How To Register Songs with BMI and Get Your Royalties! PRO Walkthrough

[@tyniacoats]

Wow I used to work for BMI & I must say that you are pretty impressive at explaining this process just being an affiliate! I always tried my best to educate musicians about the business because I believe a musician should be educated not just in music, but also in their music business. There were so many musicians who I'd see missing out on so much $$ due to them not knowing the business, glad there are people other than me trying to educate them & give you guys your power back!

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Thanks so much, I like your channel too! It seems like we are trying to do the same thing. Let me know when you're ready and we should connect and create some content together.

[@tyniacoats]

@@IndieMusicAcademy Yeah I'm just starting out, but I'd definitely love to collab in the future! Still getting use to this KZbin thing lol. I think we can create something extremely useful for musicians with your knowledge/perspective as an artist (& label/publisher??) & mine from working in the industry!

[@sharmainemorris-vsblogs6371]

Am really new at this, i need a publisher and need to register my songs. Can you provide me some info?

[@writtenbyrharrison]

Hey Tynia my name is Raymond Harrison. I write/compose my own Gospel songs. Would you mind when I've got questions about the business side of music in relation to BMI could I learn from you? For example when I upload my work do I upload the sheet music chart or the video version or the audio version of my work? I am now registered as the Composer/Songwriter with BMI and I have my registration number as the Artist. But now I wish to learn how to register as the Publisher, cause I choose to self publish my songs.

[@tyniacoats]

@@sharmainemorris-vsblogs6371 To register your songs, you are definitely on the right video! He really did an amazing job walking you through the registration process. I have some other tips related to registering on my channel, but he truly covered all the basics here! You do not need a publisher though; you can be self-published or create your own publishing company & create a publisher account with BMI.

[@StassiPryce]

These are very valid questions in the comment section, whoever is running this page should take the time to answer them.

[@BenHarrismusic]

Thanks!! I'm actually a writer with ascap but I just realized you can be a publisher with all PROs, this was very helpful!!

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Send this video to someone who needs to get their act together and register their music!!!

[@A3CoTownSmoke]

I may need your help

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

@@A3CoTownSmoke How can I help?

[@btw2217]

@@IndieMusicAcademy so if i my music is distributed through distrokid and they collect my money through streaming sites specifically would I still need to register?

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

@@btw2217 Yes, yes, yes, and YES!!!!! Distrokid does not pay you all your royalties. To get a better grasp of how the money flows, check out our guide called Music Royalties Explained: www.lionbold.com/blog/music-royalties-explained

[@MrBuckshot18]

Are you Defensive because I sent the link? I'm just trying to understand it all myself. I sent that because what you said and what he said are not the same. I'm not looking to start anything just trying to understand. If you did happen to take a look at it I'm sure you noticed it was different from what you said. I know 88 beats has more followers and many more views and all thumbs up so it cant all be not true.

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Here is an extra bonus I want to give to you since I've been getting a lot of requests to comment on how to get royalties for beats. (I might turn this into a video, comment if you want me to go more in depth in a future video.) If you are a producer, you usually don't need to register your beats with ASCAP or BMI. There is one exception: If the beat, as-is, without any alterations or vocals, is going to be played on the radio, streamed on Spotify, or synced to television, etc. In that case, you should register your beat. Otherwise, you don't need to register the beat because the beat without becoming a song won't generate any royalties. ASCAP or BMI doesn't protect or copyright your beats in any way, and since they are not a publisher, they can't detect when your beats are used by artists in a mixtape or on an album. Instead, sell your beats and services directly to artists via a work for hire agreement which you can download and use here: bit.ly/free-contracts If you produce a beat that eventually turns into a song that is publicly released and distributed on Spotify, iTunes, Radio, etc, AND you have previously agreed to split the writing credit INSTEAD of conducting a work for hire, then you should register on ASCAP or BMI. When registering, it is very important that you register using the new song title and the performer information on the new work (not the original beat) to collect on your portion of the writers share of the newly created song using your beat. Keep a record of the splits you agree upon using this document here: bit.ly/free-contracts If your beats are being licensed as-is to TV and Film as instrumentals, there is a completely different process. Usually, you will be asked to fill out a cue sheet by a music supervisor. The cue sheet documents how what tracks are used in the film and how many times. If the film is lower budget and doesn't have a music supervisor, you can download this cue sheet and give it to the director: bit.ly/free-contracts Hope this helps!

