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Music Licensing, Copyrights & Publishing

A collection of articles from the Disc Makers blog that relate to music licensing, copyrights, and publishing.

Tonys music streaming Graph

How Much Does Streaming Pay?

August 22, 2019November 17, 2020 Tony van Veen

When you analyze the money you can earn from streaming, you’ll find it’s difficult (at best) to earn enough to support yourself as an artist. But streaming is still valuable: it can be a gateway to discovery and other means of monetizing your fan base. Read the post.

justify piracy

When musicians justify piracy

August 20, 2019August 20, 2019 Wade Sutton

If you won’t respect somebody’s art enough to pay for it, what makes you think you deserve the same in return? Read the post.

indie music minute

The Indie Music Minute’s greatest hits

July 23, 2019July 23, 2019 Tony van Veen

Here are three of our most popular Indie Music Minute videos so far, tackling the topics of being your own record label, mixing vs. mastering, and getting a mechanical license for YouTube. Read the post.

music revenue streams

Collect everything your recorded music can earn: Pt. II

June 19, 2019July 1, 2019 Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan

Music revenue streams that were once only available to the traditional music industry are now available to independent musicians if you know how to collect them. Read the post.

music revenue streams

Collect everything your recorded music can earn: Pt. I

June 12, 2019June 10, 2019 Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan

Music revenue streams that were once only available to the traditional music industry are now available to independent musicians — if you know how to collect them. Read the post.

cue sheets

Maximize your royalties by submitting cue sheets

May 28, 2019June 14, 2019 Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan

Music licensing for film, TV, movie trailers, video, and advertising generates lucrative sync licenses and even boosts your performance royalties — but only if you submit cue sheets. Read the post.

one song

How to unlock dozens of revenue streams from one song

May 14, 2019October 14, 2019 Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan

Your one song can create dozens of hidden revenue streams. Make more income from the fans and musicians who want access to your source tracks, stems, sounds, and more. Read the post.

copyright my song

Should I copyright my song?

April 24, 2019March 24, 2020 Johnny Dwinell and Brent Baxter

Per the Copyright Act of 1976, as soon as your song is in a fixed form, you own the copyright. So usually what people are talking about is registering the copyright when they ask, “Should I copyright my song?” Read the post.

A stack of media that has been properly tagged with music metadata for music libraries

Music metadata: The secret ingredient to getting discovered in music libraries

August 2, 2018August 24, 2018 Dave Kusek

Getting discovered in music libraries is not a game of luck. Increasing your chances of being returned in search results comes down to defining relevant and descriptive music metadata for the songs you upload. Read the post.

song pitch

The song pitch: 9 tips for getting your songs heard by major artists

February 14, 2018October 29, 2018 Michael Gallant

We spoke to a music industry veteran to get 10 tips on how to perfect your song pitch and maximize your chances of major artists hearing – and possibly recording – one of your original songs. Read More.

landing a cut

Landing a cut can jump-start your music career: Mailbox money, Part III

February 9, 2018March 1, 2018 Brent Baxter

Being a performing artist isn’t the only way to make a living in the music business. Landing a cut can be a way to kick off your solo career, or it could be a way to long-term success as a songwriter. Read More.

mailbox money pitching your songs

The first steps to pitching your songs: Mailbox money, Part II

January 26, 2018March 1, 2018 Brent Baxter

You may already have the makings of a network that can help you pitch your songs to other artists — maybe even signed artists. Do your homework. You might be sitting on a mountain of contacts who could open doors of opportunity for you to earn some mailbox money. Read More.

music libraries

3 steps to get your songs in music libraries

October 12, 2017December 22, 2020 Dave Kusek

For indie musicians and songwriters who don’t yet have connections in publishing and licensing, music libraries are one way you can seek music licensing opportunities. Read the post.

Music Licensing Deal

5 things you should do before you seek a music licensing deal

September 12, 2017June 1, 2020 Dave Kusek

These five steps might not be fun or glamorous, but they’re necessary if you’re serious about seeking a music licensing deal. Read More.

cue sheets

How cue sheets help you get paid for TV and film placements

August 7, 2017August 14, 2017 Music Opps

A cue sheet is a written synopsis of the music used in a production and is one way to ensure all the stakeholders in a song are compensated adequately. Read More.

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