Music Publishing 101: How Your Songs Become Income
Music Publishing 101: How Your Songs Become Income
When you write and release a song, it’s only the beginning of your journey as an artist. If you want to truly earn from your music, you need to make sure your songs are properly published and registered. Music publishing is what turns your creativity into an income stream — protecting your rights and ensuring you’re paid every time your music is used.
But what exactly does “music publishing” mean, and how do you do it right? Let’s break it down.
What Is Music Publishing?
Music publishing is the business of managing your song rights and collecting the royalties you’re owed. When you write a song, you own the composition rights — this includes the melody, lyrics, and structure. Publishing helps you control who can use your song and ensures you receive payments whenever your work is played, performed, downloaded, streamed, or licensed.
Without proper publishing, your songs can still generate money — but you might never see it. If they’re not registered in the right places, you risk losing out on income from radio play, streaming platforms, TV placements, ads, films, and even live performances.
Step One: Register With a Performing Rights Organization (PRO)
The first step to protect and earn from your music is registering with a PRO (Performing Rights Organization). PROs collect public performance royalties — payments made when your song is played publicly or broadcasted. Here are some examples of PROs around the world:
UK: PRS
Canada: SOCAN
Russia: RAO
These organizations license music to venues, broadcasters, and online platforms. They track how often your song is played and send you the royalties you’re due.
Tip: If you’re both the songwriter and your own publisher, make sure to register as both! PROs pay royalties 50/50 between songwriter and publisher. If you only register as the songwriter, you’ll miss out on half the earnings.
Step Two: Don’t Forget Mechanical Royalties
Public performance royalties are just one part of the picture. You’ll also need to collect mechanical royalties, which are payments earned when your song is reproduced — like physical sales, digital downloads, or interactive streams (Spotify, Apple Music).
Unlike PROs, mechanical royalties are collected by mechanical rights agencies. In the U.S., for example, this is handled by The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective).
If you want to simplify the process, you can work with a publishing administrator (like Songtrust). They help manage both public performance and mechanical royalties worldwide, making sure your songs are registered in every country where you might earn income.
Step Three: Licensing — Turning Uses Into Income
Another key way to earn from publishing is through licensing. This means giving permission for others to use your song in:
TV shows
Films
Commercials
YouTube videos
Video games
Every licensed use generates income — but only if your rights are properly in place. Without the right registrations, you risk losing these opportunities or not getting paid fairly.
Why Publishing Matters
Skipping music publishing is like planting a tree but never harvesting the fruit. Even if your music is streamed, performed, or played on radio stations, you won’t receive your earnings unless your rights are registered and managed correctly.
Music publishing ensures that you, the creator, get compensated for your work. It’s how professional songwriters build long-term income and secure their creative legacy.
Pro Tip: Simplify With a Publishing Administrator
Many independent songwriters choose to work with publishing administrators, who handle registrations globally and minimize errors. This saves time and ensures your song data is correct — avoiding lost royalties due to metadata mistakes or missed registrations.
Final Checklist to Start Publishing:
✅ Register your songs with your country’s PRO
✅ Register for mechanical royalties (like The MLC in the U.S.)
✅ Work with a publishing administrator for global reach
✅ Keep track of co-writers and agreed song splits
✅ Collect both performance and mechanical royalties
✅ License your music for extra income streams
Conclusion: Turn Your Song Into a Revenue Stream
Your songs are valuable assets. Music publishing is the key to unlocking their full potential. From public performances to digital streams and licensing deals, proper publishing ensures your creativity pays off — today and for years to come.
Whether you’re just starting out or already have songs in the world, make sure you’re not leaving money on the table. Start managing your rights today and turn your passion into profit!