FAQ

You can set up your own publishing company by filling out an application at your local performing rights organization.

You can perform any song you want- but, if you record a song and then sell the CD, you’ll need a mechanical license.

Faculty Comments:

“You are free to perform songs that are in general release without permission of the writer or publisher. If you choose to record the song and sell the music, then you would be required to obtain a mechanical license from the publisher or the publishers representative.”

- J.W. Johnson, Artist Relations Executive & Songwriter101 Faculty Member

You can advertise in any number of music trades like Billboard or contact organizations that deal with music industry employment (NARIP, for one) to find someone to handle your publishing catalog (if you’re willing to pay a salary). Publishing administrators wear many hats, from trying to place music to collecting money to making sure the paperwork is up to date. Administrators find money in anything that uses music-film, TV, advertising, web sites, ad infinitum.

You should register your songs as soon as you have officially registered as a songwriter. Again, most offer online works registration or you can call your local office for the paperwork.

Go to your profile page by clicking on your name in the upper right.

The button to log out is labeled “Logout”.

UPC codes are used to track inventory as well as to track distribution and retail sales; SoundScan is unable to track your sales without a UPC Code. You can get a UPC Code from several sources:

1) You can register directly with the Uniform Code Council. To find out more
about UCC membership, visit their website at http://www.uc-council.org

2) Ask your record label or CD manufacturer

3) Companies like CD Baby offer UPC barcodes for a lower fee. To find out more
about this service, visit their website at http://www.cdbaby.net

When it comes to demos, the simpler the better. Nothing ruins a great song like a bad presentation so keep it to three songs maximum with guitar and vocals, or piano and vocals only. Always leave room for the imagination of the listener. See Don’t Demo to Death! article.

If you’re serious about your band, then it is worth the expense of paying an entertainment attorney to draw up a legal agreement so you can set the parameters of your partnership in place right from the start. Otherwise, you’re setting landmines for yourself in any future dealings between bandmates. If you’re all professionals, approaching the band about this shouldn’t be difficult. If someone balks, you’ll know right away that this isn’t someone you should be partnering with to form a long-term business venture.

Most offer online registration. For example, you can affiliate with BMI by logging on at http://bmi.com/join You can call your local office to get the paperwork by mail, if you prefer.

There is no set formula. It is up to you and your publisher to negotiate the terms of a publishing deal.