Songwriter Income Chart

Songwriter Income Chart: 12 Ways to Get Paid

 Income Type

 Description

 Collected/Paid By

1. Performance Royalties

For public use (radio, streaming, live shows)

PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, etc.)

2. Mechanical Royalties

For digital/physical reproduction (CDs, downloads, streams)

MLC (U.S.), Publishers

3. Sync Licensing Fees

For placement in TV, film, ads, games

Sync Agents, Supervisors, Publishers

4. Print Music Royalties

For sheet music and lyrics sales

Publishers, Print Licensing Agencies

5. International Royalties

Global use of your music

PROs (via international affiliates)

6. Self-Releasing Sales

Direct digital or physical sales (Bandcamp, Shopify, etc.)

Fans (minus platform fees)

7. Digital Downloads

Song sales on iTunes, Amazon, etc.

DSPs & Distributors (DistroKid, CD Baby, etc.)

8. Crowdfunding/Subscriptions

Fan support via platforms like Patreon or Kickstarter

Fans via Crowdfunding Sites

9. Publishing Advances

Upfront money from a publisher for rights/co-rights

Publisher

10. Work-for-Hire Fees

One-time songwriting service (e.g., ghostwriting)

Clients/Labels

11. Writing for Artists

Royalties from songs you wrote that others record

PROs, Labels, Publishers

12. Sync Library Revenue

Earnings from music in sync libraries

Sync Library Platforms



 Legend:

  • PRO = Performing Rights Organization (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)
  • MLC = Mechanical Licensing Collective
  • DSP = Digital Service Provider (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)
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