As an independent artist, you pour your heart and soul into creating music, but what happens when your songs are played on the radio, in clubs, or even on streaming platforms? Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) are here to ensure you're getting paid for those public performances of your music. In this blog post, we’ll explore what PROs are and how you can sign up with them to start earning royalties for the airplay your music gets.
What is a Performance Rights Organization (PRO)?
A Performance Rights Organization (PRO) is a company that collects royalties on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers when their music is publicly performed. This includes performances on the radio, in venues, on TV, and even in retail stores or restaurants. PROs ensure that when your music is played publicly, you are compensated for its use.
By registering with a PRO, artists like you can earn royalties every time your music is played in these contexts. Think of it as a way to make passive income off your hard work!
How PROs Work
When your song is played publicly, the venue or broadcaster needs to pay a licensing fee to the PRO. The PRO then distributes this fee as royalties to the artists, songwriters, and publishers who own the rights to the music. These royalties are an important part of an artist’s income, especially for independent musicians who may not have major label backing.
PROs typically offer two types of memberships:
Free Memberships: These are usually offered to songwriters and composers. They don’t require any upfront fees, and you can start collecting royalties on your music right away.
Paid Memberships: These are generally offered to music publishers or artists who manage their own catalog. There may be a membership fee, but the payout opportunities can be higher.
Top PROs to Sign Up With
Here are some of the most popular PROs that you can sign up with:
1. ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
Free membership: Songwriters can sign up for free.
Link: https://www.ascap.com
Why Sign Up?: ASCAP is one of the oldest and most well-known PROs. They offer a variety of services, including revenue collection, performance monitoring, and royalty distribution.
2. BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)
Free membership: Songwriters and composers can join for free.
Link: https://www.bmi.com
Why Sign Up?: BMI represents over 1 million songwriters, composers, and publishers. They are known for being easy to work with and have a large collection of performance data to track when your music is played.
3. SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors and Composers)
Paid membership: SESAC is selective and invites songwriters and composers to join.
Link: https://www.sesac.com
Why Sign Up?: SESAC is known for providing a more personalized service and paying higher royalties than some other PROs, but they are much more selective about who they accept into their network.
4. SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada)
Free membership: Open to songwriters and composers based in Canada.
Link: https://www.socan.com
Why Sign Up?: SOCAN is Canada’s leading PRO and represents music creators in Canada and beyond. They are particularly useful if your music is being played on radio or TV in Canada.
5. SoundExchange
Free membership: Focused on collecting digital royalties from streaming platforms.
Why Sign Up?: If your music is played on digital streaming platforms like Pandora or satellite radio, SoundExchange is the organization to sign up with. They help collect royalties for non-interactive digital performances.
6. Global Music Rights (GMR)
Paid membership: Offers exclusive licensing to songwriters.
Why Sign Up?: GMR represents some of the biggest names in music, and they offer a more selective service that can lead to higher royalty payments for their members.
7. PRS for Music (UK)
Free membership: Available to songwriters and composers based in the UK.
Why Sign Up?: PRS for Music is a key PRO in the UK and helps artists and composers earn royalties from performances of their music across various media.
Which PRO Should You Join?
Each PRO has its benefits, and depending on where you live and where your music is played, some may be more beneficial than others. Many artists, especially those who are international, choose to sign up with multiple PROs to ensure they’re collecting royalties from all over the world. If you're primarily focused on digital performances, signing up with SoundExchange can be a game-changer.
Conclusion
As an independent artist, performance royalties can be a significant source of income. By registering with one or more PROs, you’re ensuring that every time your music is played publicly, you’re getting paid. Be sure to explore the options above, and don’t forget to keep track of your performances and ensure your music is properly registered with each PRO you sign up with. Happy creating!
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