What is Music Publishing?music publishing Who owns your songs?Let’s take a look at what it means to write a song, and what rights you now have to that song. Firstly there is the matter of ownership. If you have written a song with no co-writer, then you own the song, the copyright, and the publishing of that song completely. It is your creative work.
Thus, if you never published your song, both you and the song would still be protected from somebody else publishing it without your consent – ideally in the form of a signed contract. If you choose to publish your song, there are a couple of options available to you for publishing. You can assign your publishing rights to somebody else such as a publishing company. What does a music publisher actually do?If you want to learn more about this topic click here
Self PublishYou can also self publish. You will then be acting as the writer and the publisher, which entitles you to all monies that, arrive for that song. If the song is picked up and recorded, you also have all the leverage. However, it also puts the burden of promotion, distribution, etc. fully on your shoulders. Click here to learn more about self-publishing.Money, Music & Success: Getting Started as an Independent Music PublisherIf you plan to start as an independent publisher, there are some key elements you need to know. Click here to learn more about this topic.Should you Self Publish?Are you still unsure if you should self publish your music? This article may help you make the decision. Click here to go to the article.Extern PublisherAlthough self-publishing has become more popular in recent years, it is usually better for the songwriter to get a publisher. The skills, talents, and creative expertise of these two fields are uniquely different, but quite symbiotic. The songwriter is creatively brilliant in his field of expertise, and so is the publisher in his field. A melding of these two groups can create much better wealth and wealth potential for both.Perhaps somewhere in your travels, you have heard this statement: “There are two halves to every publishing dollar.” If the songwriter is his own publisher, he will keep both halves. When the songwriter has a publisher there is a different ownership arrangement. The writer will keep one half of every dollar that song generates, typically for life. The publisher will keep the other half. These halves are normally referred to as the “writer’s share” and the “publisher’s share”. Often, the songwriter will be exchanging his half for some type of cash advance from the publisher that he has entered into a contract with.
Of course, if you have co-writers, they would then split the writer’s share. The publisher would still keep his half. If you have a publisher working for you, then he will be taking action to get your song cut by an artist or used in a film or television program. The publisher may own half of your song, but until he gets that song into production, he’ll get no monies for his ownership.
Very often that is the incentive for him. He has invested in the songwriter, and he has belief that the song was a worthwhile investment. His incentive will work for you as well obviously, because for every dollar that song generates, you get your writer’s share. Music Publishing: Then & NowThe Music publishing business has changed a lot through the history. In the past it was quite straightforward, but today with the current technology it has become more intricate. Click here to learn more about music publishing then and now.
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