MUSIC PUBLISHING ADMINISTRATION OPTIONS

“IF YOU ARE A BRAND-NEW SONGWRITER AND JUST GETTING GOING, SIGN UP FOR SONGTRUST IMMEDIATELY."

- EMILY WHITE, AUTHOR, 'HOW TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE MUSIC CAREER & COLLECT ALL REVENUE STREAMS'

Below is a breakdown of the core music publishing administration offerings of Songtrust, as well as other options in the market. Every service is different, so it’s important that you choose the one that best meets your needs.

  • Pricing: One-time, $100 registration fee. You keep 85% of royalties earned
  • Royalty Collection Reach: 215 countries and territories around the world, the largest collection network in the industry
  • Royalty Types: Mechanical, performance, and micro-sync
  • Barrier to Entry: None - anyone who has released music can become a client of Songtrust
  • Collects from YouTube: Yes
  • Minimum Term Length: One year
    • Pricing: They keep 20% on domestic US royalties collected and 25% for international collection.
    • Royalty Collection Reach: Undisclosed.
    • Royalty Types: Mechanical and performance.
    • Barrier to Entry: Application required.
    • Collects from YouTube: Yes.
    • Minimum Term Length: Four years.
    • Pricing: They keep 20% of the mechanical royalties they collect, and charge a 30% administrative fee for any royalties accrued before the date of sign up. Audiam also has a 25% administration fee for what is collected from YouTube for videos using your music outside of your channel.
    • Royalty Collection Reach: US and Canadian streaming mechanicals.
    • Royalty Types: Mechanical.
    • Barrier to Entry: None.
    • Collects from YouTube: Yes.
    • Minimum Term Length: One year.
    • Pricing: No upfront fee, and the commission rates vary client-by-client.
    • Royalty Collection Reach: Undisclosed.
    • Royalty Types: Mechanical and performance.
    • Barrier to Entry: Yes. Create Music Group is a traditional publisher who makes offers to clients on a selective basis.
    • Collects from YouTube: Yes.
    • Minimum Term Length: Varies.
    • Pricing: No upfront fee, and the commission rates vary client-by-client.
    • Royalty Collection Reach: Undisclosed.
    • Royalty Types: Mechanical, performance, and neighbouring rights.
    • Barrier to Entry: Yes. Kobalt is a traditional publisher who makes offers to clients on a selective basis.
    • Collects from YouTube: Yes.
    • Minimum Term Length: Varies.
    • Pricing: They keep 20% of the music publishing royalties they collect.
    • Royalty Collection Reach: 120 territories.
    • Royalty Types: Mechanical and performance.
    • Barrier to Entry: None.
    • Collects from YouTube: Yes.
    • Minimum Term Length: 28-day rolling term.
    • Pricing: $75 upfront fee. 15% on music publishing royalty earnings.
    • Royalty Collection Reach: 65 territories.
    • Royalty Types: Mechanical and performance.
    • Barrier to Entry: None.
    • Collects from YouTube: Yes.
    • Minimum Term Length: One year.

  • Your Performing Rights Organization (PRO) collects performance royalties in its home territory. While they are able to collect international royalties, they do so through reciprocal deals with foreign PROs which often result in delayed registrations, if the songs are able to get registered at all. This can also cause delayed and incomplete royalty statements from foreign territories.

    We register your works directly with PROs around the world in order to collect your royalties directly from the territories in which they were generated. This helps you get paid quicker, and receive more detailed royalty statements.

    In addition, your PRO does not collect mechanical royalties generated from sales/streams. We are affiliated with mechanical collection societies and directly with some digital services in order to collect your mechanical royalties internationally.

    Check out a current list of our global collection list here

Songtrust In The News:

  • Variety - How the Music Industry Can Do Better for Female Songwriters and Producers (Guest Songtrust Column) - Read more here.
  • Music Business Worldwide - Songtrust Sees Record Growth in 2019, Company Now Represents Over 300,000 Creators - Read more here.
  • Music Ally -Songtrust royalty collections have grown by nearly 250% in 2019 - Read more here.