Hey there, fellow music creators! Let’s talk about something super important that often flies under the radar but plays a crucial role in every musician's life: Performing Rights Organizations, or PROs. If you’re writing songs, composing, or just curious about the music industry, understanding PROs can be a game-changer. Let’s dive in and break it down in a detailed yet easy-to-read way.
What Exactly Are Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)?
Imagine you’ve just written a dope song. You’ve put everything that you got into it, and now you’ve released it to the world. It’s playing on the local radio, streaming online, and even getting some airtime in the popular clubs. But how do you ensure you are getting paid every time someone plays your music? Enter PROs (Admin Publishers also if you aren't working with a publishing company, but that will be covered in another article).
Performing Rights Organizations are like your music’s watchdogs. They ensure you get paid for the public performance of your music. This includes plays on radio, TV, streaming platforms, live venues, and even in businesses like restaurants and stores. Some of the big names you might know are:
• ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
• BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)
• SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors and Composers)
How Do PROs Work?
The process is pretty straightforward but incredibly effective. Here’s a step-by-step look at how PROs operate:
1. Join and Register:
First, you become a member of a PRO and register your songs with them. This is where you lay the groundwork for getting paid.
At the time of this writing, SESAC is invite-only. That means you will need to have someone on your team reach out to them for you (this could be a music lawyer, record label, manager, etc).
However, it is free to open a publisher account if you are working with a SESAC composer, collecting the publisher’s share. You can find that information here.
As for ASCAP, it is currently free to sign yourself up as the Writer & Publisher. To register as a Publishing Company (Publisher), there is a one-time fee of $50.
You can find that information here.
BMI comes in as the most expensive, with a fee of $75 to join as a songwriter or composer. To affiliate an individual publisher it is $175, but it jumps to $250 to register as a publishing company that is registered as a corporation (LLCs included). Would you believe they are charging $500 to join as a partnership? Keep in mind these are one-time fees as well.
BMI's creator portal can be found here.
There is also AMRA (owned by Kobalt), which claims to be the only platform built for global, direct music licensing and administration. I have reached out to them to find out how to join as a writer and publisher.
I am a member of BMI personally.
2. Track Your Music:
PROs use sophisticated technology to track where and when your music is played. This includes everything from live performances to digital streams.
3. Licensing:
They issue licenses to businesses and broadcasters, granting them the right to play your music. In return, these entities pay fees to the PROs.
4. Collect and Distribute:
The PROs collect these fees and distribute the money as royalties to you and other registered music creators based on the performance data they’ve gathered.
Why Are PROs So Important?
1. Ensuring Fair Compensation:
Writing music is a labor of love, but it’s also work that deserves fair pay. Without PROs, tracking every time your song is played and collecting payment would be nearly impossible. PROs make sure you get paid, so you can focus on what you do best—creating music.
2. Supporting Your Career:
The royalties collected and distributed by PROs can be a significant source of income, especially for emerging artists. This steady income stream allows you to invest more time and resources into your music career.
3. Encouraging Artistic Freedom:
Knowing that you’ll be fairly compensated allows you to take creative risks and explore new musical directions. You can experiment with new sounds and ideas without the constant worry of financial instability.
4. Legal Protection:
PROs protect your rights as a music creator. They ensure that your music isn’t used without permission and that you’re paid for every public performance. For instance, if a popular coffee shop used an independent artist’s song without permission, the PRO would intervene and secure rightful compensation for the artist.
5. Simplifying Licensing:
For businesses and broadcasters, PROs make the licensing process simple and straightforward. This ease of use encourages more places to play your music, which means more royalties for you.
The Future of PROs
As the music industry evolves, so do PROs. They’re continually updating their methods to keep up with new technologies and platforms. From tracking digital streams to ensuring fair payouts from streaming services, PROs are adapting to make sure you get what you deserve in this ever-changing landscape.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! PROs might work behind the scenes, but they are essential for anyone serious about their music career. They ensure you get paid, provide legal protection, and support your creative journey. The next time your song plays on the radio or streams online, remember that there’s a whole team making sure you’re getting your fair share.
What steps will you take today to ensure your music gets the recognition and compensation it deserves? Keep writing, keep performing, and let the PROs handle the rest. Here’s to making great music and getting paid for it!
Written by: earth2kwasi
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