Big publishers offer prestige and advances, but they take a massive cut of your ownership (usually 50% of the publisher’s share) and often ignore smaller artists on their massive rosters. Audiobulb is a new breed of independent publisher that lets you keep 100% of your royalties for a flat fee of $19.99/year, while providing active usage tracking that even the “majors” often overlook for indie acts.
1. Major Publishers: The “Big Fish” Model
Companies like Sony, Universal, and Warner are the giants of the industry.
- The Pro: They have the biggest budgets for advances and the most “clout” for massive sync placements (like a Super Bowl commercial).
- The Con: You are one of thousands. Unless you are already a Top 40 artist, your songs often sit in a database without any active “pushing.”
- The Cost: They typically take 50% of your Publisher’s Share and may own your copyrights for decades.
2. Standard Admin Services: The “Mid-Tier”
Companies like Songtrust or TuneCore Publishing are “Administrative” publishers.
- The Pro: They don’t take your ownership. You stay independent.
- The Con: They take a commission (usually 15–20%) on every dollar you earn. As your song grows, their fee grows with it. They are “passive” collectors—they wait for the money to come to them rather than hunting for it.
3. The Audiobulb Model: The “Disruptor”
We built Audiobulb specifically to solve the “Small Fish in a Big Pond” problem. We operate as a tech-forward independent publisher that prioritizes retention and protection.
- Keep Everything: We do not retain any of your publishing royalties. Whether your song makes $10 or $10,000, 100% of the publisher’s share goes to you.
- Active Tracking: Most publishers only “register” your song and wait. We constantly track your music’s usage across the web to prevent unfair or unauthorized use. If someone is using your music without a license, we find it.
- Flat-Fee Transparency: Instead of taking a percentage of your success, we charge a flat $19.99/year. This means your costs stay predictable while your income remains uncapped.
Comparison: Which Model Wins?
| Feature | Major Publisher | Standard Admin | Audiobulb |
| Royalty Cut | 50% (High) | 15–20% (Medium) | 0% (Zero) |
| Ownership | They own a piece of you. | You own it. | You own it 100%. |
| Cost | “Free” (but high commission) | Commission-based | $19.99/year (Flat) |
| Usage Tracking | Human-led (Top Artists only) | Passive (Wait & See) | Active (Constant Scan) |
| Best For… | Superstars | Established indies | Independent Creators |
4. Why “Active Tracking” Matters in 2025
In the age of AI-generated content and social media “remix culture,” your music is being used in more places than ever—and many of them are not paying you.
- The Major Problem: A big publisher won’t spend their team’s time chasing a TikTok video with 50,000 views because the “split” for them is too small.
- The Audiobulb Solution: We use technology to monitor the digital landscape for your music. By protecting you from “unfair use,” we ensure that every time your melody is heard, the proper license or royalty is triggered.
5. The “Math” of Independence
Let’s look at a song that earns $1,000 in publishing royalties:
- Major Publisher: Takes $500. You keep $500.
- Standard Admin (15%): Takes $150. You keep $850.
- Audiobulb: You keep $1,000. (Minus your $19.99 annual subscription).
As your career scales, the “Percentage Model” becomes a massive tax on your success. The “Flat-Fee Model” ensures that as you get bigger, your profit margins grow with you.
Summary
If you need a $100,000 loan and are willing to give up half your business to get it, sign with a Major. But if you want to own your future, protect your music from unauthorized use, and keep every cent you earn, the independent startup model is the only logical choice.
Your Next Step: Stop paying a “success tax” to your publisher. Switch to Audiobulb for $19.99/year and start collecting 100% of your global publishing royalties while we handle the tracking and protection.