How Do Publishers Help Songwriters Make Money?
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What a Publisher Does for a Songwriter
|
Role |
Description |
|
Royalty Collection |
Registers your songs and collects publishing income (performance, mechanical, sync, etc.) |
|
Song Promotion (Pitching) |
Submits your songs to artists, record labels, TV, film, and ad opportunities |
|
Copyright Administration |
Registers songs with PROs, The MLC, international societies, and monitors usage |
|
Sync Licensing |
Negotiates sync fees for TV, film, games, and commercials |
|
Creative Development |
Offers co-writing opportunities, feedback, and connections |
Royalties a Publisher Helps Collect
|
Royalty Type |
Who Pays? |
|
Performance Royalties |
PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, etc.) |
|
Mechanical Royalties |
The MLC (U.S.), foreign CMOs |
|
Sync Licensing Fees |
Film/TV studios, brands, ad agencies |
|
International Royalties |
Foreign PROs and publishers via sub-publishing deals |
🔄 Types of Publishing Deals
|
Deal Type |
You Keep Publishing? |
Notes |
|
Admin Deal |
Yes |
Publisher collects and manages royalties for a fee (10–25%) |
|
Co-Publishing |
Partial |
You split publishing rights and revenue (often 50/50) |
|
Full Publishing |
No |
Publisher owns 100% publishing; rare for indie writers today |
Pro Tips
- Start with an admin publisher (like Songtrust) to keep your rights and still collect worldwide
- If offered a co-pub deal, negotiate the split, term length, and reversion rights
- Ask what services the publisher provides beyond royalty collection—do they pitch? Place? Develop talent?
- Make sure the publisher registers all your songs correctly with every global society
Bottom Line:
A publisher is your business partner for the life of a song. The right one helps you earn more money from more places—while you stay focused on creating.
