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 […]
What Is a Sub-Publisher? (How to Collect International Royalties)
A Sub-Publisher is a local partner in a foreign country that represents your music catalog in that specific territory. Their job is to register your songs with local societies (like GEMA in Germany or SACEM in France), collect royalties in the local currency, and transfer the money back to your main publisher. Without them, your […]
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. […]
Can I Be My Own Music Publisher? (DIY vs. Admin Deals)
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, […]
Do You Need a Music Publisher if You Use DistroKid or TuneCore? (The Truth)
The Bottom Line Up Front: Yes. DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby are Distributors, not Publishers. Their primary job is to collect “Master Royalties” from streams. They do not automatically collect “Mechanical Royalties” or “International Performance Royalties” for your songwriting. Unless you have a separate publishing agreement, roughly 15–20% of your total earned income is sitting […]
Distributor vs. PRO vs. Publisher: Who Collects What? (2026 Guide)
The Bottom Line Up Front: You need all three. A Distributor gets your recorded music onto Spotify and Apple Music. A PRO (Performing Rights Organization) collects royalties when your songs are played in public (radio, venues). A Publisher collects mechanical royalties and global income that the other two miss. If you are missing one of […]
What Does a Music Publisher Do? (Royalties, Splits & Rights)
Confused by music publishing? We break down exactly what a music publisher does, the difference between publishers vs. record labels, and standard royalty splits in 2025. What Exactly Does a Music Publisher Do? The Bottom Line Up Front: A music publisher manages the composition copyright of your song (the lyrics and melody), not the recording. […]