The Business of Music

Need To Know (NTK) Info!

What "Keep 100% of Your Royalties" Really Means!

This is one of the most creative selling points created to provide incentive to sign up to a distribution platform.

It does not mean you keep the entire selling price seen on the online stores.

For instance, if the single sells for .99 cents the first deduction that occurs is that online shop will be taking their percentage off the top (also known as their cut). In the case of just one shop they'll take thirty (30%) percent.

Now your selling price receivable has become .69 cents. and deductions from your selling / download price do not end there.

This has nothing to do with streaming! That's another conversation.

So, when you see "Keep 100% of your royalties" it's a good idea for you to understand what it means and how it affects your bottom line.

Protect Your Business In Music!

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF HOW TO PROTECT YOUR MUSIC - HOW TO BUSINESS INTRODUCTION

This series was by created by a Grammy Nominated Song Writer because he wanted to show you exactly what to do to protect your songs, lyrics, melodies, music or beats. These topics continue to be the part of this business of music everyone wants to learn more about. We have included this section to specifically help our clients who may be fellow independent song writers, artists, producers and publishers so they know how some fundamentals of how to protect their intellectual property and creativity.

This is vital information that you need to know in order to safeguard and shield your creative works. What you will find in our initial communication is what I term the 10 Commandments of Songwriting. This talent is a blessing and no one should take it from you so, it is right that we share the knowledge. This is valuable information many people really don't want you to know. So take a few minutes and investigate and research what you need to do in order to legally protect you and your music correctly!

(This is the Preface, please read all the articles in this section of the website because you don't want you to miss a thing!) We will post more from time to time.

STEP - 1

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SONGS, BEATS, LYRICS, AND MELODIES – YOURSELF!

PREFACE

As a songwriter, artist, musician or producer you have an obligation to yourself to protect your creativity (also referred to as intellectual property). I’d like to address my fellow artists and musicians especially those of us who play live instruments as well as those of us who work with sequencers like the MPC X. MPC 2000, 2000XL, MPC Live or Logic, Harrison Mixbus, PreSonus, Pro-Tools or any other type of sequencer. This also includes; physical keyboard workstations from Korg,Yamaha Roland, etc. There are many other excellent keyboards but these happen to be my personal tools choice.

What’s really important to me that you understand is when you make a “beat” your actually writing a song! Your writing music, not just a “beat”! This automatically entitles you to writer’s royalties, publishing royalties, mechanical royalties, and administration!

First of all YOU own one-hundred percent of that song or beat until you have another writer add lyrics & melody. The two of you now share equally fifty-fifty in all copyright ownership rights for the rest of your lives plus seventy-five years. The mathematics here works vice-a-versa if you begin your song with words and a melody. So when someone needs a beat from you lease it! Don’t sell it! Then you will have something to leave your kids when you pass on. Keep watching for future posts for more knowledge. In the meantime, be smart, don’t be foolish and you’ll thank yourself down the line!

Protecting Your Songs, Wriing, Publishing, Administration

STEP - 2

PROTECT YOUR SONGS, BEATS, MUSIC, PUBLISHING, WRITING, ADMINISTRATION & MECHANICALS

FIRST, YOU MUST FILE THE PA (Performing Arts) form when you’re the songwriter and SECOND, YOU MUST FILE YOUR SR (Sound Recording) form when you finish your production on your song before you give it out or put it online and /or release it commercially!

It’s imperative to copyright your music, beat, lyrics and melody immediately! Before you put it on the Internet we cannot emphasize this enough!

Here’s how; type in or click the following URL – Understanding Copyright Forms THIS IS WHERE YOU BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO PROTECT WHAT YOU HAVE CREATED MUSICALLY!

Look for the following file titles or simply click on the following the hyperlinks here (tutorial, FAQ, or the actual Form: eCO Copyright Tutorial, eCO Copyright Registration FAQs , eCO Acceptable File Types, eCO Tips this will not only help you understand what you need to know but more importantly how to get it done the right way to protect you and your music, lyrics, melody, writing, publishing, mechanicals and administration. You will need Adobe Reader or Power Point to view it. If you don’t have Adobe Reader you can download from this link: Get Adobe Reader Here! And Adobe Reader is free!

Create your account at the Copyright Office through ECO (Electronic Copyright Office) United States Copyright Office - eCO Registration and begin to file your work electronically online at the Copyright Office located in Washington DC. Now you have officially initiated the first step to protect your songs.

What Is A Performance Rights Organization (PRO'S) ??

STEP - 3

Question? WHY DO I NEED A PERFORMANCE RIGHTS ORGANIZATION?

ASCAP - BMI - SESAC - GEMA - SOCAN - JASRAC - SACEM - Etc......

* As a writer you can only be a member of one performance rights organization.

You "MUST" Become a member of a performing rights organization (ASCAP, SESAC, BMI) or the PRO specific to your territory. You will need to do this in order to receive your writer and publisher royalties. Once you are a member (writer and publisher) you will index your songs on line with the performance rights organization. I happen to be a member at ASCAP. Below you will find information for all three "PRO'S" and you should review all three to see which one suits you the best.

ASCAP - You can sign up online (Writer and Publisher) at ASCAP once you have done this “index” all your songs! If you need help with getting started you can call them up or send an email and ask your questions! Remember be professional, courteous and respectful. ASCAP is owned by its members and there are some extra benefits available at nominal fees like equipment insurance, health insurance etc.

Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) - You can sign up online (Writer and Publisher) at BMI once you have done this “index” all your songs If you need help with getting started call them up or send an email and ask your questions! Remember be professional, courteous and respectful.

SESAC – Is the only "PRO" that is now by invitation only. If you do get an invite, remember to ask questions and always be professional, courteous and respectful.

SESAC

*PLEASE NOTE - Registering songs with a Performance Rights Organization DOES NOT COPYRIGHT your work or protect your intellectual property and/or Sound Recordings! Copyright is entirely separate from performing rights societies.

After you copyright your music PA (if you are the songwriter(s) and SR forms (SR if you plan to release it on your label) then be sure to index your songs with your performance rights society or they cannot collect your writing and publishing royalties - You must INDEX your work under your writer and publishing company affiliate numbers (given to you after you joined as a member(s).

PA Form = Performing Arts / protects your intellectual property as the creator of the work.

SR Form = Sound Recording / protects that specific recorded version you are submitting for copyright. This is usually done by the record label releasing the single or album.

Keeping Track of Your Music

STEP - 4

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR MUSIC!

*Keep records of where you put your music out and who you give it to. Weather you are giving it to a friend, a DJ, company, or a stranger on the street be up front and politely ask what they plan on doing with your music if they like it! And remember to get a business card or their direct contact info.

Hire an Entertainment Lawyer!

HIRE AN ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY!

If you are doing music and entertainment, you need an entertainment attorney!

We have provided an open database that's available to everyone online. This may help locating a music attorney easier at least a place to start your search if you have no clues on where to begin or where to look.

Not making any specific recommendations! You can get an idea of where to begin by clicking below:

Martindale Entertainment Lawyer Directory

This way, when any kind of deal comes your way you can handle your business correctly! But make sure you hire an entertainment attorney not a real estate attorney or criminal attorney!

We accept no responsibilities to the results achieved from any attorney you decide to hire. This is just to provide you with a place to start looking. The database is searchable by state.

Going To The Studio To Record?

STEP - 6

RECORDING IN AN OUTSIDE STUDIO

When you record your music in someone’s recording studio other than your own, leave with all your data! And pay the studio bill so you have the right to leave with all your files and backups – this is the “intellectual property” you’re going to own the rights to IF YOU FILE YOUR COPYRIGHTS.

Entrepreneurism 101

STEP - 7

RECORD OF YOUR EXPENSES

Somehow, make your business to keep records of all your expenses! Things that will play a significant part in your life as an executive (or boss) when embarking on the journey of entertainment entrepreneurism like equipment, studio time, people you hire to make the recording, transportation, food, equipment purchases and rentals, office and administration supplies and expenses including software and website services. In the long run, this will help you in various areas of your business. It’s simply good common practice to establish from the start!

Business 101 - DBA, Corporation, or LLC

STEP - 8

STARTING A CORPORATION, LLC OR OBTAINING A DBA CERTIFICATE?

If you’re serious about your music business get yourself a “DBA” certificate. DBA stands for “doing business as”. Get it under your name or you and your partner’s name. The “DBA” is available at your local county clerk’s office.

Have several names ready to see what’s available when you get to the county clerk’s office. This will cost you between thirty-five dollars and one-hundred dollars depending on where you live in the United States.

The “DBA” will allow you to open a bank account in your company name. Later on when you are generating money you can speak to an attorney and obtain their legal advice on what fits your business best an LLC or Corporation.

Strangers In The Studio - Closed Sessions!

STEP - 9

STRANGERS IN THE STUDIO

(a) When recording have closed sessions if possible.

(b) Beware of strangers with cell phones or mobile devices that want to sit in your session!

(c) Check for mobile devices and make sure guests shut them off or leave them at the front desk.

(d) They are sitting in your session to listen not to get phone calls, they can do that when they leave!

(e) Otherwise someone records something and runs with your idea before you do - oh well, nothing you can do!

Sending Out Your Music / Letting Folks Hear What You Have?

STEP - 10

SNIPPETS - COPIES OF YOUR MUSIC - FREE MUSIC GIVEAWAYS

FIRST - MAKE SURE YOU COPYRIGHT YOUR SONGS, BEATS, LYRICS & MELODIES!!!!

When promoting your music on the Internet or submitting your music to anyone make sure you file the copyright then try your best to give out only snippets of your songs less than one minute and thirty seconds. If someone is really interested they will let you know and make a business proposal or offer to license it from you for a licensing fee. These fees range between $500.00 and $50,000.00 depending on the type of usage and whether it is featured as a title of song of a motion picture (movie), incidental music in a movie or television, or even a game in an app or game console!

Progress Without Motion Is Useless!

LITTLE TID-BIT FOR YOUR NOTEBOOKS

Remember, Always back up your files! Save as you go when working with computers, sequencers and drum machines. Purchase an external hard drive to have safety copies of your songs and productions.

From time to time we will post more vital information for you to better understand "The Business of Music" so check back soon - Remember these three things:

1. It's called the music business to confuse you! REMEMBER its actually The BUSINESS first, then the MUSIC! "The Business of Music"

2. Its not about who you know, its about who knows you!

3. Progress without Motion is Useless!!!!

*Consultation services available upon request - Use Contact Form On This Website - Click here for: Business Consulting and Development