Yes, you can technically be your own publisher by registering a “Publisher Entity” with a PRO like ASCAP or BMI. However, simply having a name doesn’t mean you are collecting all your royalties. To be a fully functioning publisher, you must also register with the MLC, HFA, and dozens of international societies. For most artists, an Administration Deal is the better route because it lets you keep 100% ownership while a professional handles the global paperwork.
The “DIY” spirit is the backbone of independent music. You record your own songs, manage your own social media, and book your own shows. Naturally, the next question is: “Why should I give a percentage to a publisher when I can just do it myself?”
While you certainly can do it yourself, there is a big difference between owning your publishing and administering it.
Step 1: How to Set Up a “Vanity” Publisher
If you just want your own publishing name to appear on Spotify credits (e.g., “Your Name Music Publishing”), here is the process:
- Register with a PRO: Go to ASCAP or BMI.
- Apply for a Publisher Account: You will have to pay a separate application fee (usually $50–$100).
- Choose a Name: You’ll need to provide a few name options to ensure no one else is using them.
- Assign Your Works: You then link your songwriter account to your new publisher account.
The Result: You now “own” your publisher’s share. But here is the catch: You are still only collecting Domestic Performance Royalties.
The 3 Massive Hurdles of DIY Publishing
This is where most DIY artists get stuck. To truly be your own publisher, you have to do the work of a full-time office.
1. The Mechanical Royalty Gap
PROs (ASCAP/BMI) do not collect mechanical royalties. To get these in the US, you have to register every single song individually with The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective). If you don’t, your streaming mechanicals sit in a government-mandated “holding pen” and never reach your bank account.
2. The International “Territory” Problem
There are over 100 collection societies worldwide (like GEMA in Germany or PRS in the UK). To collect your money from a radio play in London or a stream in Berlin, you would technically need to register your song with each of those societies individually.
- The DIY Reality: Most artists don’t have the time or the legal standing to register in 100+ countries.
3. Data Cleanup & Conflict Resolution
What happens if someone else claims they wrote 10% of your song? Or if your song is “orphaned” in a database because of a typo? Professional publishers have direct software “pipes” into these databases to fix these errors instantly. A DIY artist has to send emails and wait months for a reply.
Comparison: DIY Publishing vs. Admin Publishing
| Task | DIY Publishing | Admin Publisher (Audiobulb) |
| Registration Fee | $50–$100 (per PRO) | $19.99/Year |
| Global Collection | Only where you manually register | 100+ Territories automatically |
| Mechanical Royalties | Must register with MLC/HFA yourself | Handled for you |
| Ownership | You own 100% | You own 100% |
| Overall Royalty Collection | Only 50% | 100% |
| Workload | 10–20 hours of paperwork per release | Automated |
Why an “Administration Deal” is the “Goldilocks” Solution
An Administration Deal is the middle ground.
- You don’t give away your copyrights (unlike a “Major Label” deal).
- You keep 100% ownership of your songs.
- You pay a small fee in exchange for the publisher doing all the global registrations and collection.
Essentially, you remain the “Boss,” and the publisher acts as your “Head of Finance.”
FAQ: DIY Publishing
Does having a publisher name on ASCAP mean I’m “Published”?
Technically, yes, but it’s a “Vanity” publisher. It looks professional on paper, but it doesn’t solve the problem of collecting mechanicals or international money.
Can I switch from DIY to an Admin Publisher later?
Yes. If you’ve already created a publisher entity at ASCAP/BMI, a service like Audiobulb can “administer” that entity for you, so you keep your name but get their global reach.
Summary: Ownership vs. Administration
You should always own your publishing. But you shouldn’t necessarily administer it yourself unless you want to be a data entry clerk instead of a musician.
Your Next Step: If you want to keep your 100% ownership but stop worrying about the MLC or international paperwork, check out how Audiobulb’s Administration services can handle the heavy lifting for you.