How to Register for Songwriting Royalties: A Step-by-Step Guide for Musicians

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If you’re a songwriter, chances are you’re already dreaming of hearing your music everywhere—from the radio waves to that blockbuster film. But while you’re out there creating magic with your melodies and lyrics, you don’t want to miss out on something just as important: songwriting royalties. After all, your creativity deserves to be rewarded, right? So, how do you make sure you’re getting your fair share of those sweet royalties? That’s where registering your songs comes into play.

In this quirky, no-fluff guide, we’re going to take you through the steps of registering for songwriting royalties. This is your golden ticket to ensuring that every time your song is played on the airwaves, streamed online, or used in a TV show or movie, you get compensated for your hard work. Let’s get started, shall we?

What Are Songwriting Royalties and Why Do They Matter?

Before we dive into the logistics of registering for royalties, let’s take a quick detour to clarify what songwriting royalties actually are. Essentially, royalties are payments that songwriters, composers, and publishers receive when their music is used commercially. These royalties come in different forms, like performance royalties, mechanical royalties, and sync royalties, each tied to how your music is being used.

Performance royalties are earned every time your song is played on the radio, at a live venue, or even on a TV show. Mechanical royalties are generated when your song is reproduced—think streaming platforms like Spotify or even physical formats like vinyl and CDs. Sync royalties, on the other hand, are earned when your song is licensed for use in a TV show, movie, or commercial.

Now, the real question is: how do you make sure that every time your song gets played, you’re getting your share of these royalties? That’s where proper registration comes in. If you don’t register your songs with the right organizations, you could miss out on royalties you’ve earned—yikes!

Step 1: Choose a Performing Rights Organization (PRO)

To get the ball rolling, you need to register your songs with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO). These organizations act as middlemen between you (the songwriter) and the companies that use your music. PROs track where your music is played, collect the royalties on your behalf, and then send those payments to you.

In the United States, the big three PROs are:

• ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)

• BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)

• SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors and Composers)

Each of these PROs offers different benefits, so it’s important to pick one that fits your needs.

ASCAP and BMI are open to most songwriters, while SESAC is selective and requires an invitation to join. If you’re based outside of the U.S., don’t worry—there are similar PROs around the world, such as PRS for Music in the UK or SACEM in France.

So, how do you choose between them? Well, it really comes down to personal preference. Consider things like their fee structures, ease of use, and the kind of support they offer songwriters. Once you’ve made your choice, sign up with your selected PRO and start the registration process.

Step 2: Register Your Songs with the PRO

Once you’ve picked your PRO and signed up, it’s time to get your songs officially registered. While the process may vary slightly depending on the organization, it’s generally pretty straightforward.

You’ll typically be asked to provide some basic information about your song, such as:

• Song title: The name of your track.

• Songwriters: Who wrote the lyrics? Who composed the music? You can include co-writers as well.

• Publisher: If you’re working with a publisher, you’ll need to provide their details too.

• Performance type: This could include live performances, radio airplay, or digital streaming.

This is where things can get a little tricky if you’ve written songs with collaborators. When registering, make sure to accurately credit everyone involved. If you’re splitting royalties with co-writers, be clear about how the royalties will be distributed. If you have a music publisher, make sure to list them as well, as they will often collect royalties on your behalf.

If you’re the only one behind the song, it’s pretty simple—you register yourself as the sole writer and publisher (if you self-publish). But if you’ve collaborated with others, you’ll need to sort out how the royalties will be split. Most PROs will let you decide what percentage goes to each writer and publisher, but the key is to ensure that everyone is on the same page before you submit your registration.

Step 3: Register for Mechanical Royalties

Now that you’ve registered your song with a PRO, you’ll also want to register for mechanical royalties. These are the royalties that are earned every time your song is reproduced, whether on a physical format like CD or vinyl, or in digital formats like streaming services.

In the U.S., the organization responsible for collecting mechanical royalties is the Harry Fox Agency (HFA). You’ll need to register with them if you want to collect mechanical royalties from physical and digital copies of your music. If your song is being streamed, services like Spotify and Apple Music are required to pay these royalties to you on your behalf, but the HFA can help you track those payments.

Outside of the U.S., countries have their own organizations for mechanical royalty collection. For example, in the UK, the MCPS (Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society) handles mechanical royalties.

Once you’ve registered with a mechanical rights organization, you’ll be able to track how often your songs are being reproduced and collect the corresponding royalties. This is an important step for making sure you get paid for digital streams and physical sales.

Step 4: Don’t Forget About Sync Licensing

If you’ve got a song that’s perfect for a commercial, movie, or TV show, you might want to look into sync licensing—the process of licensing your music for use in visual media. Sync royalties are separate from performance and mechanical royalties, so you’ll want to make sure your song is properly registered for this, too.

For sync licensing, you can work with a music publisher, licensing agency, or music library to get your songs placed in TV shows, movies, commercials, and more. While some PROs may handle certain aspects of sync licensing, it’s typically handled by publishers or specialized licensing agencies, so this is something you’ll need to consider when registering your music.

By registering your songs properly and keeping them in the right catalogs, you’ll be in a better position to take advantage of sync opportunities. Music supervisors and filmmakers are always looking for fresh tracks, so don’t miss out on this potential revenue stream!

Step 5: Keep Track of Your Royalties

Now that your songs are registered and your royalties are starting to roll in, it’s important to keep track of your earnings. Most PROs provide an online portal where you can monitor your royalty payments, but it’s also a good idea to regularly check in with organizations like the Harry Fox Agency or any other mechanical royalty collectors to make sure everything’s on track.

Sometimes, it can take a little while for royalties to come in, especially if your music is being used internationally or through smaller channels. But rest assured, as long as your songs are properly registered and you’ve dotted all your i’s and crossed all your t’s, you’ll get your fair share of the pie!

Wrapping It Up: Protect Your Music, Protect Your Earnings

Registering for songwriting royalties is one of the most important steps you can take as a songwriter to ensure you’re being paid for your creative efforts. By signing up with a PRO, registering your songs for mechanical royalties, and exploring sync licensing, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success.

So, whether your song is playing on the radio, streaming on Spotify, or featured in the next viral TikTok trend, make sure you're getting what’s yours. After all, you’ve earned it! Now go forth, register those songs, and start collecting royalties like the music pro you are.

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