Getting paid for your music starts with one simple step: registering your songs with a PRO. If you’re making music professionally, this is how you collect royalties from radio plays, streaming services, live performances, and TV placements. This guide walks you through the whole PRO registration process, from picking the right organization to tracking your earnings.
Difficulty level: Pretty easy. You’ll need about 30–45 minutes to complete the initial registration and song submission process.
What you’ll need: Basic info about your songs (titles, co-writers), a computer with internet access, and your personal ID documents for membership applications.
Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) are basically the middlemen between you and your money. They collect royalties whenever your music gets played publicly—whether that’s on BBC Radio 1, in a coffee shop, or through Spotify. Without PRO registration, you’re leaving money on the table.
PROs monitor thousands of revenue streams you’d never track yourself. Radio stations report their playlists, venues submit performance data, and streaming services share play counts. Your PRO takes this info and calculates your earnings based on complex formulas that consider things like audience size and broadcast reach.
The main revenue streams include:
Think of PRO registration as setting up a collection system for money that’s already being generated by your music. Every time someone plays your registered songs publicly, you earn performance royalties. The amounts vary—a primetime TV placement pays more than a coffee shop play—but it all adds up.
Not all PROs work the same way. In the US, you have three main options: ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. ASCAP and BMI are open to anyone, while SESAC operates by invitation only. Internationally, you’ll find PRS (UK), SOCAN (Canada), APRA (Australia), and many others.
ASCAP charges a one-time $50 fee to join. They pay quarterly and offer decent educational resources. Their payment system is transparent, with detailed statements showing exactly where your money comes from.
BMI is free to join for songwriters ($150 for publishers). They also pay quarterly but use different calculation methods than ASCAP. Many writers prefer BMI’s online tools and mobile app for tracking performances.
SESAC works differently—they actively recruit members and offer more personalized service. If you’re generating solid royalties, they might reach out to you directly.
For international artists, consider your home country’s PRO first. PRS in the UK has reciprocal agreements with PROs worldwide, meaning they’ll collect your international royalties too. Same goes for SOCAN in Canada and APRA in Australia.
Payment schedules matter. Most PROs pay quarterly, but there’s often a delay. Money collected in January might not reach you until September. Factor this into your financial planning.
Once you’ve joined a PRO, registering songs is straightforward but requires attention to detail. Log into your member portal—every PRO has an online registration system now.
Start with the basics: song title and any alternative titles. Be consistent with spelling and punctuation. If your song is called “Love Song (2024 Version),” register it exactly that way every time.
Next, add all writers and their ownership percentages. This is where many people mess up. If you wrote the song with someone else, you need their PRO member info. Get their IPI number (a unique identifier) to ensure proper registration. Split percentages must add up to exactly 100%—no more, no less.
Understanding writer versus publisher share confuses many people. Here’s the simple version: writers automatically get 50% of total royalties (the writer’s share). The other 50% (publisher’s share) goes to whoever owns the publishing rights. If you haven’t signed a publishing deal, you own both shares.
Some songs have ISWC codes—international identifiers that help PROs track songs across borders. If you have one, add it. If not, your PRO might assign one later.
Double-check everything before submitting. Fixing mistakes later involves paperwork and delays. Most PROs let you save drafts, so use this feature if you’re missing info.
Registration is just the beginning. Smart musicians actively monitor their royalty statements to catch missing payments and spot trends. Log into your PRO account monthly, even if payments come quarterly.
Your royalty statement shows more than just payment amounts. It reveals which songs earn the most, what types of usage generate income, and where your music gets played. Use this data to guide your career decisions.
Live performances need special attention. Many PROs let you submit setlists for your shows. This seems tedious, but venue license fees get distributed based on actual performances. No setlist means no share of that money.
Streaming services require proper metadata. Make sure your distributor has your correct PRO info. Mismatched data between your distributor and PRO causes payment delays or lost royalties.
Set calendar reminders to check for missing royalties. If you know your song played on a major radio station but don’t see it on your statement after six months, contact your PRO. They can investigate and often recover missing payments.
Some PROs offer direct deposit, which gets you paid faster than paper checks. Set this up immediately. Also, update your tax info annually to avoid payment holds.
PRO registration might seem like paperwork, but it’s really about getting paid for your creative work. Every song you write has earning potential through performance royalties. Taking time to properly register and monitor your catalog ensures you collect what you’ve earned. The music industry has enough challenges—don’t let missing royalty payments be one of them.
At Wisseloord, we understand that the business side of music can feel overwhelming. That’s why our programs cover both creative and professional development, helping artists build sustainable careers. If you’re ready to learn more, contact our experts today.