As a musician, collecting royalties is an important part of earning revenue from your music. There are different types of royalties, such as performance, mechanical, and sync royalties, that you can collect as an artist. In this article, we’ll explore how to collect royalties as an artist, with a focus on these three types of royalties.
Performance royalties:
Performance royalties are earned when your music is played in public, such as on the radio or in a live venue. To collect performance royalties, you need to register your music with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. These organizations collect royalties on behalf of songwriters and publishers and distribute the earnings to their members.
Mechanical royalties:
Mechanical royalties are earned when your music is reproduced or distributed, such as when it’s streamed or downloaded. To collect mechanical royalties, you need to register your music with a mechanical rights organization such as the Harry Fox Agency or Music Reports. These organizations collect mechanical royalties and distribute them to songwriters and publishers.
Sync royalties:
Sync royalties are earned when your music is used in TV shows, movies, commercials, or other media. To collect sync royalties, you need to work with a sync licensing agency such as Songtradr or Musicbed. These agencies license your music for use in media and collect sync royalties on your behalf.
In addition to registering your music and working with these organizations, there are other steps you can take to increase your chances of collecting royalties. Here are some tips:
- Keep track of your music’s usage:
Make a list of where your music is being played or used, such as on radio stations or in TV shows. This can help you identify any missed royalty payments and ensure that you’re collecting all the royalties you’re owed.
- Promote your music:
Promote your music through social media and other channels to increase its visibility and reach. This can help you earn more royalties by getting your music in front of more listeners.
- Collaborate with other artists and creators:
Collaborating with other artists and creators can help you reach new audiences and increase your chances of earning royalties. For example, you could work with a filmmaker to create a music video that features your music.
- Use digital distribution platforms:
Use digital distribution platforms such as DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby to distribute your music to streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. This can help you earn more mechanical royalties by making your music more widely available.
In conclusion, collecting royalties as an artist requires a combination of registering your music with the right organizations and taking proactive steps to promote your music and increase its visibility. By keeping track of your music’s usage, collaborating with others, using digital distribution platforms, and promoting your music, you can increase your chances of collecting performance, mechanical, and sync royalties and generating more revenue from your music.