In this episode, Jonny Amos explores the ins and outs of music publishing, focusing on what songwriters should know about choosing the right publisher, deal structures, and long-term relationships. Perfect for songwriters looking to understand how to navigate the complex world of music publishing.

Keywords

music publishing, songwriters, publishing deals, royalties, sub-publishing, music rights, music industry, publishing contracts

Key Topics

Role of music publishers in a songwriter's career

How to identify suitable publishers

Differences between admin and control deals

Importance of understanding royalty rates and splits

Global collection and sub-publishing nuances

Long-term relationships and partnership strategies

Negotiating advances and deal terms

Metadata and catalog management for songwriters

Sound bites

"A music publisher is like a songwriter’s best friend."

"Choose a publisher that fits your genre and goals."

"Know your songs and their metadata."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Music Publishing and Its Role

01:17 What Do Music Publishers Actually Do?

02:15 Long-Term Relationships and Developing Songwriters

04:38 Choosing the Right Publisher: Major vs. Independent

06:22 Genre-Specific Publishers and Niche Markets

07:48 Understanding Collection and Royalties Worldwide

12:05 Admin Deals vs. Control Deals

13:50 Deal Terms: Advances, Term, and Retention

16:38 Royalty Rates and Income Streams

17:35 Legal Aspects and Contract Clauses

19:04 Co-Writing Opportunities and Relationships

20:07 Managing Expectations and Communication

22:01 Preparing Your Catalog for Publishing

25:11 Investing in People, Not Just Songs

26:36 The Language of Songs and Metadata

27:30 Summary and Final Thoughts

Resources

Kobalt Music Publishing - https://www.kobaltmusic.com

True Love Music - https://truelovemusic.com

Ralph W Peer and Peer Music - https://peermusic.com