There are now more and more ways to share music albums with the world, which means it's very profitable for an artist. However, the rapid development of these options may have made the process of publishing an album a little more confusing. But going through the process is worth it, because the publishing process is usually an important element in getting royalties. You can become a music publisher and publish your own albums, or work with various publishers to register and distribute your music.
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Method 1 of 3: Publishing Your Own Music Via PRO
Step 1. Publish your album if you want to make some extra money from there
In simple terms, you want to publish music for the money. If you want to make all the money from playing your song in public (such as playing on the radio), the song (and/or album) must be published by a music publisher and registered with a performing rights organization (PRO).
- You can try to find a reputable music publisher who will accept you as a client, or publish your own music and sign up for a PRO.
- You may be able to register your music with PRO and earn royalties without collaborating with or becoming a music publisher. Consult a lawyer to find out the laws and regulations where you live and/or create music.
Step 2. Choose a performance rights organization (PRO)
In the United States, you can choose between three PROs: ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Search the internet, gather information about all three, and choose the one that fits your needs.
- As a publisher, you can register with multiple PROs, but you can only (and only need to) register one work (such as an album) with one PRO.
- Outside of the United States, look for PROs operating in your country, such as SOCAN in Canada.
Step 3. Choose a name for your publishing business
To become your own album publisher, you need to create a business name. It is recommended that you choose three names, as a backup in case your first choice is already used. PROs (and you) don't want what you deserve to go into someone else's hands, so they will reject names that are even similar to names already registered with their organization or others.
Step 4. Form your business as a legal entity
Once the name deal is done with the PRO of your choice, you must establish a business in your region or country. This process will vary depending on where you live and/or operate, but may be relatively simple if your business consists of only you.
- However, if more than one person is involved in the business (such as co-writers, bandmates, etc.), you are strongly advised to form a more structured business, such as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Corporation. The operating agreement or business rules must state who does what, who owns what, how members will be compensated, what if new members join, and how members can leave.
- It is possible to set up an LLC or other business entity without assistance, but it may be easier for you to consult a more knowledgeable attorney.
Step 5. Register your album (as well as its publisher) with the PRO of your choice
Once your publisher registration is accepted by that organization, every song/album published by your publishing company must be registered with that organization. Register your new album, and make sure to include the name of the publisher (the company you founded) and your PRO on any copies of the album that are released (physically or digitally).
For example: If your songs are played, the radio station will tell ASCAP that they are playing your songs and pay ASCAP. Then ASCAP will look for the album in their list, find the album listed with “Your Music Publisher,” and then pay you a fee
Method 2 of 3: Cooperating with Outside Publishers
Step 1. Think about using an existing music publisher
Do so especially if you prefer a hands-off approach to publishing your album. Performance rights organizations (PROs) operating in your country usually have an online list of affiliated publishers, which you can probably search for the songs they publish. You can also check the description on your favorite CD and see who the publisher is.
Getting a reputable publisher is not a sure thing, of course. Try to build a network of contacts with publishers, artists, and others in the music business, and be prepared for one or many rejections
Step 2. Consider leveraging publisher administrators
Publisher administrators have essentially the same functionality as regular publishers, but are made in the newer digital era. If you're particularly concerned about proper royalty income when your albums are downloaded, listened to online, or used online, signing up with a publisher administrator-such as TuneCore, for example-may be considered.
- The publisher administrator may charge a one-time fee (eg US$75) and a percentage of your royalties (perhaps 10-20%) for their services.
- Make sure the publisher administrator has an active working relationship with the PRO you are using, so that the process of earning and distributing royalties is efficient.
Step 3. Work directly with online music services as another option
If you want to focus on publishing and distributing your albums through certain online music services (such as iTunes, Google Play, etc.), you may be able to work directly with them. Again, similar to a typical third party publisher or publisher administrator, you will pay a fee and submit a percentage of your royalties/revenues in return for the administrative work done for you.
For example, Google Play Artist Hub charges an initial fee and thirty percent of your revenue in exchange for global distribution of your album across the company's various music platforms
Step 4. Decide if a little more money or time is the most valuable thing to you
Basically, if you're willing to put in the time to do the paperwork, you can become your own album publisher and earn one hundred percent of any royalties made. However, if administrative tasks are not your forte, or you prefer to simply focus your energies on creating and distributing your music, the initial payment and royalty reduction may be worth signing up for with an existing publisher/administrator.
Method 3 of 3: Circulating Your Album to the General Public
Step 1. Copyright your album
Technically, your music will be copyrighted as soon as it is created. However, in practical terms, registering your copyright according to the procedures in the country where you live and/or work will give you legal “force” over your copyright.
- In the United States, for example, you can send a digital or physical copy of an album to www.copyright.gov, pay a fee (currently $35), wait several months to process, and receive a copyright registration that will protect ownership of your music creation in the US and many international courts of law.
- Whether you work with a publisher, act as a music publisher yourself, or don't use a publisher at all, register your copyright. Protect your legal rights to your albums.
Step 2. Upload your music
Like registering a copyright, registering with a PRO or taking advantage of a publisher (either yourself or someone else) is not legally required. However, it would be simply better to protect your rights and claim any fee for yourself from your album. If to you "publishing" simply means sharing your album with a large number of people, you can upload your music to your preferred social media pages, personal websites, Spotify, and so on.
If you're an independent artist trying to distribute your albums for free and want to start building a name, this simpler approach can work; if you want control over its distribution and revenue, follow a more structured publishing approach
Step 3. Make a CD and sell or share it
Again, depending on your definition and expectations, publishing music can be as simple as making a CD collection of your albums and selling them (or sharing them) at coffee shops, flea markets, or other places. This may be the easiest route if you are a new independent artist trying to promote in your area.
