In a Traditional Publishing Deal, you give up a portion of your ownership (copyright) and income in exchange for an upfront payment (advance) and active career support. In an Administration Deal, you keep 100% ownership and pay a service fee (usually 10-20%) for someone to handle the paperwork and global collection.
1. The Administration Deal: “The Accountant Model”
This is what services like Audiobulb provide. It is built for the modern independent artist who wants to remain the CEO of their own career.
- Ownership: You retain 100% of your copyright. You are the sole owner.
- The Fee: The administrator takes a small commission (typically 15-20% as of 2025 standards) on the royalties they collect for you.
- The Term: Usually short (1 to 3 years). You can leave relatively easily if you aren’t happy.
- Creative Control: You decide where your music goes. The admin doesn’t “pitch” your music to movies or other artists; they just make sure that when a placement happens, the money finds its way to you.
2. The Publishing Deal: “The Partnership Model”
This is the “old school” major-label style deal. It’s a high-stakes trade-off.
- Ownership: You typically sign over 50% (Co-Publishing) or even 100% (Traditional) of your “Publisher’s Share” to the company. They effectively become a part-owner of your songs.
- The Advance: They give you a “loan” upfront. You can use this to live on or record, but you won’t see another penny in royalties until that entire loan is “recouped” (paid back) from your earnings.
- The Term: Often very long. It might be for the “Life of Copyright” (your life plus 70 years), meaning you can never get those rights back.
- Creative Support: Because they own a piece of you, they are highly incentivized to get your music into movies (Sync) or get big artists to cover your songs.
3. Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Administration Deal | Traditional/Co-Pub Deal |
| Who owns the song? | You (100%) | Shared or Publisher only |
| Upfront Money? | Rarely | Yes (The Advance) |
| Income Split | You keep ~80-90% | You keep ~50-75% |
| Duration | 1–3 years | Often Forever |
| Creative Pitching | No (Usually administrative) | Yes (Active pitching) |
| Best For… | Independent / DIY Artists | Artists needing a major career push |
4. The “Recoupment” Trap
Many artists get excited by a $50,000 advance in a traditional deal. But remember: An advance is not a salary. If your publisher takes 25% of your income and gives you a $50k advance, your songs have to generate $200,000 in total royalties before you see your next cheque. During that time, the publisher is already making money from their share, while you are essentially working for free to pay back the “loan.”
5. Why Most Indie Artists Choose Admin
In 2025, with the tools available to independent creators, giving away half your ownership is rarely necessary.
- Flexibility: If you get a massive sync deal on your own, you keep the majority of the money.
- Legacy: You own your “Master” and your “Publishing.” You can pass these assets down to your family.
- Scalability: You can start with an admin deal and, if you become a global superstar later, you still have the leverage to negotiate a better “Major” deal because you still own your rights.
FAQ: Making the Choice
Can I switch from an Admin deal to a Publishing deal?
Yes. Because admin deals are short-term and you own the rights, you can always sign a bigger publishing deal later. However, if you sign a traditional deal first, it is very difficult to “switch back” to an admin deal because you no longer own the copyright.
Does Audiobulb pitch my music for Sync?
While our primary focus is on administration (making sure you are registered and paid globally), our high-tier members often get access to our sync network. The difference is that even if we get you a sync, you still keep your ownership.
What is a “Work for Hire”?
This is the most extreme version of a publishing deal. You are paid a flat fee to write a song, and you give up all rights and all future royalties. This is common in film scoring or corporate jingles, but avoid it for your personal artist projects.
Summary
- Choose an Admin Deal if you want to keep your rights, stay independent, and take home the biggest slice of the pie.
- Choose a Publishing Deal if you need a large sum of money immediately and need a powerful team to actively open doors you can’t open yourself.
Your Next Step: If you’re ready to take control of your royalties without giving up your soul, register your catalog for an administration deal with Audiobulb. We’ll handle the global paperwork while you keep 100% of your ownership.