Turn Your Music into Revenue
Welcome to your interactive guide for getting paid for your music. This tool breaks down the complex world of music royalties into clear, actionable steps. We'll walk you through understanding your rights, registering your work in the UK, and collecting earnings from around the world. Let's build your music business, one step at a time.
The Two Copyrights in Every Song
This is the most important concept to grasp. Every recorded track has two separate copyrights, generating two separate streams of income. As an independent artist, you can own both. Click each side to learn more.
The Composition
This is the underlying song itself: the melody, chords, and lyrics. It's owned by the songwriter and/or their publisher.
Who it pays: Songwriters & Publishers.
Collected by: PRS for Music in the UK.
Royalties generated: Performance royalties (radio play, live gigs, streams) and Mechanical royalties (physical sales, downloads, streams).
The Master Recording
This is the specific *recorded version* of a song. It's owned by the artist and/or the record label that financed it.
Who it pays: Performing Artists & Record Labels (Rightsholders).
Collected by: PPL in the UK.
Royalties generated: Neighbouring Rights (when the recording is broadcast or played in public) and streaming/download revenue (paid via your distributor).
Your UK Royalty Roadmap
To collect all the money you're owed in the UK, you need to register with two organisations in four different capacities. Follow this path to ensure you're fully covered.
Part 1: Collect Your Songwriter & Publisher Royalties (PRS for Music)
Part 2: Collect Your Performer & Label Royalties (PPL)
Your Global Collection Strategy
Getting paid from other countries is complex. Your best strategy depends on your career stage. Select your current status to see a recommendation.
Recommended: Rely on UK Societies
Let PRS and PPL collect for you globally via their "worldwide mandates". It's the simplest way to begin. You'll consolidate payments, but might lose some money to inefficiencies and fees (PPL charges 7%).
Consider: A Publishing Administrator
Companies like Songtrust register your songs directly in many countries, rescuing royalties from the "black box". They take a commission (e.g., 15%) but you keep your rights. This is a powerful step-up when you see real international streams.
Advanced: Direct Deals
Established artists might sign direct deals with foreign publishers or societies. This is complex and administratively heavy, but offers the most control and potentially higher returns. This path usually comes after success with an administrator.
Choosing Your Partners
You'll need a distributor to get your music online, and you'll need a publishing strategy for your songs. Explore your options below.
Comparing Digital Distributors
A distributor sends your music to Spotify, Apple Music, etc., and collects your MASTER RECORDING royalties from them. Here's how some popular services compare on the commission they take from your earnings.
Your Publishing Path: Self-Publish vs. Sign a Deal
This is a major career decision about who manages your COMPOSITION rights. Use the toggle to compare the two main paths.
Your Consolidated Action Plan
Here's your checklist. Work through these steps to build your music business from the ground up. Check them off as you go!