A look at the Music Modernization Act
Music creatives of all types, along with the entire digital music ecosystem, celebrated the signing of the Hatch-Goodlatte Music Modernization Act into law on October 11, 2018. Read the post.
music publishing
Don’t miss out on SoundExchange royalties
SoundExchange has paid out more than $5 billion to its more than 155,000 members since its founding in 2000. Do you have SoundExchange royalties waiting for you? Read the post.
Crafting the right song demo can maximize the chances of having your music cut by major artists
Your song has to be great for you to have a chance at landing a cut with a major artist, and your song demo has to hit the right notes, too. Read More.
Are you writing for an audience of one, or one million? Mailbox Money, Part 4
If you’re hoping to land a cut, there’s one listener who definitely must connect with your song: the artist you’re pitching to. That’s your first listener, the one who will hear it before the masses. Read More.
The song pitch: 9 tips for getting your songs heard by major artists
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 can jump-start your music career: Mailbox money, Part III
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.
The first steps to pitching your songs: Mailbox money, Part II
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.
Mailbox money: How cuts can increase your money-making potential
A “pitch” is when a song is presented to an artist in the hopes the artist will record it. When an artist records your song, it is commonly called a “cut.” When you get a cut, it can lead to a wonderful thing called “mailbox money.” Read More.
3 steps to get your songs in music libraries
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 More.
5 things you should do before you seek a music licensing deal
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.
How cue sheets help you get paid for TV and film placements
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.
Copyright termination: McCartney, Duran Duran, and the YMCA.
Copyright termination is giving music artists the opportunity to reclaim the rights to their songs. The stories of Duran Duran, Paul McCartney and The Village People’s Victor Willis tell the tale. Read More.
Performing Rights Organizations – a history and overview
Performing Rights Organizations aggregate the performing rights of writers and publishers and then negotiate licenses with all the users of music, collect the income from those licenses, and distribute that income. Read More.
Music News: Adele breaks sales’ record, Willie Nelson gets Gershwin Award, Shrapnel records catalog acquired by The Orchard
Whatever you think of Adele’s decision to follow the likes of Taylor Swift and Thom Yorke and sidestep streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify, she’s proven again that she has the star power and “four quadrant” appeal to change the trajectory of album sales for the industry this year. Read more.
The ABCs of music libraries
Everyone wants to know how to make a little extra cash with their music, and music licensing is an appealing option for many independent musicians. There are measurable differences between the different levels of music libraries – finding the ones for you depends on your experience and business model. Read more.