It’s true that streaming alone doesn't pay much. But for an independent artist to build a real career, you have to exploit all the different ways to make money from your music. On this episode, I’m sitting down with Dae Bogan from the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) to break down the complex world of music business and royalties.

Most artists only think about streaming and sales, but there is so much more money to collect on the back end, and it’s likely that some of it is already owed to you. We dive into why artists miss out on key income streams, the difference between the two major music copyrights (sound recording and musical work/publishing), how platforms like TikTok and Instagram pay out, and the difference between blanket and direct licensing. Dae also explains the MLC’s groundbreaking Distributor Unmatched Recordings Portal (DURP), which helps artists finally collect royalties sitting in the industry’s "black box".

If you’re a serious artist ready to collect all the money your music is earning, this episode is a must-watch.

It’s critical to understand that your music has two separate copyrights: the sound recording (the actual track/audio file) and the musical work (the composition/publishing).

• Sound Recording Royalties flow through your distributor and then to you (or your label).

• Musical Work/Publishing Royalties are split into two types: Performance Royalties (collected by PROs like ASCAP/BMI) and Mechanical Royalties (collected by the MLC and companies like Harry Fox Agency).

• If you do not have a record label, you are your own record label. If you do not have a publisher, you are your own publisher.

To get paid fully, you must register your music with the right organizations. The MLC is free to join and takes no commission. They collect blanket mechanical royalties from interactive streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, and 100% of what they collect is paid out to you.

You must also consider other organizations for specific royalty types:

• Performance Royalties: Register with a PRO (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR).

• Direct Mechanical Licenses: Register with Harry Fox Agency (HFA) and Music Reports Inc. (MRI). This is for mechanical royalties from voluntary/direct licenses associated with services like TikTok, Facebook, and gaming apps.

• Digital Radio Royalties: Register with SoundExchange for digital performance royalties from non-interactive streams like Pandora, iHeartRadio, and Sirius XM.

Whether you need to acquire a separate license for a cover song depends on the platform, not the song itself.

• If you are only distributing to major streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, etc.), you do not need a cover song license because they operate under the blanket license.

• If you are creating a music video (audio-visual content) or distributing to platforms that use direct licenses, you do need to get a license.

Featured Guest Links:

• The MLC (The Mechanical Licensing Collective): themlc.com

• MLC DURP Partners (Find your distributor here): ⁠https://www.themlc.com/durp⁠

• Dae Bogan’s Website (Free E-book: DIY Musician Starter Guide to Being Your Own Label and Publisher): daeboganmusic.com

Connect with Music Makin Cents Podcast:

• Website: mmcpod.com

On this episode of the Music Makin Cents Podcast, I'm diving into why chasing a spot on a reaction channel is a waste of your time and money. I’ve seen independent artists spend countless hours sending their music to these live streams. The truth is, these channels are not watched by real music fans and will never lead to a sustainable career. Instead, I'll show you how to use social media to build a real fan base and an ecosystem of people who genuinely connect with your music.

Step 1: Build Brand Solidarity Across All Platforms

I’ve seen a lot of independent artists have different usernames and handles on every social media platform, which makes it hard for people to find you online. To fix this, you need to have brand solidarity, which means your username, handle, bio, profile picture, and content are all consistent across every platform. You don't need to spend hours on every platform every day; simply copy and paste your posts to all your profiles and check comments once or twice a week. This simple strategy helps you grow your overall reach and build a real fan base.

Step 2: Be Entertaining and Engaging

As an independent artist, your primary job is to entertain. Don't post content that looks like an ad with salesy phrases like "out now" or "buy now". People see thousands of ads daily and will just swipe past. Instead, your content should be entertaining and engaging, showcasing your music and unique lifestyle. When you entertain people, they will voluntarily support you, becoming fans and super fans who will stream your music, visit your website, and buy your merchandise.

Step 3: Be Consistent by Planning Ahead

The only way to be consistent with your social media content and new music releases is to plan ahead. This means working at least 90 days in advance with all your content. To get started, take a day or two each week to create as much content as you can, but don't post it right away. After a couple of weeks, you will have 30 days' worth of content that you can schedule to post. Continue this process until you have a rolling 90 days' worth of content prepared. This is the best way to stay consistent and build the career in music that you want.

If all of this feels overwhelming, I want you to know I have a plan to help you.

Free Live Stream: 90 Days of Music Marketing

I'm hosting a free live stream called "90 Days of Music Marketing," which is a step-by-step plan specifically designed for indie artists who need help with setting all of this up. In this exclusive session, I'll be diving deep into how to build a solid foundation for consistent growth, strategic content creation and scheduling, social media distribution, and music registration. I'll also cover strategies to generate value beyond just streaming revenue and how to build multiple ways to create value as an independent musician.

Click here to sign up for the free live stream: https://apexmusicsystem.systeme.io/live_strategy_sessions

Website: mmcpod.com

On this episode of the Music Making Sense Podcast, I want to talk about chasing that big record deal and why it might actually be what's holding you back. The truth is, most independent artists don't actually need a record label anymore; what they really need is a marketing agency. I'll explain how record labels have changed, why a deal might not be the dream you think it is, and what a marketing agency can do to help you build a real, sustainable career.

The Harsh Realities of a Record Label Deal: While a record advance and industry connections might sound great, they come with a huge price tag. When you sign with a label, you face a significant loss of creative control; they can dictate what music you make, how you look, and even who you work with. Furthermore, the advance you receive is not free money—it’s an advance against your future royalties and earnings. You have to pay back every penny of the advance, plus all of their expenses like recording, touring, and marketing costs. This means you might not see a single dime in royalties for years, or even ever, and you’ll be locked into a restrictive long-term contract.

Why a Marketing Agency is the Modern Solution: Unlike a traditional label, a marketing agency focuses on one thing: getting your music heard by the right people and building a sustainable fan base. They don't want to own your masters or dictate your creative vision. Instead, they charge a flat fee for their services, with no restrictive contracts or strings attached. A marketing agency serves as a strategic partner, handling things like social media strategy, running targeted ad campaigns, building your email list, playlist pitching, and PR outreach. They can also help define your brand and leverage data to optimize your efforts for maximum impact. The best part? You retain 100% ownership and creative control of your music.

The Importance of Building Your Foundation First: Before you hire a marketing agency, it's crucial to understand that it is not a magic bullet. An agency's job is to amplify what you're already doing, not build something from zero. You must first have a foundation of good music, organic engagement, and a growing buzz. To build this foundation, you need to have a solid plan in place and be working at least 90 days in advance, just like the "big dogs" in the industry do. If you are consistently releasing good music, engaging with your audience, and seeing organic growth, then investing in a marketing agency is your best bet for success.

I want to emphasize that a marketing agency works best when you already have some momentum going, as they are there to amplify your efforts and take you to the next level. Empower yourself and build your own path on your own terms.

***Free Live Stream: 90 Days of Music Marketing***If you're still trying to do everything DIY and don't have a solid plan yet, I have something for you. I'm hosting a free live stream called "90 Days of Music Marketing," designed as a step-by-step plan for indie artists who need help building that solid foundation. In this exclusive session, I will cover building your foundation for consistent growth, strategic content creation and scheduling, social media distribution, music registration, and monetization strategies.

Click here to sign up for the free live stream: https://apexmusicsystem.systeme.io/live_strategy_sessions

For all things MMC Pod, head to mmcpod.com