Brainstorm some music publishing company names. For example, you might consider using your initials or the name of the street on which you grew up. Tailor your company name to the type of music you plan on publishing as best as possible. Come up with a few names, as you will need to submit three different ideas for approval to the performing rights organization you register with.
Complete an application to a performing rights organization like the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI), or the Society of European Stage Authors & Composers (SESAC), submitting your company name ideas in order of preference. These organizations will help track instances in which your published music is used and will distribute any due royalties to you.
Register as a business. You can choose to register as a sole-proprietorship, LLC or corporation depending on your proposed business structure.
Scout music and songwriting talent. Go to shows, visit artists' websites and take recommendations from people in the music industry as to which artists to look out for.
Approach performing and non-performing songwriters and offer them publishing contracts.
Register your artists' songs via the U.S. Copyright Office, if they have not already been registered.
Register your copyrighted songs with the performing rights organization you chose to work with.
Advertise your company and contact media companies that might be interested in your catalog of songs. For example, if your publishing company owns the publishing rights to a lot of heavy metal songs, contact companies that you think might be interested in using your songs in commercials, movies, etc.