[@Therealsamso]

Lion Bold when signing up for BMI . Com as a D A W beatmaker do i register as a song writer or a publisher the goal is to gmail beats to artist who post music on Spotify and Apple Music and hope they record a song to my beat and post it a fellow producer told me he did a session with a rapper he said all he needed was his BMI so for me getting my BMI which u can’t change for two years and technically I’m not writing anything I’m creating beats am i a songwriter or publisher when the goal is placements

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You register as a songwriter only AFTER the beat has become a song.

[@Therealsamso]

Lion Bold confusing please make a video so do i still sign up as a song writer then i wait to register till an artist actually record to my track and puts it out on Apple Music ?

[@Therealsamso]

Lion Bold are you sure it’s after ?

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You can create your account with BMI any time, even if you don't have any songs to register yet. Yes, only register a song when it's in its final form. A beat by itself is not a song in it's final form.

[@g-fanum9811]

This was extremely helpful thank you

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You're very welcome thank you!

[@RyottMuzic]

@@IndieMusicAcademy what should i do when it says no application available ????

[@yaowism8450]

Ok you typed words into a box, how does BMI associate the words with your actual recording? Do you upload the song???

[@liamkingrecords]

Same question

[@LaKimLaJefa]

How do I register a song with a featured artist?

[@nellytgm]

I guess the featuring asrtis would be registered as one of the artists in the song just like the main artist.

[@israelcole7747]

Thanks my man, that was simple but well explained; now we can move forward with the dream !!!

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

That's what I like to hear!

[@DocCU890]

Thanks Ryan! :) Definitely helpful as I begin putting my music on BMI. The Publishing vs Writing thing is definitely confusing for newbies (me) haha

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

My pleasure!

[@DynastyVisualsTV]

My man is dropping gems 💎 I love it! Just set mine up. This is awesome stuff. Respect ✊🏽

[@IMHIMZEL]

THIS WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL! Really Appreciate The Vid Broski! (KEEP GRINDIN')

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

J.P. Taylor you’re welcome! Thanks a ton!

[@TMFRD]

My question is, how can a song be completely registered without attaching the mp3 or lyrics of it ? How can BMI collect the royalties of a song they only know the name ?

[@AwallArtist]

this is a great question, please answer this INDIE MUSIC ACADEMY!

[@Metalpazallteway]

It can't you have to register it online first. Best bet, copyright it first then hand it over to BMI or whomever is in distribution of it

[@ytnelson]

Its simple. That's the reason why they ask you for your publisher's details. It's all connected.

[@T.Rose_official]

This is why I going to ascap

[@TheOriginalCasualT]

THANKS FOR THIS IMFORMATION THIS WAS VERY HELPFUL, AS A SONGWRITER WITH BMI AS MY P.R.O.

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Thanks Troy! So glad you are getting your original music registered. Well done!

[@thesamuels6650]

Very informative don't know if you did already but I Would love to know more about publishing rights and the roll of a publisher and the process to register one. Thank you

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Hi Yes! I made this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGqciWN9ba6bapo Hopefully that helps!

[@UB.S]

Amazingly explained! Do you have to put your legal name when as a writer or the artist name works?

[@Kreace0net]

Do I register each song individually or the album. How do they know the song names of the album? So confusing.

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

Great info and walk-through, thanks. I may never release anything that I’ve created, but this still seems like insurance to me(in a good way)🙂

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You never know what the future holds! Thank you so much for the comment!

[@jeff-mq5sk]

Are you supposed to register your song after you publicly release it on streaming platforms or are you supposed to do it before the release?

[@JesusGutierrez-vf1gp]

before

[@hkkendall7150]

BEST Tutorial I’ve found so far explaining Song Registration with BMI...THANKS!

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

It's an honor, thank you. New content coming soon!

[@hkkendall7150]

Yeah...so, after viewing your tutorial, I went to my BMI account (created over 3 years ago) & filled out my very 1ST Song Registration form. 1 DOWN...137 to GO! :) If you happen to revisit this same tutorial topic...I’d be interested in having you explain a little more in detail the section in the registration where it asks...”Was this work created for Film, TV, Theater or Music Library?” In particular, I’m interested in what’s meant by “Music Library.” Are they refering to commercial Song Listing Services? Or perhaps having a Song Catalog with a service? Just wondering...Thanks again for a GREAT tutorial! I’ve SUBSCRIBED to your channel.

