the US is the main one. Register your recordings.
Self-releasing doesn't mean self-publishing. Set the pipes up once and the money flows for the life of the song.
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