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How to Learn to Publish My Music?

The purpose of publishing music is to put it before an audience --- be it a single artist, a producer or a roomful of listeners. Hopefully, the audience will respond well and you can receive royalties for your work. The act of publishing will also protect your copyright or interest in the piece. The songwriter is the author of the work, while the publisher is a person or organization that has legal rights to the work. You can be both the songwriter and publisher of your work or you can reach out to a music publisher with the ability to collect royalties for you on a grand scale.

Things You'll Need

  • CD or flash drive
  • Envelope
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Instructions

  1. Self-Publish

    • 1

      Make a copy of the track on your computer. Right-click on the current song and select "Copy." Right-click on an empty space on your desktop and select "Paste."

    • 2

      Insert a CD or flash drive into the computer. Click on the "Computer" or "My Computer" folder in the desktop Start menu. Drag the copied track from the desktop into the storage folder representing the CD or storage drive.

    • 3

      Seal the disc or storage drive in an envelope and write the name of the song on the outside of the envelope for your personal reference.

    • 4

      Mail the sealed storage drive with your song saved on it to yourself, via certified mail. When the package arrives, don't open it. The date stamp on the envelope provided by the post office will serve as a reference point if you ever need to prove when the track was recorded.

    • 5

      Make the song available for sale or download on sites like TuneCore, ReverbNation or CDBaby. If you send the song to anyone, send it to them certified mail so you will have a record confirming that you sent the recording to them. You can also request that the recipient send or e-mail you a receipt. The receipt should indicate the name of the track and the date it was received.

    Music Publisher

    • 6

      Pick a music genre and stick with it, even if you write songs that can fit into different genres. Many music publishers want to work with a songwriter in a specific genre.

    • 7

      Find a music publisher that publishes your genre of music. Search the ASCAP or SESAC database for songs in the same genre and see who publishes them, or sign up directly with a music publisher like SESAC or BMI (see Resources).

    • 8

      Submit a demo of two or three of your best songs to music publishers that you feel will be interested in your music. Each music publisher will have requirements, such as the song format and storage device required for submissions. BMI, probably the least exacting, requires only that you sign up online. SESAC requires a demo, and only those that meet the company's standards will be accepted.

    • 9

      Have an entertainment lawyer look over any contract from a music publisher. This is not mandatory, but music publishing contracts can be complicated. Some issues to consider when selecting a music publisher is how often and when you will be paid and whether the publisher can collect royalties internationally.

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