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

@@hkkendall7150 Thanks for the kind words. Yeah, a lot of people get confused by the music library part because they don't use music libraries on a day-to-day basis. Basically, if you have signed a contract with a music library company and you are registering a song that is going to be used by that library under that contract, then you would check this box. Otherwise, any other song that is commercially released on iTunes and Spotify would leave that box unchecked (even if it finds its way into a library eventually). Weird question I know, basically they are just wondering the intended purpose of the music.

[@jowyjozef]

How long does it take for your song to be accepted once submitted? And what happens next after you submit it?

[@Czon]

Where’s the answer to this question at b!?!

[@johnsilvers622]

This was absolutely excellent. Thank you so much for this.

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Thanks John! I'm so glad it helped you in the process of registration!

[@ronicsonicx8168]

Question: Would a beat maker/composer or producer who sells an instrumental to an artist with royalties in the agreement need to do the “works registration” as well? Or does the artist who purchased the track do the works registration and simply adds the composer/producers BMI info and the producer gets paid once the artists puts their music out there? Thank you for your time and the awesome vid!

[@oliverislost]

I need this answered!

[@Fr3EzE]

I need this answer too ngl

[@rosebeats09]

x

[@oompaloompa3188]

3yrs and surprisingly, noone ever answered this. Incredible!

[@HARRYCARTERMUSIC]

Yes you do

[@K-PopHarmonyHub]

Was this song created for Film, Tv, Theater and Music Library. What this really means. If I want my song to film tv should I choose yes. How this affects to anything further?

[@nellytgm]

There are platfoms and corporations which have producers compose tracks dedicated and specifically made for TV and sync libraries. If you work with none, then click NO. It has nothing to do with pitching your work to TV and stuff. :)

[@lukescapee1234]

How would you add a producer or any other position to the credits so they can get a %? Do only writers get credit? Or would you just consider them a composer/author?

[@K8swayo]

Same question i got

[@YvngTrillOfficial]

Same here bro I'm confused because the exclusive license to the beat I got says I get 50% & the other 2 get 25% each but I dont know whether to fill them in as composer or author because I wrote the entire song myself

[@riannasamone894]

the producer is considered the writer when registering with BMI. They look at it as if the producer wrote the notes for the beat.

[@masstv9052]

@@YvngTrillOfficial have you tried googling or going to their official website? just curious I had the same question and figured I'd ask before I go searching

[@onajeofficialmusic]

Thanks, I was unsure about who my Publisher was but you cleared that up. Thanks!👏

[@guitaro5000]

IMA: Do NOT use samples! Every 80s rapper who made it big: Are we a joke to you?

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Lol 😂

[@DavidMichaelRobinson]

Super helpful Ryan! Thanks for the great content!

[@SF-ve3rc]

Thanks, this was really informative

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Thank you!

[@jamminjay317]

Great Information. Easy to follow. Thanks!

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Thanks for watching!

[@mr.getthepartylive4731]

Thank you man I needed this

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You got it bro.

[@Ronin-gx5sy]

Bro u so good at explaining. Thanx alot for this video u helped alot

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Thanks for the kind words. So glad!

[@mattgoff2722]

what if you're a co-writer on a work that was already registered by the other writer via ASCAP? Do I still have to register the work to BMI, with my info matching the info in the submission to ASCAP by the other writer?

[@allymacky4039]

Did you find out?

[@dancrosby6091]

I appreciate the content in this video. This information is priceless. You just gained another subscriber👍

[@apriljenkins5673]

Hey Ryan! Your video and answers to people's questions are extremely helpful. Thank you very much!!! However, there is still a couple of things that isn't completely clear to me. 1) I wrote and composed the lyrics to the song. But where do I list the producer of the music? Is it under Composer/Author too? --- 2) Until now, I've been an independent artist. I recently accepted an offer to come under a record label. Does that mean that I list them as the publisher? At 100%? Or 50%? And where does that come in with the first question??? Do I list the label at 50% the producer at 50% and myself at 100% to equal the 200%? --- I wrote the lyrics and I am the artist performing it, except for the actual music part... Your answer will be soooooo helpful, because this is kinda holding me back on some levels. Thank you, in advance!!!!

