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Frequently Asked Questions

  • We charge a one-time fee of $100 per writer to cover admin costs and take a 15% commission on any royalties collected on your behalf.

  • The short answer: Your PRO only collects half of what your song earns, often in just one territory or country.

    The long answer is explained in-depth here, but basically amounts to the fact that your PRO is only responsible to collect performance royalties in your territory or country, meaning you’re leaving your international and mechanical royalties on the table. Suffice it to say it involves registering your song repeatedly in more 215 countries and territories, collecting an entirely different kind of royalty, and a whole lotta blood, sweat, and tears.  

    Make your life much, much easier — sign up with a publishing administrator like Songtrust (who’s network covers 98% of the global music market) today and head over here to learn more about where we collect.

  • Songtrust gives you the ability to collect mechanical royalties that are not collected by PROs:
    • Mechanical royalties from physical sales and interactive streams (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal).
    • All Songtrust clients collect from the Harry Fox Agency (HFA), The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), and international collection agencies directly.
    • We also collect from YouTube by claiming and monetizing user-generated content through its Content ID service.
    • Print Music royalties
    You can find this information here:
  • Yes, because we collect a different kind of royalty*. Labels and distributors deal with recordings; publishing administrators keep their eyes locked on compositions

    *If you are with CD Baby and use their publishing services (CD Baby Pro), then you cannot use also use Songtrust. This is also the case if you are already with another publishing administrator.

  • Most of the societies we collect from are able to forward royalties from the past couple of years (generally 1-2 years). While we are able to collect retroactive royalties sometimes, we can’t make any guarantees. It all depends on individual societies and may be affected by past publishing deals. The best way to increase your odds is to add as many titles as possible to your account with the correct co-writers, splits, and any related ISRC/recording information.

    If we successfully collect your retroactive royalties, the payment will probably arrive two or three quarters after your first royalty statement. Learn more about the journey your song takes with Songtrust, here.

  • When it comes to compositions, yes! Songtrust offers YouTube monetization as part of our worldwide publishing administration services.

    You’ll be opted into our YouTube Monitor once you register (don’t worry, you can opt out if you like). There, you can review and assert potential claims on videos using your music. Most importantly though, make sure to add your ISRCs when adding songs. Check out our Help Center to learn more.