Understanding music rights and royalties
Disc Makers’ CEO Tony van Veen has started a new video series aimed at answering your questions about copyrights, how you’re paid for them, and what you need to do to collect your royalties. Read the post.
song publishing
Songwriting Dos and Don’ts
A recent “Play For a Publisher” event featured Stacey Willbur, VP of Publishing and A&R for Full Circle Music sharing her feedback about 10 songs that were selected to be showcased. Read the post.
Music publishing for 2nd graders
A friend of mine wanted me to explain music publishing and he asked me to “use language a 2nd grader would understand.” I figured this could serve our blog readers who need a primer (or refresher). Enjoy! Read the post.
The story of “The Happy Song” (or “The joy of musical manipulation”)
“The Happy Song” is music that is scientifically engineered to make a baby happy. Is it freaky mind control or brilliant use of resources? Or a bit of both? Read the post.
License your music (and generate revenue)
Excerpted from our latest guide, this post gives an overview of what music licensing is and lays out five things you can do to boost your chances to license your music. Read the post.
What can you learn from Taylor Swift’s master rights predicament?
Taylor Swift’s latest industry tussle raises lots of questions for music artists. Who’s right, who’s wrong, and most importantly, what can you learn so you can avoid having to fight for your master rights? Read the post.
Collect everything your recorded music can earn: Pt. II
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.
Collect everything your recorded music can earn: Pt. I
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.
Maximize your royalties by submitting cue sheets
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.
Should I copyright my song?
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 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.
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.
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 the post.
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.