You cannot join every collection society in the world (it’s too expensive). You also shouldn’t rely on your home PRO (like ASCAP) to do it for you (it’s too slow). The industry standard solution is Sub-Publishing. By using a global administrator like Audiobulb, you tap into local partners in every major territory who collect your money directly and pay you faster.
So, you know how the system works (Reciprocal Agreements). Now, how do you actually get the money efficiently?
You have three options.
Option 1: The “Do Nothing” Approach (Reliant on PROs)
You just join ASCAP or BMI and hope for the best.
- Pros: Easy. No extra paperwork.
- Cons: You lose 15-20% to “foreign taxes” and service fees. You wait 2 years for payment. You lose 100% of your international mechanical royalties (streaming) because ASCAP doesn’t collect them.
- Verdict: ❌ Not recommended for streaming artists.
Option 2: The “Direct Membership” Approach (The DIY Nightmare)
You personally join PRS (UK), SOCAN (Canada), GEMA (Germany), and JASRAC (Japan).
- Pros: You cut out the middleman.
- Cons:
- Cost: Joining PRS costs £100. GEMA costs €50/year. This adds up to thousands.
- Complexity: You have to manage 50 different logins and register your songs 50 times.
- Taxes: You have to file tax forms in every single country.
- Verdict: ❌ Impossible for independent artists.
Option 3: The Sub-Publishing Model (The Audiobulb Way)
This is how major labels and professional indies do it. You hire one Administrator (Audiobulb) who has already done the hard work.
- How it works: We don’t just rely on “Reciprocal Agreements.” We have direct Sub-Publishing partners in key markets.
- In the UK, we work directly with a London-based publisher.
- In South America, we work with a local partner in Brazil.
- The Benefit: Our partners register your songs directly with their local societies (PRS, UBC, etc.).
- The Speed: Because we register directly at the source, we skip the international delays. You get paid faster, and we collect the Mechanicals that ASCAP leaves behind.
The “Top 5” Music Markets You Must Cover
If you are streaming globally, 80% of your international money likely comes from these five places. Audiobulb covers all of them:
- United Kingdom: (PRS / MCPS)
- Germany: (GEMA)
- Japan: (JASRAC)
- France: (SACEM)
- Canada: (SOCAN / CMRRA)
FAQ: Going Global
I see streams from “Other” in my Spotify for Artists. Do I get paid for those?
Yes. “Other” usually means smaller countries. We collect from these via global reciprocal deals, so even small streams in Thailand or Norway eventually find their way to you.
Do I need to translate my lyrics for international societies?
No. However, if your song has a localized title (e.g., a Spanish version of an English song), we register it as an “Alternative Title” to ensure tracking is accurate.
What about “Foreign Withholding Tax”?
Many countries automatically tax money leaving their borders (often 30%). As your publisher, Audiobulb handles the tax treaty paperwork to minimize or eliminate this tax, ensuring more money lands in your pocket.
Summary
The world is too big to conquer alone. You need a passport for your music. By using a Publishing Administrator, you effectively open an office in every major country, ensuring that when your music travels, your money follows.
Your Next Step: Check your streaming data. Do you have listeners in London, Toronto, or Berlin? If yes, join Audiobulb today. We will register your catalog with our global network immediately.
One Response