Take Ownership Of Your Publishing
In the music industry, owning your publishing is one of the most powerful ways to secure long-term success. While many artists and producers sign with established publishers, starting your own publishing company gives you full control over your music, maximizes your earnings, and opens doors to new opportunities. Here’s why you should consider it:
1. Own Your Rights & Keep 100% of Your Royalties
When you sign with a traditional publisher, you typically split your royalties with them. By starting your own publishing company, you collect 100% of your publishing income - including performance, mechanical, and sync royalties. This means more money in your pocket for every stream, radio play, film placement, or commercial use of your music.
2. Full Control Over Licensing & Placements
Having your own publishing company allows you to decide how and where your music is used. Instead of letting a third party negotiate on your behalf, you can directly license your songs to films, TV shows, video games, and advertisements. You can also build relationships with music supervisors, sync agents, and brands, leading to better deals and more placements.
3. Register with Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) & Collect Worldwide Royalties
Owning a publishing company allows you to register with PROs like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC as both a songwriter and a publisher. This ensures you collect all available royalties, not just the songwriter’s share. You can also register with international collection agencies, ensuring you’re paid when your music is played in other countries.
4. Build Your Own Catalog & Sign Other Artists
Starting a publishing company isn’t just about controlling your own music - also an opportunity to expand. You can sign other songwriters and producers, helping them collect their royalties while also growing your business. Owning a catalog of music can generate passive income over time, making publishing one of the most valuable assets in the industry.
5. Protect Your Music in the Digital Age
With the rise of streaming, AI-generated content, and music piracy, it’s more important than ever to control your intellectual property. Running your own publishing company ensures that you’re the one monitoring where your music is used, protecting it from unauthorized use, and ensuring you’re fairly compensated when your work is licensed or sampled.
Final Thoughts
Starting your own publishing company puts you in charge of your career. Instead of relying on a third party to manage your music, you control your rights, your revenue, and your opportunities. Whether you’re an independent artist, producer, or songwriter, taking ownership of your publishing is one of the smartest business moves you can make in the music industry.
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My question: how do I start one? What's the process involved?