Can I Get Royalties if I Distribute Through DistroKid but Don’t Have a Publisher?
Yes, you will receive a paycheck from DistroKid, but it is not your full royalty. DistroKid only collects the Master/Sound Recording royalties. Without a publisher, you are missing out on Mechanical Royalties and the Publisher’s Share of Performance Royalties, which can account for 15% to 25% of your total earned income. DistroKid is an incredible […]
How Long Does It Take to Get Paid Royalties After a Song Release?
On average, it takes 2 to 3 months to receive your first streaming payout from a distributor, but 6 to 12 months to receive your first publishing and international royalties. The music industry operates on a “lag.” A song streamed in January might not put money in your pocket until April (for streaming) or July […]
How Are Royalties Calculated on Spotify and YouTube?
Spotify and YouTube do not pay a “fixed rate” per stream. Instead, they use a pro-rata system based on total revenue and market share. On average, a Spotify stream is worth roughly $0.003 to $0.005, but that money is split into two halves: the Master share (for the recording) and the Publishing share (for the […]
How Are Royalties Split Between Songwriters and Publishers?
In the eyes of the law, every song is divided into two equal halves: the Writer’s Share (50%) and the Publisher’s Share (50%). Even if you are an independent artist who writes 100% of your own music, your royalties are still split into these two buckets. To get paid “in full,” you must be set […]
Who Pays Mechanical Royalties, and How Do I Collect Them?
Mechanical royalties are paid by Streaming Services (Spotify, Apple Music) and Physical Manufacturers (Vinyl/CD plants). In the US, this money is sent to The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective).1 To collect it, you cannot rely on ASCAP or DistroKid; you must either register with The MLC directly or use a Publishing Administrator like Audiobulb. In the […]
The 4 Main Types of Music Royalties Explained (And Who Pays Them)
Every time a song is played, it generates multiple “paychecks” or royalties. These are categorized into four main types: Performance, Mechanical, Sync, and Print. Most independent artists focus only on streaming, but to build a sustainable career, you must understand how to collect from all four streams. Music royalties can feel like a maze of […]
The Ultimate Music Royalty Checklist: Are You Collecting All Your Money?
To collect 100% of the money your music earns, you need four specific registrations. Most independent artists only have one (Distribution). If you do not have a Distributor, a PRO, a Publishing Administrator, and a SoundExchange account, you are likely losing 30–50% of your potential revenue. The most dangerous feeling in the music business is […]
Decoding Music Credits: What “Administered By” & PRO Acronyms Mean
Music credits are the roadmap for royalties. If you see “Administered By“, it means the songwriter owns the copyright, but a company handles the paperwork. If you see Multiple Publishers, it means the song had multiple co-writers. If you see ASCAP/BMI, those are the societies tracking the money. Understanding these terms is the difference between […]
Publishing vs. Sync Licensing: What’s the Difference?
“Publishing” is the umbrella term for managing your song’s copyright and collecting royalties from all sources (streaming, radio, live). “Sync Licensing” is a specific type of publishing income. It happens when your music is “synchronized” with visual media (TV, ads, movies, games). While standard publishing pays pennies over a long period, Sync Licensing often pays […]
When Is the Next BMI Royalty Payment? (2025-2026 Schedule)
The next BMI royalty payment is scheduled for February 20, 2026. This distribution will cover performances that occurred during the 3rd Quarter of 2025 (July 1 – September 30, 2025). If you are an independent artist or songwriter, cash flow is everything. Unlike a regular 9-to-5 paycheck, music royalties arrive on a strict quarterly schedule. […]