[@Nottz4Lyf18]

Did you ever get an answer to this i have a smiliar dilemma

[@apriljenkins5673]

@@Nottz4Lyf18 Hi. No I didn't get a response to my question. However, Tony (from Disc Makers) was good about replying directly to a question that I asked him, and I'm moving forward. So, try reaching out to him. His info is usually posted with all of his videos on KZbin.

[@Nottz4Lyf18]

@@apriljenkins5673 thanking you i’ll go hunting for thag

[@ifalicity829]

Loved the video you walked me right through the process I really appreciate it

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

I'm so glad it made the process easier!

[@mc2musiic]

Appreciate the informative video man. How would you go about registering an entire album? would you register the songs individually or register the album as a one body of work?

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You technically do each song one at a time, but if you are registering an album, the very last step of song registration asks if you want to copy the data you just inputted for the next song submission. So in essence, all you would have to do is change the track title and then resubmit when doing an album.

[@mc2musiic]

@@IndieMusicAcademy thanks a lot 🙏🏾

[@Soundaze]

@@IndieMusicAcademy I'd like to jump in here and piggyback on this guy's question too please- so I understand that we have to register each song one at a time, but there's a section that asks you if the work is either an album, ep, or single -so my question is: if the song is from an ep or album, do you just put ep or album, or would you list it as a single (even though it was released as a track on an album or ep) ?

[@the1jalenlane52]

Thanks!! Great information you made very simple. I appreciate it.

[@akramviirgo]

helped us alot! thank youuuu!

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You are very welcome!

[@vickeys3npolos]

Perfect Video for Beginners! Definitely helped me.

[@CarlyMcClain]

Hi Ryan! Love all your tips. I recently posted a live performance of an original song to KZbin, but I do not have an actual recording officially released to streaming platforms. Should I still register my song with BMI or wait until there is a recording? Also for the step that asks "Is there a recording" do they mean a studio version or any version, like my KZbin video?

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Hey Carly McClain! Yes I would register every song you intend to show publicly. And no it doesn’t have to be a studio recording. It can be any recording even a home recording. Hope that helps!

[@craigwashington5723]

Love it,man! What you do,so helpful.Thank you👍🏽💯

[@Swprice93]

When submitting a song on BMI should I use my actual name or artist pseudonym under writer name?

[@apriljenkins5673]

It's my understanding that you should use your real name, then select add another artist and use that to input your stage name

[@wodenoftheangles3339]

@@apriljenkins5673 I believe this is incorrect. Your real name is already aligned to your BMI log-in profile account. Your artist name should accompany the song entry.

[@erasolaris]

it will ask for your AKA

[@soamsosah]

@2:26 what if you only composed the lyrics but someone else has made the instrumental. But still have a license to the Instrumental

[@nellytgm]

Depending on your contract and negotioations with the music producers, you may give them some share of the Performance rights. If you've paid them to give the full license to you, and you have the rights to use the instrumental in commercial use, you can register their name and give them %0. Or if you wish to contribute some share to them, you can give them some percentages of that %200. :)

[@skydog4393]

Great information, Ryan. Helps out a lot, but do you have any videos on how to be able to publish your own material ? I am looking into creating my own label to release original material and any information from you would be a big help to me. I'm a songwriter, but have never ventured into this area. Thanks and keep the great videos coming. I've subscribed.

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Hey Mantunes, I don't have any videos like that yet but I'll work on some! Thanks for putting that request out there!

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Hey, I am not sure if you saw, but I released a video on registering music as a Publisher on BMI. I hope this is along the lines of what you needed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGqciWN9ba6bapo

[@PungentBeats]

this was extremely helpful as I've been doing it wrong for years, :O I probably have crazy royalties to claim. Thank you so much for your help!

[@copernicus99]

Very helpful video, thanks! Quick question: How do you submit an actual recording of your music (or sheet music) to BMI? In other words, how can BMI determine if your song is being played or used by another entity if BMI doesn't have the recording of your song or some other documentation which can be used to identify it? Thanks!

[@ItsThias]

Exactly, nobody seems to wanna answer this question on yt

[@justmeonthebeach]

I read from another video that you would only need the ISWC number for the song...

[@veganvocalist4782]

Thank you Ryan this is so helpful. Really appreciate your support ;D

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You’re welcome!! Thanks for watching :)

[@LOVPage]

Thanks for the info!

