Reading Time: 3 minutes

INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.

Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, welcomed Benjamin “BENCASSO” Barnes to provide another commentary in a series.

The Benjamin “BENCASSO” Barnes Commentaries

If you’re a songwriter, musician, or composer, setting up royalties is essential to earning income from your music. Registering with performance rights organizations like BMI and ASCAP ensures you get paid for public performances, while the MLC tracks streaming royalties. If you’re self-publishing, there are companies like CD Baby, TuneCore, and Songtrust that can manage royalties for you. This guide walks you through setting up royalties, collecting your songwriter and publisher shares, and the top companies to help with self-publishing.

As a musician, one of the best things you can do to ensure you’re getting paid for your music is set up royalties. Music royalties are paid when your compositions are used in public performances, played on the radio, or streamed online. In this article, we’ll break down how to register for royalties with BMI, ASCAP, and MLC, plus the top self-publishing companies that can collect royalties on your behalf.

1. Register with BMI or ASCAP

To get started, sign up with one of the major performing rights organizations (PROs). BMI

(Broadcast Music, Inc.) and ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) are the two largest in the U.S. These organizations collect performance royalties when your music is played in public spaces like radio stations, bars, or streamed online.

BMI – Free to join, BMI allows songwriters to register their works and track public performances. Once registered, you’ll receive a unique IPI number for royalty collection.
ASCAP – Unlike BMI, ASCAP requires a one-time membership fee, but they provide similar services to track and collect performance royalties on your behalf.

2. Register with the MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective)

In addition to performance royalties, digital royalties from streaming platforms and downloads are collected by the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC). This organization makes sure you’re paid for mechanical uses of your music, such as on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and more.

By registering with MLC, you can ensure your digital royalties are tracked and that you’re compensated for your music’s streaming and digital sales.

3. Self-Publishing and Collecting Publisher Royalties

If you are self-publishing your music, you’ll want to ensure you are receiving both your songwriter and publisher royalties. A PRO like BMI or ASCAP allows you to register as both the songwriter and publisher. This means you’ll collect the full amount of royalties available—your share as a songwriter and the publisher’s share.

4. Top 5 Self-Publishing Companies

If you’d rather not handle the publishing side of things yourself, there are several companies that act as your publisher and make sure you collect royalties. These companies also handle licensing and collection from various sources.

CD Baby – CD Baby offers distribution and publishing services, making sure you’re collecting royalties from streaming and digital downloads. They also handle global publishing administration.
TuneCore – TuneCore is another platform that provides music publishing services. They offer worldwide royalty collection, including performance and mechanical royalties.
Songtrust – A popular choice for independent musicians, Songtrust collects royalties globally and ensures you get paid for every performance, download, or stream.
Harmonix Music – Known for music publishing administration, Harmonix helps track and collect royalties from performances and digital uses worldwide.
Kobalt Music – Kobalt offers a full suite of music publishing services, helping you manage rights and ensure you’re paid for all uses of your music.

Conclusion

Setting up royalties for your music is essential to making sure you’re paid for your work. By registering with PROs like BMI and ASCAP, joining the MLC for digital royalties, and possibly working with a self-publishing company, you can ensure you’re collecting all the royalties you’re owed. Whether you’re handling it yourself or using a service, getting this set up is a critical step in the business side of your music career.

Image available at Bencasso Art Gallery

https://bencasso.org/featured/when-stumbling-shit-sad-or-sweet-years-behind-bencasso barnesquiat.html

Recording: Deadweight “Ragadama”

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1qAwoWHyePGRUcHPEfRunW? si=c242d6d9ce664c7c&nd=1&dlsi=f5a4014133f6462f

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/raga-dama/1491256796?i=1491256802

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B082NPZ9HF? trackAsin=B082NP3V2W&ref=dm_sh_8a2a-5109-fc94-38c7-3d3e7

Benjamin Barnes, also known as Bencasso, is a violinist, painter, and entrepreneur who blends art, music, and education. A former rock star with Deadweight, he’s recorded over 1,290 songs and worked with legends like Isaac Stern. As CEO of Culture Scholar Corporation, he uses music and art to uplift underserved communities, including seniors and those recovering from addiction. His LLC, Bencasso, empowers artists through innovative programs. Despite overcoming catastrophic injuries and mental health struggles, Benjamin has earned prestigious grants, written a Pulitzer Prize-winning autobiography, and continues to inspire others through his creative journey.