Guides

Every society, explained.

How publishing administration actually works, from PROs and the MLC to HFA and international CMOs. Built for songwriters who want clear, practical answers.

Featured guide

4 min read

What YouTube Content ID Pays Songwriters

What Content ID claims, why songwriters can't get direct access, and how the composition side of YouTube money actually reaches you.

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5 min read

How to Register Your Song, Step by Step

Every place a song has to be registered, in the order that actually works — PRO, ISWC, the MLC, SoundExchange, and international.

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5 min read

How to Collect International Music Royalties

Your PRO doesn't collect worldwide. How reciprocal agreements move money between societies, where it leaks, and what you can do about it.

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6 min read

Performing Rights Organizations: How to Join a PRO

How to join a performing rights organization, what a PRO collects, and why your songs earn nothing on the performance side until you have an IPI number.

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8 min read

Sync Licensing for Independent Songwriters

How sync licensing actually works for indie songwriters: master vs publishing sync, deal sizes, cue sheets, sync agents, and what to keep in-house.

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9 min read

SoundExchange for Independent Artists: How to Get Paid

SoundExchange collects US digital performance royalties for master owners and featured performers. How registration, matching, and payouts actually work.

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6 min read

Publishing Administration for Independent Songwriters

What a publishing admin actually does, what they charge, what to look for, and the questions to ask before you sign.

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8 min read

Neighboring Rights for Independent Artists

Neighboring rights pay the master owner and performers when a recording is publicly performed. How they work in the US vs internationally, and how to collect.

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6 min read

The MLC for Songwriters: US Streaming Mechanicals

The MLC collects every US streaming mechanical royalty owed to songwriters. Registration mechanics, the unmatched pool, payout cadence, and gotchas.

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10 min read

ISWC Codes Explained: The Global ID for Your Songs

An ISWC is the global ID for a composition. Format, how to get one via your PRO, why the MLC needs it, and how indie writers lose theirs.

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5 min read

BMI for Songwriters: How It Works and How to Register

BMI is one of the three US PROs. A practical breakdown of what it collects, payout schedules, registration mechanics, and how it differs from ASCAP.

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6 min read

ASCAP for Songwriters: How It Works and What It Pays

ASCAP collects performance royalties for songwriters. A practical breakdown of what it does, what it doesn't, payouts, and where you still need help.

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