Becoming a music publisher involves handling the administration of musical compositions, including tasks like collecting royalties and licensing fees, pursuing sync deals for TV and film, registering copyrights, and negotiating licenses. Nowadays, many artists take on the role of their own publishers. If you wish to become a music publisher yourself, here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Affiliate with ASCAP or BMI: Even if your publishing is primarily for your own music, you must affiliate with either ASCAP or BMI. Visit their respective websites (www.ascap.com or www.bmi.com) to obtain and fill out the application. If you are a songwriter, affiliate with the same society you choose as a publisher; you cannot affiliate with both. If you plan to publish other people's songs besides your own, you may need affiliations with both societies.
Step 2: Legally Establish Your Business: Once your application is accepted, legally establish your publishing business according to your state's requirements. Visit your Secretary of State's office or the County Clerk's website to determine the necessary steps. You will likely need to file a fictitious name statement to indicate that you are conducting business under a name different from your own, enabling you to open a bank account and cash checks made out to that name, if required.
Step 3: Register Your Songs: Proceed to register your songs with the Copyright Office under your new publishing company's name. You can do this through the official website: https://www.copyright.gov.
Step 4: Register Songs with Performing Rights Society: Register the songs with the performing rights society you chose in Step 1. You only need to register the songs as the publisher or writer, not both. The chosen society's website will provide all the necessary details.
Congratulations! You now have your own music publishing company. With this, you can manage your music on your terms, just as a hired publisher would have done for you. Additionally, you have the opportunity to offer your services to other artists in need. Follow these steps diligently, and you are on the path to success. You've got this!
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