Do you have your Music Publishing?
THE PUBLISHER’S JOB (NOT THE HYPE) Most artists think a publisher just “takes a cut.” That’s ignorance. A publisher is an operator. Here’s what actually happens behind the scenes Song Registration & Ownership Control A publisher: • Registers the song correctly • Protects ownership splits • Prevents disputes before they start No publisher = paperwork chaos = lost money. Metadata & Identification A publisher ensures: • ISWC assigned to the composition • Writer & publisher shares match • Metadata stays clean across systems Dirty metadata = invisible songs. Royalty Collection (Worldwide) A publisher collects: • Performance royalties • Mechanical royalties • International royalties If nobody’s collecting it, nobody’s paying it. Global Administration Music doesn’t stop at borders. A publisher: • Registers songs with foreign PROs • Tracks international usage • Secures money artists never knew existed Spotify streams are not the whole game. Performance Monitoring A publisher tracks: • Radio play • Live performances • Digital broadcasts • Venue reports If it wasn’t reported, it didn’t happen. Licensing & Sync Oversight A publisher: • Negotiates usage • Approves licenses • Prevents unauthorized exploitation Ownership without enforcement means nothing. Dispute Protection A publisher: • Resolves split conflicts • Handles claims • Protects catalogs long-term Artists without publishers usually lose disputes. Long-Term Asset Management Songs are assets. A publisher: • Maintains catalog value • Tracks lifespan income • Ensures royalties don’t expire unnoticed Music isn’t just art. It’s property. If you don’t have a publisher, you don’t own a system — you own a gamble. Talent gets attention. Publishing gets paid.