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You are very welcome! Thanks for being a subscriber!!!

[@artistoolive1253]

Hey thanks this was very helpful and carefully explained appreciate the walk through Ryan Waczek...

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Thanks for the comment, you're very welcome!

[@arabian9428]

I think you deserve more Subs bro

[@noveeerecords6870]

Please make a video explaining the difference between a Composer and an Author... thanks a Bunch!

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Thank you for the suggestion!

[@marvinmusiic]

6:35 what exactly does "Publisher" mean? For example is distrokid a Publisher? I don't know if Publisher and Distributor is the same thing lol.. and how would the split work then? - 100% distrokid and 100% for myself?? Thank you!!

[@cristiancasarrubias1222]

MorpheuZmusic I’m stuck at this point as well. I’d like to get a response on this question.

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Hey guys, I made this guide because this is a really common question, but also really long to explain. Please read the third answer: www.lionbold.com/blog/music-industry-myths-that-cost-you-money

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

DO NOT GIVE DISTROKID OWNERSHIP OF YOUR SONGS

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Give yourself 200% in the songwriting

[@ASoundLifeWithIman]

What if you wrote the song, but didnt produce the beat? at 7:38

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

The splits would be determined by the contract you signed with the beat-maker or the beat leasing company.

[@fibranijevidra]

That is strange. I was expecting uploading an audio file itself. I see no connection between music piece and registered song name except duration.

[@leo6659]

hmm true

[@jairrobalino]

Do you still select no publisher if you use song trust

[@nellytgm]

Is songtrust publishing your music? If not, then click no publisher.

[@Aristadoe]

I'm on CD baby is that consider a publishing deal ?

[@Saritmess]

I had the same question...

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

No it's not. A lot of confusion comes in because CD Baby has something called CD Baby Pro. People think this is a publishing deal, but it is something different called Publishing Administration. CD Baby Pro's Publishing Admin Services is actually in partner with Songtrust. Songtrust is also a publishing administration service. They collect your publishing royalties in exchange for a cut as a service fee. Songtrust is awesome because they hunt down royalties for you, but If the song never becomes popular, then it doesn't matter. Hope this helps, let me know if you have more questions.

[@lilhaiti4entertainment332]

No

[@microtonalidadynumeros9238]

Very interesting content. I am a musician who works alone, and need support and/or representation on this subjects. I appreciate the content of the video.

[@princegrwl]

Thanks Ryan for such a crystal clear explanation and video. If I am using Kontakt libraries that i have bought, should i fill Yes or No in "Does this work contains samples/medleys"? Your help is really appreciated.

[@hshx1n]

The answer is no right?

[@iamwill8]

Thanks for sharing! This helped us out tremendously.

[@LucidCiC]

So if I am working with a producer and he made the beat and i wrote the song we each get 100 for writers

[@thebeatogyt2144]

Great tutorial! I'm starting to release my own music so this helped me a lot! Thanks! Gave this video and like and I will subscribe!

[@Dramatello]

Thank you for the video. One question - how do I actually collect the roylaties? I mean, is it on the Royalty Statment thingy on the left? If so, and that section says "there are no royalty statements" - does this mean that I'm broke? (like, have no money from my music yet?)

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Excellent question. So, of course, it IS possible that you are broke, but let's assume you made one million dollars of performance royalties on BMI: It can take around 6 months (or more) to get paid. For example, royalty statements for the money you made in December will appear in your account in June of next year. You actually collect your money through Direct Deposit, so make sure you complete you BMI profile and put your checking account info in there so that BMI can drop that cash in your bank. Hope that helps!

[@jairrobalino]

What is the reason for creating a publishing account on BMI ? Is it better for independent artists to just do a songwriting account ? And use the self published option which I believe there is

[@nellytgm]

I guess it's okay to just select no-publisher. Then you'll be considered as a self-publishing artist and the royalties regarding the publishing, goes straight to you. Still, I have doubts it BMI collects them. I guess some organizations like SONGTRUST do collect them for you. they charge you a one time fee, then you register your works there and they collect the royalties.

[@TheLuckyNumber4]

I got a question, what if you didn’t produce the song how would I go about adding the person who produced it?

[@JAYKOLI]

Good video mate. You showed it in a very simple way.

[@JezreelRanan]

So i don’t need any payment for releasing my song on BMI so basically it’s free??? Is it free??

