Royalties
Royalties: The Income Streams Independent Artists Miss
Performance, mechanical, neighboring rights and sync — a quick map of who pays what, and where unclaimed money sits.
Performance royalties
Paid when your song is played publicly — radio, venues, streaming, TV. Collected by PROs like ASCAP, BMI and SESAC for songwriters and publishers.
Mechanical royalties
Paid for reproductions of the composition, including on-demand streams. In the U.S., The MLC collects streaming mechanicals — and holds unclaimed money for writers who haven't registered.
Digital performance & sync
SoundExchange pays artists and master owners for non-interactive digital radio (like Pandora and SiriusXM). Sync fees are negotiated when your music is placed in film, TV, ads or games.
Key Takeaways
- Join a PRO
- Register with The MLC and SoundExchange
- Sync is negotiated, not automatic
For More Insight
Go deeper with CHI books
Fund Your Sound
How to fund your music career the smart way — budgets, revenue streams and investment.
Sources
CHI Entertainment Network provides general educational information and does not provide legal, tax, financial or professional advice.