How important is music publishing? Well, in 2017 consumer spending on music generated more than $20 billion but music businesses, including labels and publishers, took almost $10 billion, while artists received just $5.1 billion and most of the artist revenue came from touring. Let us also not forget that in 2016 Sony bought the 50% hold the Michael Jackson estate had on Sony/ATV publishing for $750 million.
Long story short, there is a lot of money to be made in music publishing which is why new artists really need to understand how music publishing works. While everyone is in the business to make money, there are still a few sites that offer some valuable information to help aspiring music makers reach their fullest potential when it comes to making music and getting the most of their music publishing. All you novices should check out these ten resources.
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10. SoundonSound.com
Sound on Sound is an independently owned monthly music technology magazine published by SOS Publications Group. Although they are based in the UK, and their main focus in on technology, they actually provide very good articles on music publishing from time to time.
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9. Stem.com
Stem prides itself on the premise that they educate, inspire and empower artists to build their business. They are distribution company but with distribution, an artist must understand publishing, therefore, if you check out their blog, they post great info on the business of music publishing.
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8. Avoranow.com
At the heart of what they do, Avora Now is a music distributor but they dabble in licensing and music management as well. While you actually have to be invited to use their platform, the golden information actually lives within the cyberspace of their Instagram account. They actually give great music publishing and other music industry advice via their IG.
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7. BMI.com
While most people should be familiar with BMI because they are one of the biggest music rights management organizations in the business, some may not know that they provide some great advice via their blog. They have an entire section based on educating aspiring publishers on how to start their own music publishing companies.
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6. Tunecore.com
If you are in the business then you are fully aware of Tunecore but if you are an aspiring artist, you may not be privy to what they offer. Essentially Tunecore is an independent digital music distribution, publishing, and licensing service. They also offer music publishing administration services, helping songwriters register their compositions and collect royalties internationally. The beauty of Tunecore is you don’t even have to distribute your music through them to get a few gems. They actually publish a Music Publishing 101 segment that anyone can take advantage of.
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5. Songwriteruniverse.com
Songwriter Univers is all about empowering the songwriter. They are an online music magazine that features interviews/articles with top artists, hit songwriters, producers, and music execs. Some of their music publishing articles are top-notch. You may want to check them out.
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4. Songtrust.com
Technically speaking Songtrust is a global digital rights management platform that allows songwriters and artists to manage their music publishing and related rights. They pride themselves on making music publishing less complex to the artists who need it most. Besides all of that, they publish quite a few gems about music publishing that could help anyone in the business.
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3. ASCAP.com
While most people have heard of ASCAP, they may not exactly what they do. ASCAP is a non-profit performance-rights organization (PRO) that protects its members’ musical copyrights by monitoring public performances of their music, whether via a broadcast or live performance, and compensating them accordingly.
ASCAP collects licensing fees from users of music created by ASCAP members, then distributes them back to its members as royalties. In effect, the arrangement is the product of a compromise: when a song is played, the user does not have to pay the copyright holder directly, nor does the music creator have to bill a radio station for use of a song. As an ASCAP member myself, I often peruse the articles, watch the interviews, and check out the ASCAP Corner from time to time to stay up on the latest in music publishing.
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2. Andthewriteris.com
While all the previous resources have been websites, And The Writer Is, is actually a podcast. The show is produced by Ross Golan and Joe London. Golan is a multi-platinum songwriter. He studied music at the University of Southern California and has since released songs with artists including Maroon 5, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Lady Antebellum and many more. Joe London is a Grammy-nominated writer/producer who co-wrote Thomas Rhett’s Grammy-nominated/BMI Country Song of the Year, “Die A Happy Man” and co-produced Rhett’s hit singles “Star of the Show” and “Craving You (feat. Maren Morris)”. He also co-wrote & co-produced on Thomas’ Grammy-nominated album Life Changes including the #1 single “Sixteen”. Joe co-wrote and produced Jason Derulo’s “Wiggle feat. Snoop”, Pitbull’s “Fireball,” and too many more to name. They have great guests on the show and they really go into the business side of music. Music publishing is always a hot topic so I suggest you listen.
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1. Diymusician.cdbaby.com
If you look at an artist like Chance the Rapper, we live in an age of Do It Yourself artists. Diymusician is a platform on cdbaby.com that literally teaches artists how to do everything for themselves. They have youtube videos as well that go into the depths of music publishing and beyond. While CDBaby is another distribution platform, they offer valuable information on music publishing for all your aspiring do it yourselfers.