Frequently Asked Questions

SoundExchange is a nonprofit that collects digital performance royalties from non-interactive streaming services like Pandora, SiriusXM, and iHeartRadio. If your music has been played on any of these platforms, you need to register to collect those royalties — they're separate from what you earn on Spotify or Apple Music.

Spotify is an interactive platform — you choose what to play. SoundExchange collects from non-interactive platforms where a DJ or algorithm chooses the music (Pandora, SiriusXM, etc.). These are completely separate royalty streams, and you need to be registered with SoundExchange to collect them.

It depends on how much your music is being played on non-interactive platforms. Some artists earn a few dollars per quarter, while others earn thousands. The only way to know is to register and start collecting. We can help you estimate your potential earnings during a free consultation.

Yes, SoundExchange registration is free. However, the process involves registering as both an artist and a rights holder, adding your full catalog with correct ISRC codes, and configuring payment — which is where many artists make mistakes or give up. We handle the entire process to make sure everything is set up correctly from the start.

Publishing administration handles the composition (songwriting) side of your music. When your song is streamed, the composition earns mechanical royalties separate from the sound recording royalties. A publishing administrator like Songtrust registers your songs with collection societies worldwide and collects those royalties on your behalf.

Yes. Your distributor (like DistroKid) handles the sound recording — getting your masters onto streaming platforms. Publishing handles the composition — the underlying song. These are two separate copyrights that earn separate royalties. Without publishing administration, you're only collecting half of what your music earns.

No. Songtrust uses a non-exclusive administration agreement. You retain full ownership of your compositions. They simply act as your administrator to register and collect royalties on your behalf. You can leave at any time.

Mechanical royalties are earned every time your composition is "reproduced" — each stream, download, or physical copy generates a mechanical royalty. In the U.S., the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) collects digital mechanical royalties from interactive streaming platforms. Songtrust also collects mechanical royalties from international markets.

BMI and ASCAP are Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) that collect performance royalties for songwriters when music is played on radio, TV, live venues, and streaming platforms. SoundExchange collects digital performance royalties for sound recording owners and featured artists from non-interactive streaming. They collect different types of royalties — you should be registered with both.

Both are excellent PROs, and both are free to join as a songwriter. The cost difference shows up if you register a publishing entity to collect the publisher's share of your royalties: ASCAP charges $50 and currently waives it when you join as writer and publisher at the same time, while BMI charges a one-time $175 for an individual publisher, $250 for a corporation or LLC, or $500 for a partnership.

BMI has historically been strong in R&B, hip-hop, country, and Latin; ASCAP in pop, jazz, classical, and film/TV. ASCAP is a member-owned nonprofit, while BMI has been a for-profit company since its 2024 sale. Royalty rates are broadly comparable.

Fees and policies change, so confirm current terms when you apply. We can help you evaluate which is the best fit based on your genre and career goals.

Being a BMI or ASCAP member isn't enough — you also need to register each song as a "work" with your PRO. Without work registration, your PRO can't match performances of your music to your account, which means you don't get paid. Many artists are members but have zero works registered — we fix that.

An IPI (Interested Parties Information) number is your unique global identifier as a songwriter or publisher. It's assigned when you register with a PRO and is used by collection societies worldwide to identify you and route royalties to your account. Think of it like a Social Security Number for your songwriting identity.

DistroKid is one of the most cost-effective and reliable distributors in the industry. They distribute to 150+ platforms, let artists keep 100% of royalties (no per-stream fee), and deliver music quickly. We manage the DistroKid account so you get the platform's benefits without having to handle the technical details.

An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a unique identifier for each individual track. A UPC (Universal Product Code) is a barcode assigned to a release (single, EP, album). Both are required for proper distribution and royalty tracking. We assign and manage these for every release.

Most platforms receive your music within 1-3 days of upload. However, we recommend scheduling releases at least 2-4 weeks in advance to allow time for Spotify editorial playlist consideration, pre-save campaigns, and platform-specific optimizations.

Yes, absolutely. We provide administration services only — we never take ownership of your masters or compositions. You retain 100% ownership of all your music rights. Our job is to make sure those rights are properly registered and generating revenue.

Not necessarily. Some artists only need SoundExchange registration. Others need the full package. During your free consultation, we'll assess your current situation and recommend exactly the services you need — nothing more, nothing less.

Contact us for a free consultation. We'll review your catalog, identify gaps in your current administration, and build a custom plan. From there, we handle all the registrations and setup work — you just provide your music and information.

We use transparent, flat-rate pricing with no percentage cuts — you keep 100% of your royalties. Plans start at $39/mo for a single service, $69/mo for two services, or $129/mo for full administration across all four pillars. Each plan includes a one-time setup fee ($99–$299) that covers account registration and catalog setup. Visit our pricing page for full details.