Why Music Publishing Matters (Explained Simply)
Music publishing is one of the most important parts of the music business but many people don’t understand it.
If you are a songwriter, producer, or artist, music publishing is how you get paid when your songs are used or listened to.
Let’s break it down in a simple way.
What is Music Publishing?
Music publishing is the business of collecting money for songs when they are used.
A song can make money in many ways, like when it is:
Played on streaming apps
Used in TV shows or movies
Played on the radio
Performed live
Used in commercials or video games
Every time a song is used, money is supposed to go to the people who created it. Music publishing helps make sure that money gets collected and paid out correctly.
What is a Songwriter?
A songwriter is the person who writes the music, lyrics, or both.
Even if an artist performs the song, they may not be the one who wrote it.
Example:
One person writes the song
Another person sings it
Both may get paid differently.
What Are Royalties?
A publishing royalty is money paid to you when your song is used.
Think of it like this:
If your song is a product, royalties are your paycheck every time someone “uses” that product.
There are different types of royalties:
Performance royalties – when your song plays in public (radio, TV, live venues)
Mechanical royalties – when your song is streamed or downloaded
Sync royalties – when your song is used in movies, ads, or games
These royalty types are unique to each country/region and can have varying rates and collection processes.
What is a PRO?
A PRO (Performing Rights Organization) is a company that helps collect performance royalties.
Some examples include ASCAP or BMI.
A PRO makes sure you get paid when your music is played in public.
But here’s something important:
A PRO does NOT collect all types of publishing money. That’s where music publishing companies come in.
What Does a Music Publisher Do?
A music publisher helps:
Register your songs correctly
Track where your music is being used globally
Collect royalties from many countries and platforms
Make sure song splits (who owns what %) are correct
Pitch songs for opportunities like TV, film, and ads
Without a publisher, a lot of money can go uncollected or lost.
Why Music Publishing is Confusing
Music publishing can be confusing because:
Money comes from many countries and each country has their own rules, regulations, and processes to collect royalties
Different companies collect different royalties
Songs must be registered correctly everywhere
Mistakes can cause lost income
This is why many artists never receive all the money they earned from their music.
What is Global Royalty Collection?
Global royalty collection means collecting money from all over the world, not just one country.
For example:
A song played in the U.S.
A song streamed in Europe
A song used in a commercial in Asia
All of these can generate money.
A good publishing company makes sure none of it is missed.
Why Education Matters
Many musicians are never taught how music publishing works.
That leads to problems like:
Not registering songs properly
Missing royalty payments
Not understanding ownership splits
Education helps artists protect their work and earn what they deserve.
How Elizabeth Music Group is Different
Elizabeth Music Group is a music publishing company focused on both collecting royalties and leading with transparency and education.
Here’s what makes them different:
1. They Focus on Education First
Instead of only handling business behind the scenes, they help musicians understand:
How publishing works
Where money comes from
How to protect their songs
2. They Are Transparent
Many musicians don’t know where their money is coming from.
Elizabeth Music Group focuses on:
Clear reporting (every musician signed gets their own dedicated royalty portal that includes easy to understand data and analytics)
Honest communication (you can speak directly to the CEO TheZachMichael and staff at Elizabeth Music Group)
Making publishing easier to understand
3. They Help Musicians Get Opportunities
Beyond collecting royalties, they also help connect music to high value opportunities like:
Sync briefs (TV, film, ads)
Songwriting requests
Industry pitching opportunities (sending out demos, beat packs, and melody loop kits to major labels and established artists)
4. They Support Global Collection
They work to make sure songs are properly tracked and registered so musicians can collect money worldwide.
Final Thoughts
Music publishing might seem complicated, but at its core it is simple:
If you create music, you deserve to get paid when it is used.
Understanding terms like royalties, PROs, and publishing companies helps protect your work and income.
And with the right support system, musicians don’t just make music - they build real careers from it.