[@JezreelRanan]

Jack Omari okay but they will license my song?. Like at the end of my description they will put “KZbin Licensed” like that?

[@nataliyahbravomusic]

@@JezreelRanan no, BMI is only for royalties

[@streetlogic]

Was about to ask if I can register a song after I already have it on spotify but watching full video you covered everything thank you

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Awesome man! I appreciate the comment. Here is a post I just released yesterday that covers even more tricks and questions about BMI. Check it out! www.lionbold.com/blog/music-industry-myths-that-cost-you-money

[@83von94]

What if ur song is not out yet but u want to release it soon do u still click no on “are there any artist” and “are there any recordings” because I still want to release my song but idk if BMIs gonna track it since I clicked no

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Since BMI collects and pays out Performance Royalties which could be generated with or without a recorded song (for example, playing your song live in a bar will still get you a performance royalty) the fact that you checked the box no doesn't really matter because BMI doesn't use the recorded audio to track down your royalties. BMI looks for the reported usage of your song which is reported by venues, radio-stations, television productions, and other performers. In short, don't worry about it. If you're registered, then you're all set. Now focus on getting opportunities for your music to be used.

[@MrBuckshot18]

@@IndieMusicAcademy what if I'm registering my beat only? Let's say I name a beat "life" and the artist records a song and published lyrics and names the song "money" how does that publishing payout workout? Who gets paid?

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

RT Production you don’t register beats on BMI. You need to have either used a work for hire agreement (link in description) to get paid for the best, or negotiated a songwriting split for use of the beat to get songwriting royalties on the SONG. Beats aren’t songs because they aren’t finished. Songwriting splits sheet also linked for you in bio.

[@MrBuckshot18]

@@IndieMusicAcademy dam I registered my beats already. What would I do to fix that now?

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

RT Production just leave it. It won’t earn any royalties but what’s done is done and it doesn’t “hurt” anything. What you need to do is make sure that your proper splits are reflected in the finished song with the vocals. Track down the artist and see what’s up with those splits. If he paid you money, you might not be entitled to any splits. It all depends on your work for hire agreement. If you don’t have one, download the free contract in the bio so you can get your clients squared away

[@margueriteiurato6686]

If my track has lyrics that I sampled, so I click "music and lyrics"?

[@nellytgm]

Yup.

[@DarthNader]

If I'm a producer and release my tracks through a distributor like Distrokid, do I need to register my songs with BMI? Distrokid already sends me royalties for Spotify plays, so is there a need for BMI in my situation?

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Hi, I get this question a lot and the short answer is that YES you need BMI. There are multiple types of royalties out there and Distrokid is not enough. More info explaining this can be found here: www.lionbold.com/blog/music-industry-myths-that-cost-you-money

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

HALSYON Distrokid is NOT a publisher. You need to check out my article where I explain the difference: www.lionbold.com/blog/music-industry-myths-that-cost-you-money

[@nellymonk]

This is amazing explanation video ! Thank you so much :)

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Thank you!

[@davidmelara6357]

Great video by the way. Thanks for this

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You're welcome!

[@pattyspeedmusic]

Hello, what a great, concise explanation. I'm about to sign up as a songwriter. In the agreement it says I will need to submit works within 10 days of signing. What if I have the vocal recordings & lyrics recorded/finished in my home studio ( at least a rough draft version) but I do not yet have the music backing track from a music producer..yet? Should I hold off on signing up until the songs I'm working on are COMPLETE including the backing track? OR did I misunderstand the legal verbiage?

[@craigmacmcdaniel]

Awesome job, excellent video!!! Keep up the good work

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Thank you!

[@offxgraysee8886]

I just finished watching BMI's video explaining the registration process and I was still unsure about step 3. Being that I'm self published, I was wondering if I had to add a publisher. I've watched some of your other videos and I had complete confidence that you would clarify! Thank you so much!

[@peterk5124]

Hey, BMI member here. If you do not have a publisher, BMI considers the songwriter to be the publisher and pays the songwriter that portion of the performance royalties. If you have actually created your own publishing company as a songwriter, then enter that name and BMI will pay you anyway.

[@offxgraysee8886]

@@peterk5124 Thank you, I found this helpful!

