What Does a Music Publishing Company Do? A Detailed Guide for Songwriters

As a songwriter, you likely know that your recorded songs can generate royalties. But did you also know that the underlying musical compositions themselves can generate additional royalties, separate from the recorded version? This is where music publishing comes in. But what exactly does a music publishing company do?

In this detailed guide we’ll explain everything you need to know as a songwriter about music publishing companies including

• What is music publishing and why it’s important
• The difference between sound recordings and musical compositions
• What types of royalties compositions can generate
• The role music publishing companies play
• Whether you need a publisher as an independent artist
• How to collect all the royalties you’re owed

What is Music Publishing?

Music publishing refers to the management and monetization of the musical compositions behind sound recordings As a songwriter, when you write and record a song, you are creating two distinct copyrights

• The sound recording (the recorded version of the song)
• The underlying musical composition (the written song itself – lyrics, melody, etc).

The musical composition and the sound recording each generate separate royalties when used publicly. Music publishing companies focus on managing the rights and royalties associated with the compositions, not the recordings.

This distinction is important, because it means you can earn royalties from your songs even if you don’t have a recording contract or aren’t distributing your own recordings. Your underlying songs have value on their own.

Why Music Publishing Matters

As the songwriter, you are the copyright owner of both the composition and the sound recording (unless you’ve signed away rights). That means you’re entitled to royalties when either is used publicly.

With music publishing, companies help administer the rights in your compositions, monitor their usage, and collect any royalties generated. This gives you an additional revenue stream beyond just sales and streams of your recordings.

Even if you’re releasing music independently, having your compositions registered and monitored by a publishing administrator ensures you don’t miss out on any performance, synchronization or mechanical royalties you’re owed.

Sound Recordings vs. Musical Compositions

To understand the role of music publishing, it helps to understand the key differences between sound recordings and the underlying compositions:

Sound Recordings

• The recorded version of a song
• Managed through distribution companies
• Generate royalties when the recording is played/streamed

Musical Compositions

• The written song itself – lyrics, melody, etc.
• Managed by music publishing companies
• Generate royalties when song is performed or reproduced

The sound recording and the composition are separate copyrights, requiring separate administration. Publishing companies handle the compositions.

Types of Royalties Generated

As copyright owner, your musical compositions can earn you different types of royalties when they are used, including:

• Performance Royalties – Paid when your composition is performed publicly, whether recorded or live (radio, streaming, concerts, bars, etc.)

• Mechanical Royalties – Paid when your composition is reproduced/distributed (CDs, vinyl, downloads, interactive streams, sync uses, etc.)

• Print Royalties – Paid when your composition is printed in sheet music or lyric books

• Synchronization Royalties – Paid when your composition is synchronized with visual media (films, TV, commercials, video games)

Music publishing administrators help collect all these various royalties on your behalf so you get fully paid as the copyright owner.

What Do Music Publishing Companies Do?

So what exactly are the roles and responsibilities of music publishing companies? Here are some of their primary functions:

• Copyright Administration – Handling copyright registration and protection of your compositions

• Licensing – Issuing licenses for use of your songs in film, TV, advertising, etc. and negotiating sync fees

• Royalty Collection – Registering works with PROs to collect performance royalties, tracking usage, claiming royalties globally

• Royalty Distribution – Collecting royalties and paying out your share on a timely basis

• Copyright Enforcement – Monitoring unauthorized uses of your songs and taking infringement action

• Creative Support – Facilitating collaborations with other writers/artists or pitching songs for recording artists

• Accounting & Reporting – Maintaining royalty accounts, providing accounting statements and tax documents

By handling these business matters, publishers allow you as the songwriter to focus on your creative work. But do you need one?

Do Independent Artists Need a Publishing Company?

For independent artists who write their own music, having your compositions published can represent an important separate income stream. But is handing over a portion of your publishing rights to a company necessary?

For many independent songwriters, the answer is no. You can retain full ownership of your copyrights while still collecting publishing royalties by working with an administrator like TuneCore Publishing.

With an administrator, you maintain flexibility and control without giving up any ownership. TuneCore collects all royalties globally on your behalf and pays 100% directly to you.

Once you better understand publishing, you can always consider co-publishing or selling your catalog later if you want. But an administrator lets you start building your income immediately.

How to Collect All Royalties You’re Owed

As an independent artist, here are three key steps to make sure you collect 100% of the publishing royalties you’re owed:

1. Register your compositions with your Performing Rights Organization (PRO)

This enables you to collect performance royalties whenever your songs are played publicly. Major PROs include ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.

2. Work with a publishing administrator

Companies like TuneCore Publishing will register your works in royalty databases globally to collect mechanical, sync and other royalties you are owed.

3. Release your music through a distributor

Use a digital music distributor like TuneCore to get your songs on all major streaming platforms so you can earn recording royalties too.

With these three foundations covered, you can earn royalties from both your compositions and recordings as an independent artist. Understanding music publishing is empowering!

While you don’t necessarily need to partner with a publisher as an independent artist, you should have your compositions registered and monitored by an administrator like TuneCore. This ensures you don’t leave any songwriting income on the table.