THERE'S MONEY IN YOUR MUSIC
Music is one of the few production elements that has an income producing life of its own. Music composed specifically for a commercial (background/underscore or jingles) or for a production can earn royalties for the publisher and the composer when broadcast on television, radio or the Internet. This can add money to your bottom line, money that was previously being thrown away. Music can continue to earn money for a publisher and composer long after the music is first performed. Compositions remain assets for their owners for the life of copyright.
- HOW DO I EARN MONEY AS A MUSIC PUBLISHER?
By the collection of royalties that accrue from music broadcast on television, radio and the Internet. Additional royalties can also be earned through secondary uses on other television shows, in theatrical films or as record releases, as well as by licensing the music to other sources.
- HOW DO I BECOME A MUSIC PUBLISHER?
The first step in becoming a music publisher is making certain that your contracts with music suppliers grant you all necessary rights for control of your music. The next step necessary to begin collecting royalties is the formation of music publishing companies with the performing rights societies (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC). Signature Sound, Inc. will guide you in choosing the best way to affiliate and help you set up your company.
- WILL IT COST ME ANYTHING?
No. This is a found money situation. There are no hidden costs. The monies are paid by the music users as license fees to the performing right societies, which then pay royalties directly to their members. The monies are divided among each society's members based upon a complex set of factors.
- HOW DO I COLLECT MY PERFORMANCE ROYALTIES?
In order to collect royalties, music must be registered with the performing rights societies. Documentation meeting specific requirements must also be reviewed and submitted to the performing rights societies for proper crediting. This requires the detailed attention and follow through of a full service music administrator.
- WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM TO PAY THE PUBLISHER?
Monies come from a variety of licensed sources who use music, including:
Television networks
Local TV stations
Cable TV stations
Radio stations
Internet
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Restaurants
Airlines
Concert Halls
Muzak
Jukeboxes |
Universities
Retail Stores
Cabarets
Bars |
These users of music pay licensing fees directly to ASCAP, BMI and SESAC for the right to publicly perform the works of each organization's members.
Once licensing fees are collected from these sources, the performing rights societies then distribute monies (minus operating expenses) as royalty payments directly to their publisher and composer members based on complicated distribution formulae.
- WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?
Music airing on network television has the greatest earning capacity. Music airing on cable, syndicated and local television and on radio earn income as well. The Internet is a growing source of revenue.
The performing rights societies pay royalties to their members depending upon several variables, such as:
- The amount of music used
The medium on which it is broadcast
How frequently the music airs
The type of performance
The time of day the music airs
The amount of money available for distribution
Sample and census surveys
*All of these factors are considered to determine the dollar value of a broadcast performance.
- HOW OFTEN WILL I GET PAID?
Royalty distributions are paid quarterly to publishers and composers. Domestic revenues are not paid out until at least the second or third quarter following the first air play.
- HOW DO I EARN ROYALTIES FROM MUSIC IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES?
Performance royalties earned in foreign markets can take up to two years to reach publishers in the United States, often without full accountability. Signature Sound, Inc. has foreign sub-publishing relationships in place to simplify and expedite the collection of performance royalties from foreign countries.
- WHAT CAN SIGNATURE SOUND, INC. DO FOR YOU?
Signature Sound, Inc., can help put you in the music publishing business. We will maximize your royalty income through the expert, attentive management of your music publishing companies. Ours is an aggressive, hands-on administrative service that can turn your music into money.
MUSIC = MONEY
Signature Sound, Inc. can put you in the music publishing business and help you collect the maximum royalties available to you. We can provide you with the following management and administrative services:
- Establish music publishing companies in your name assuring you all rights and income.
- Administer the music business affairs of these publishing companies and maintain, analyze and oversee all records reflecting income and expenses.
- Register music with the U.S. Copyright Office and performing rights societies.
- Review and prepare all necessary documentation for submission to the performing rights societies.
- Verify actual airplays before submission to the performing rights societies.
- Forecast music income from broadcast activity.
- Audit distribution statements from the performing rights societies to determine accuracy of royalty distributions.
- Secure credit adjustments in instances where inaccuracies occur.
- Issue quarterly accountings and an annual summary reflecting income earned through music publishing activities.
- Serve in an advisory capacity in all matters concerning music business affairs.
- Signature Sound, Inc. is a full service music administration company with the capacity to change music costs into music income.
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