[@danielrains2055]

Ok that is all well n good but how do they know wen n where ur song is being played. Do u need to let them know wat platforms u have ur song on so they can track it or do they rely on the honesty of the platform to be notified it was played n how often ect. U hear of the internet platforms not reporting song sales.

[@Metalpazallteway]

Amazing video in step by step... One small question, let's say the song created is instrumental genre for film music but it wasn't created for film instead a online competition. Do I still press for film under the Film TV Theater or library music tab button? Also you mentioned samples. What if I have license libraries that contain samples or do I just say no assuming my music is ready to go since they're licenced.

[@sebastiandeases1139]

How does it work if it doesn't let you upload the actual song or knows what it sounds like? How can you get credit How will it know what song

[@modofobia5626]

Can I join BMI if I already use Distro Kid?

[@nellytgm]

Yup, I guess. But you need to only register works of yours which performance rights are not being collected by distrokid.

[@allbetsRoff60]

Thank you so much, I’ve learned a lot!

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You are very welcome!

[@TheRealReVeLaTioN]

Very informative, thanks a lot for doing this!

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching and subscribing!

[@kymafaux]

If someone else purchases a beat from me and then registers their song through Bmi/Ascap do they need my CAE/IPI # to register it?

[@rosebeats09]

thanks for this, it helped me register my songs

[@orateusdijin6557]

Alright I just needed to know about using samples part really. time to make put that drone and ambient on there.

[@ozzyosbourn177]

If your song was released on Spotify and there is a performance of it, WHAT DO YOU MEAN here, its so confusing, I do have a recording of my song and it is on many web platforms,, My platforms and my recordings, I just don't get this part.

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

A stream for 30 seconds is considered a "musical performance" and by law that generates a royalty. Live concerts are not the only "musical performance royalty"

[@REEDERTHC]

This is a great answer I was confused as well

[@danbernethy494]

I have mine posted on Facebook and KZbin. Does this mean I have to say it is a performance and list it that way also?

[@apriljenkins5673]

@@danbernethy494 Why not? Your music is playing. You're performing. People see it... hear it. Seems like you'll be cutting yourself short otherwise. But, you should verify that with a seasoned professional.

[@eyeswideopen7199]

If I create an album with lets say 7 songs, would I have to register all seven songs or just the album as a whole?

[@Knardsh]

I don’t understand, how does this actually link to your song/s? Looks like you just registered some words. How do they know what song this corresponds to?

[@Itsanangell]

What if you sing and write your own songs, but use youtube beats from different producers? also what if you bought the basic leases to them? how would you register a song under those circumstances?

[@c0nt3ntcr34t0r]

Good question 👍🏽

[@thewahblife]

Great walkthrough. Thank you!

[@robjepson1467]

Hey Ryan, thanks for the awesome vid! Do you have anything on split sheets and registering songs with multiple writers?

[@iamcarvell]

I need the answer to this one too✨

[@randyplummer4622]

Thank You very much for this video! It is sure helpful!

[@cblanchhiphop]

Super helpful - thanks man!

[@paranoidbeing1191]

Hey when you’re going over the “are there any artists.” Section you say to click yes if there is a performance of it, was just curious what you exactly mean when you say that. Like a separate live version of the song? Or simply if the song is preexisting on streaming platforms prior to registering it?

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

You can click yes if there is any studio recording, live recording, recorded video of the song, or even a social media post of the song by an artist.

[@ayushmansotra2661]

Hey RYAN I ALWAYS see Licensed to KZbin by under famous music videos what does it means and I always see BMI in that section so like if I make a music video do I need to have That Licensed to KZbin by. I mean firstly what is it for and is it useful if yes than how can an independent artist get it for his/her own music video....

[@bendavidmusic]

Thank you so much for sharing this!!!

[@geraldjones4432]

Video was a great help!!

[@IndieMusicAcademy]

Awesome. Thanks for the kind words!

[@Riverwalk2022]

thank you.. very thorough and helpful

[@kathleenchristinemusic2252]

Thank you 😊 for making this video.

[@chadr4206]

Hey Ryan - I'm still confused on how BMI actually knows what the song sounds like? I don't see anywhere to provide the ISRC number or song ID or anything... just enter the song title. Am I missing a step here or do they somehow just figure out what the song sounds like that I submitted on Distrokid?

[@nellytgm]

It's fine. They find your work through a data base called Songview, and yet if they cannot, they'll somehow find your work online.