A staff writing deal is not a salary. It is a loan against your future royalties. Here is how the deals work, what publishers actually want, and how to position yourself.
Your song is not going to find an artist on its own. You need the right package, the right contact, and the right timing. Here is how pitching actually works.
The song has 5 million streams. You wrote 50% of it. But you forgot to register the splits correctly with your PRO. Now nobody gets paid. Here is how to do it right.
A handshake is not a business plan. Here is what to put in a music collaboration agreement before you start recording, so nobody fights over ownership when the song does well.
Setting up your own music publishing company lets you collect the publisher's share of royalties that would otherwise go unclaimed. This guide explains what a publishing company does, how to register one, and what to do once it is set up.
A co-publishing deal splits the publisher's share of your songwriting income with a music publisher in exchange for an advance, administration, and creative services. This guide explains how co-pub deals work, what you keep and what you give up, and how to decide if one is right for you.
Missing royalties are more common than most artists realize. This guide explains why payments go wrong, how to audit your royalty statements, and the exact steps to dispute underpayments with distributors, PROs, and publishers.
A music advance is not a loan, but it is not free money either. This guide explains how advances work, what recoupment means, the difference between label and publishing advances, and how to think about whether an advance makes sense for your career.
Understanding music copyright is essential for every artist. This guide covers what copyright protects, how registration works, fair use, sampling rules, and how to enforce your rights.
Signing a music contract without understanding it can cost you rights, royalties, and years of your career. This guide explains the key contract types, red flags, essential terms, and when you need a lawyer.
A complete guide to music publishing deals, royalty splits, songwriter rights, and how publishing income works for artists and creators.
Understand how music publishing works, the difference between mechanical and performance royalties, types of publishing deals, and how to collect every penny you are owed as a songwriter. Includes real numbers and actionable registration steps.
Everything independent artists need to know about mechanical royalties in 2026. Learn what they are, how rates work, the role of the MLC and Harry Fox Agency, and step-by-step instructions to collect every penny.
Sony Music Publishing is the world's largest music publisher by market share, formed from the merger of Sony/ATV and EMI Music Publishing. Its sync licensing division places songwriter catalogs across film, television, advertising, video games, and trailers. Represents historic catalogs including the Beatles, Michael Jackson's Mijac catalog, and a vast roster of contemporary songwriters. Acquired Recognition Music Group (45,000 songs, formerly Hipgnosis portfolio) in July 2026. Does not accept unsolicited submissions.
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is the music publishing division of Universal Music Group and one of the largest music publishers in the world. Its sync licensing division places songwriter catalogs across film, television, advertising, video games, and trailers. Represents a vast roster of songwriters and producers across all genres. Does not accept unsolicited submissions.
Concord Music Publishing's sync division is a global synchronization licensing operation based in New York City with teams in the US, UK, Germany, and Australia. The division licenses Concord's catalog of songs for film, TV, advertising, trailers, and gaming, including works by Rodgers and Hammerstein, John Fogerty, Phil Collins, Genesis, and Robert Johnson.
