How To Join a PRO And Get Double The Income
Result
Join a performing rights organization to get royalties whenever your original music is performed in the US.
Overview
Every time your original music is performed or broadcast publicly you are entitled to royalties (TV, radio, satellite radio, public establishments, flash players, etc.). A performing rights organization (a "PRO") tracks which music is performed, collects the money owed, and distributes the royalties to its members.
Related Categories: Rights & Royalties Organizations, Music Associations
Perspective: US
Estimated Preparation time: An hour
Estimated Result Time: Immediate
Estimated Cost: Low
What You Need to Do This:
- At least one original written, recorded, or performed song that has been publicly released
- Application forms
- Application fee money
Directions
1. Select a Song-Performance PRO in the US to join such as ASCAP or BMI (SEASAC is invite-only)
You can/should only join one, so you will have to compare and choose which one is right for you (they all do essentially the same thing, but offer different anxillary benefits such as discounts on gear and services). Typically, there is a one time fee to register.
2. Sign up as both a songwriter and as a publisher to double your money
Your performance copyright in a song is split in two -- the author and the publisher -- which each get 50% share of the money if a PRO discovers your music performed. If you only sign up as a songwriter, you're losing out on 50% of the money owed you.
3. Register your songs as both the songwriter and publisher
Once you join, follow your PRO's instructions and register your music appropriately so the PRO knows which songs to track in their surveys and who to pay.
4. Join the Sound-Recording-Performance PRO, SoundExchange (US or Mexico only)
Sound Exchange is the PRO that obtains performance royalties for sound recordings. Since sound-recording rights are different from the song rights, you can join this PRO in addition to one of the song-performance PROs.
5. Sign up as both a "featured artist" and "sound-recording copyright owner" to double your money
ign up as a "sound-recording copyright owner" and designate the "featured artist" for the sound recording – usually you or your band – as royalties are split between the two. If you don’t register both, it will result in lost royalties.
6. Register your sound recordings
Once you join, follow your PRO's instructions and register your music appropriately so the PRO knows which songs to track in their surveys and who to pay.
What should I do next?
References