Why Registering Your Song With a PRO Is Just the Beginning: What Musicians Must Know
f you're an independent artist, music producer, or songwriter, you've probably heard that registering your songs with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) like ASCAP or BMI is a crucial step in protecting your music and collecting royalties. And that’s true—but stopping there is like planting seeds and never watering them.
Here’s the truth: registering with a PRO is essential, but it's only part of the music rights and royalty picture. To ensure you’re collecting all the income your music is generating, you need to go further. Let’s break down why, and what additional steps you should take to truly protect and monetize your work.
What a PRO Actually Does
A PRO’s main job is to collect performance royalties—payments made when your music is played in public, like on radio, TV, live venues, or streaming platforms. Once you register your song with a PRO, they track its usage and send you royalties based on those performances.
✅ They cover:
Radio plays
TV broadcasts
Live performances
Streaming performances (partially)
But there are gaps.
What a PRO Doesn’t Cover
PROs only collect a specific type of royalty. To earn everything you’re entitled to, you need to make sure other royalty streams are being tracked and paid to you properly.
🛑 They don’t cover:
Mechanical royalties – earned when your song is reproduced (CDs, digital downloads, streams)
Sync licensing fees – paid when your music is used in film, TV, ads, or games
Digital performance royalties – collected from non-interactive streaming like Pandora or satellite radio
Other Organizations You Should Know
To collect the rest of your royalties, you’ll want to register with the following:
Global Royalty Collection Services
If your music is played globally, royalties may go unclaimed unless you use an admin publisher like Elizabeth Music Group, who can register your work globally and collect from multiple sources.
What Happens If You Don’t Go Beyond the PRO?
Simple: You leave money on the table.
Here’s what that could mean:
Uncollected income from international plays
Missed payments from digital streams
No licensing revenue from film or commercial uses
And that adds up over time. Think of your music as a small business—missing out on revenue streams means stalling your growth.
So, What Should You Do Next?
Here’s your indie artist royalty checklist:
✅ Register with a PRO (ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC in the U.S.)
🌐 Use an admin publishing service (like Elizabeth Music Group) for global collection
🎬 Look into music licensing platforms for sync opportunities
Final Thoughts
Registering your songs with a PRO is an important first step—but it’s just that: the first step. If you’re serious about your music career and want to be paid every penny you’ve earned, you need to understand and tap into all your rights as a songwriter and artist.
Being informed and proactive means turning your music into a sustainable source of income—not just a passion project.
