The 5 Biggest Mistakes Independent Artists Make with Their Music Royalties

Are You Missing Out on Money?

Many independent artists work hard to release music but fail to properly collect the money they earn. Here are the top 5 mistakes that could be costing you royalties every month:

1. Not Registering with a PRO (ASCAP/BMI)

Your songs must be registered with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) to receive performance royalties from streaming, radio, and live performances.

2. Ignoring The MLC & SoundExchange

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) collects digital mechanical royalties, while SoundExchange collects digital performance royalties. If you’re not signed up, you’re not getting paid.

3. Failing to Use Split Sheets

If you collaborate with other songwriters or producers, you need a split sheet to define who owns what percentage of the song.

4. Having Incomplete Metadata

Your song information (writer credits, ISRC codes, and publishing details) must be consistent across all platforms to ensure payments aren’t lost.

5. Relying Only on Streaming Income

Streaming royalties alone won’t pay the bills. Consider sync licensing, live performance royalties, and merchandise sales to diversify your income.

🔹 Want to make sure you’re set up properly? Book a free consultation with Love Lee Media!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *