The Musician's Guide to Publishing & Performing Rights from Udemy

Welcome to the "Musician's Guide" Series.

This series is pulled directly from the courses I've created for my university position in Music Business. All of these courses are designed for the everyday musician - amateur or professional - who has little or no knowledge on the topic, but wants to master it.

This class is all about Publishing and Performing Rights. Which is to say: This class is about getting paid for your music.

100% Answer Rate. Every single question posted to this class is answered within 24 hours by the instructor. It is ideal for anyone who writes music. Especially:

Creators: If you are making music, you need to understand publishing. You are literally giving away money by not setting up publishing correctly.
Musicians: Performing Rights Organizations pay the creators of music for their "public performance". That means anytime something you've written is played (played live, or even a recording is played in a coffee shop), you get paid.
Producers: If you are producing music, you need to understand publishing.

In this class, we start with defining "music publishing" - it is a big topic (and has nothing to do with publishing books...). Then I'll walk you through how to set yourself up as a publisher so you can take advantage of the performing rights organizations that pay the publisher half of your earnings. I'll walk you through every step of the process and explain the logic behind every concept.

The goal of this class is for you to start getting the money that you are owed for your music.

Software:This course is NOT specific to any DAW program.Genre:Publishing has no genre - so all are welcome here.

Topics Covered:

Publishing
Co-Publishers
Cashing In on Publishing
Performing Rights Organizations
Music publishing, and music industry trends
Make money online with your music.
Getting Paid from the PRO
The Publisher's Cut

If you are ready to start making money from your music, and making sure it is protected, this class will start you on that journey. Get started today.

Dr. Allen is a university music professor and is a top-rated Udemy instructor - with nearly 100 courses and over 200,000 students.

In 2017 Star Tribune Business featured him as a "Mover and a Shaker," and he is recognized by the Grammy Foundation for his music education classes.

I guarantee that this course is the most thorough publishing course available ANYWHERE on the market - or your money back (30-day money-back guarantee)

Closed captions have been added to all lessons in this course.

Praise for Courses by Jason Allen:

⇢ "It seems like every little detail is being covered in an extremely simple fashion. The learning process becomes relaxed and allows complex concepts to get absorbed easily. My only regret is not taking this course earlier." - M. Shah

⇢ "Great for everyone without any knowledge so far. I bought all three parts... It's the best investment in leveling up my skills so far.." - Z. Palce

⇢ "Excellent explanations. No more or less than what is needed." - A. Tóth

⇢ "VERY COOL. I've waited for years to see a good video course, now I don't have to wait anymore. Thank You. " - Jeffrey Koury

⇢ "I am learning LOTS. And I really like having the worksheets. " - A. Deichsel

⇢ "The basics explained very clearly - loads of really useful tips. " - J. Pook

⇢ "Jason is really quick and great with questions, always a great resource for an online class. " M. Smith

Students who register for this course will receive ongoing exclusive content and discounts for all future classes in the series.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Making money with your music!
Publishing basics
Setting up publishing as an independent artist
Cashing in on publishing
Performing rights
Performing rights organizations

Ascap, bmi, and sesac
Mechanical licenses
Harry fox agency
Synchronization rights (sync rights)
Dramatic rights (grand rights)
Publisher responsibilities

Making money with your music!
Publishing basics
Setting up publishing as an independent artist
Cashing in on publishing
Performing rights
Performing rights organizations
Ascap, bmi, and sesac
Mechanical licenses
Harry fox agency
Synchronization rights (sync rights)
Dramatic rights (grand rights)
Publisher responsibilities

Syllabus

Welcome to The Musician's Guide to Publishing and Performing Rights!

Introduction

What We are Covering Here

Tools You Will Need for This Class

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores performing rights organizations like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, which are essential for musicians seeking royalties for public performances of their work

Covers mechanical and synchronization rights, which are crucial for musicians looking to license their music for recordings, film, TV, and video games

Taught by a university music professor recognized by the Grammy Foundation, which lends credibility and suggests a high standard of music education

Focuses on setting up publishing as an independent artist, which is valuable for musicians who want to retain control over their music and revenue streams

Requires learners to set up an LLC, which may involve legal and administrative hurdles that some musicians may find challenging or costly

Features a disclaimer stating that the instructor is not a lawyer, so learners should seek professional legal advice for specific situations

Reviews summary

Musician's guide to publishing & rights

According to learners, this course is a highly recommended, practical guide for musicians seeking to understand publishing and performing rights and how to get paid for their music. Students praise the instructor, Dr. Allen, for making complex concepts clear and understandable, often in a step-by-step manner. While particularly effective for beginners and independent artists looking for actionable information, a few reviewers noted it might feel a bit basic if you already have some prior knowledge or are seeking more in-depth coverage on specific advanced topics or recent trends.

Covers essential aspects of publishing and PROs.

"Covered the main points well. Some parts could be more in-depth, especially on sync licensing specifics."

"The section on ASCAP/BMI was very informative."

"Clear, concise, and essential information. Every musician needs this knowledge."

Excellent starting point for those new to the topic.

"Decent introduction, but felt a bit basic for someone already familiar with some industry terms. It's great for absolute beginners though."

"Highly recommend for independent artists."

"Very practical guide... It demystifies the process."

Explains complex music business topics simply.

"This course is a game-changer for any musician. The information on PROs and publishing is incredibly clear and actionable."

"I finally understand how to get paid for my music. Dr. Allen explains complex topics simply."

"Fantastic course! Everything is laid out step-by-step, especially the parts about setting up your own publishing."

Some reviewers desired more advanced detail.

"Some parts could be more in-depth, especially on sync licensing specifics."

"Decent introduction, but felt a bit basic for someone already familiar with some industry terms."

"Could maybe use updates on current industry trends, but the core info is solid."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Musician's Guide to Publishing & Performing Rights with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of music theory to better grasp the concepts of publishing and performing rights, especially regarding composition ownership and licensing.

Browse courses on Music Theory

Show steps

Review scales, chords, and key signatures.
Practice identifying intervals and rhythms.
Complete online music theory quizzes.

Read 'All You Need to Know About the Music Business' by Donald Passman

Show steps

Gain a broader understanding of the music business landscape, including publishing deals, royalties, and legal considerations.

View All You Need to Know About the Music Business:... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the sections on publishing and performing rights.
Take notes on key concepts and terminology.
Reflect on how the information applies to your music career.

Show steps

Take concrete steps to protect your performing rights and start collecting royalties for your music.

Show steps

Research ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.
Choose the PRO that best fits your needs.
Gather the necessary information and documents.
Complete the online registration process.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Follow online tutorials on music licensing

Show steps

Learn the process of licensing your music for film, TV, and other media.

Show steps

Search for tutorials on sync licensing.
Watch the tutorials and take notes.
Research potential licensing opportunities.
Prepare your music for licensing submissions.

Compose a song and register it with your PRO

Show steps

Apply your knowledge of publishing and performing rights by creating original music and taking the necessary steps to protect your work.

Show steps

Write and arrange an original song.
Record a demo of your song.
Register the song with your PRO.
Keep records of your song's usage.

Read 'The Future of Music' by David Kusek and Gerd Leonhard

Show steps

Understand the broader trends shaping the music industry and how they impact publishing and performing rights.

View Melania on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on digital distribution and monetization.
Consider how technology is changing the role of publishers.
Brainstorm new ways to leverage your music rights.

Create a spreadsheet to track your royalties

Show steps

Develop a system for managing your royalty income and ensuring accurate payments.

Show steps

Design a spreadsheet with columns for song title, PRO, performance date, and royalty amount.
Enter your royalty data into the spreadsheet.
Calculate your total royalty income.
Analyze your royalty trends.

Career center

Learners who complete The Musician's Guide to Publishing & Performing Rights will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Music Publisher

A music publisher manages and exploits copyrights on behalf of songwriters and composers. This role involves securing licenses for the use of music, collecting royalties, and promoting the works to maximize their earning potential. This course directly prepares individuals for the responsibilities of a music publisher, using the course content to understand the complexities of music publishing rights, including how to set up as a publisher, obtain mechanical licenses, navigate performing rights organizations, and effectively collect publishing royalties. The course is especially helpful to those who need to understand setting up a publishing company and administering licenses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Publisher

Music Licensing Coordinator

A music licensing coordinator manages the process of securing licenses for the use of copyrighted music in various media. This role requires a deep understanding of music publishing, performing rights, and mechanical licenses. This course, focused on publishing and performing rights, is highly beneficial for aspiring licensing coordinators. The course directly addresses topics such as performing rights organizations and mechanical licenses, providing the necessary knowledge to succeed in this role. The course explains how to obtain sync licenses, a critical aspect of this position.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Licensing Coordinator

Rights Administrator

A rights administrator is responsible for the management of copyrights and intellectual property rights related to music. This includes tasks such as registering copyrights, managing licenses, and collecting royalties. The course helps an individual interested in this career by providing a detailed guide to publishing, performing rights, and related licensing. The course material covers the operational aspects of publishing and emphasizes the importance of understanding performing rights organizations, helping the rights administrator make sure that they are collecting all earnings. This course will help them become familiar with the intricacies of mechanical and sync rights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Rights Administrator

Artist Manager

An artist manager oversees the career of a musician, including business and financial aspects. This role requires a thorough understanding of music publishing, performing rights, and mechanical licenses because the artist manager must ensure that their clients are fairly compensated for their music. The course provides the necessary knowledge for an artist manager to protect their client's interests and maximize their income by showing them how to set up publishing correctly and make money online with music. This course will help build a foundation in the field of publishing, which is a huge industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artist Manager

Music Business Consultant

A music business consultant provides expert advice to musicians and music industry companies. To be effective, the consultant must understand music publishing, performing rights, and licensing, all of which are addressed in this course. The consultant can use the knowledge gained in this course to guide clients in publishing, performing rights, and how to get paid from PROs. The course is particularly valuable for consultants who need to advise clients on the intricacies of setting up as a publisher and understanding the different types of music rights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Business Consultant

Songwriter

A songwriter creates original musical compositions. To ensure they are properly compensated for their work, they need to understand music publishing. The course is ideal for songwriters because it emphasizes how to set up publishing correctly, to avoid giving away money, and how to collect all earnings from performing rights organizations. The course's comprehensive approach is incredibly useful for a songwriter, addressing topics ranging from publishing basics to the intricacies of mechanical and sync rights. This course can help songwriters make the most of their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter

Composer

A composer creates original musical works, often for film, television, or other media. This role demands an understanding of music publishing, performing rights organizations, and various licensing options, all of which are covered by this course. The course will be especially useful because it addresses how to get sync licenses for placement in film and TV, and it will also guide composers in setting up their publishing so that they can be paid for their work. This course provides a thorough understanding of the business aspects of music, aiding composers in managing their music rights effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Music Producer

A music producer oversees the recording and production of music. This role benefits from a strong understanding of music publishing and performing rights, especially as producers may also be involved in songwriting and the generation of income from music. The course helps producers through its section on how to set up publishing, how to obtain mechanical licenses, and the role of performing rights organizations. The course is very useful for producers, as it helps them protect their financial interests and gives them the knowledge to collect all of their earnings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Entertainment Lawyer

An entertainment lawyer specializes in legal matters related to the entertainment industry, including music. This role requires a thorough understanding of music publishing, copyright laws, and licensing agreements. Although this course does not give legal advice, it may be useful for an entertainment lawyer because it provides a comprehensive overview of the music publishing industry, covering topics such as performing rights organizations, mechanical licenses, and sync rights. The course may help an entertainment lawyer understand the music business from the perspective of their clients. This role typically requires an advanced degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entertainment Lawyer

Music Supervisor

A music supervisor selects and licenses music for film, television, and other media projects. The course may be useful for music supervisors because of its information about publishing, performing rights, and sync rights, which are all essential to music supervision. The course covers topics such as mechanical licenses, performing rights organizations and how to get sync licenses. While this course does not give legal advice, it may help music supervisors understand the complexities of music licensing and make informed decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Supervisor

A copyright specialist manages and protects the copyrights of creative works. This role requires an understanding of intellectual property law and the intricacies of licensing. This course may be useful for a copyright specialist because it goes in-depth on music publishing, performing rights, and other related licensing. The course may help the specialist with topics such as publishing and mechanical licenses, which are core competencies of the position. The course may also help the specialist understand the various types of rights related to music, including sync rights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copyright Specialist

A&R Representative

An A&R representative scouts new talent and manages artists' creative output for record labels. This role requires a good understanding of the music business, especially music publishing. This course may be useful to A&R reps, as it covers publishing, performing rights, and licensing, which is critical for the success of signed artists. An A&R representative can use this course to learn the basics of music publishing, as well as the more complex aspects of mechanical and sync rights. The course may help them negotiate publishing deals and better understand the financial aspects of music.

See salaries and explore the career path for A&R Representative

Music Educator

A music educator teaches music theory, history, and performance. This role may be useful with a basic understanding of music publishing, particularly for educators who teach songwriting. The course may be useful because it touches on music publishing, performing rights organizations and mechanical licenses, which are areas that instructors may wish to include in a curriculum. Music educators would benefit particularly from the course's overview of the business side of music, as well as the tools necessary to protect the financial interests of musicians.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Educator

Entertainment Publicist

An entertainment publicist promotes artists and their work. They may benefit from a basic understanding of how music publishing works. Although this course focuses on publishing and performing rights, rather than public relations, the course may be useful for a publicist who needs a more in-depth understanding of performing rights organizations and mechanical licenses. This course may help publicists more fully understand and help their clients better understand the business side of music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entertainment Publicist

Event Coordinator

An event coordinator plans and manages events, occasionally involving live music. This role may involve basic knowledge of music licensing, especially for events where music is performed publicly. The course may be useful to event coordinators because it includes an overview of performing rights organizations and the concept of public performance, allowing an event coordinator to understand what licenses may be necessary. The course may help an event coordinator have a better understanding of the rights of the musicians involved in their events.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Coordinator

The Musician's Guide to Publishing & Performing Rights

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Musician's guide to publishing & rights

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses