Creating music is only half the journey — making sure you get paid for it is just as important. Whether you’re an independent artist or part of a small team, registering your music properly ensures you receive royalties when your songs are streamed, played on the radio, or used in media. It might seem complicated at first, but with the right steps, you can protect your work and get the income you deserve.
1. Understand the different types of royalties
Before registering your music, it helps to know the main types of royalties you can earn:
- Performance royalties: Paid when your music is played on radio, TV, live venues, or streaming platforms.
- Mechanical royalties: Paid when your music is reproduced, for example on CDs, vinyl, downloads, or streams.
- Sync royalties: Paid when your music is used in films, adverts, or video games.
Each royalty type is collected by different organisations, so registering properly ensures you don’t miss out.
2. Join a performance rights organisation (PRO)
In the UK, the main PRO is PRS for Music. They collect performance royalties on your behalf when your songs are played publicly.
Steps to register with PRS for Music:
- Sign up as a member on their website.
- Provide your personal details and bank information.
- Register each song you’ve written, including co-writers and publishers if applicable.
Once registered, PRS tracks performances of your songs and pays you the royalties you’ve earned.
3. Register with a mechanical rights organisation
Mechanical royalties in the UK are collected by MCPS (Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society), which is often included when you join PRS. If you’re distributing your music digitally via services like RouteNote, DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby, these platforms often help collect mechanical royalties automatically.
Tip: Always check if your distributor covers mechanical royalties, and if not, register your songs with MCPS directly.
4. Register with a distributor
Digital distribution platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music require you to upload your music through a distributor. Many independent distributors also handle royalty collection on your behalf.
Popular distributors include:
- DistroKid
- TuneCore
- CD Baby
When you upload your music, make sure all metadata is correct: song title, writers, publishers, and ISRC codes. Accurate metadata ensures royalties are correctly tracked and paid.
5. Consider registering with a publishing company
If you write your own music, a publishing company can help manage royalties, licensing, and sync opportunities. You can do this independently (self-publishing) or sign with a small publisher.
Even if you self-publish, make sure your work is registered with PRS and your distributor. This way, you retain control while still getting paid.
6. Keep your records organised
Accurate records save you from missing out on money. Keep a spreadsheet or folder with:
- Song titles and versions
- ISRC codes
- Co-writer and publisher information
- Dates of registration with PROs and distributors
Good organisation ensures you can track earnings, manage co-writers, and resolve any disputes quickly.
Registering your music properly is one of the most important steps for independent artists. It may seem technical at first, but once you set up your PRO membership, distributor accounts, and song registrations, you can focus on creating music knowing you’ll get paid fairly.
