Your business foundation is built (Blocks 1-2). Now it's time to start collecting revenue. Most artists only collect from one source and miss 60-80% of their potential income. This roadmap shows you all three revenue pillars and exactly how Weeks 10-13 will collect from each.
Sources: streaming (master portion), downloads, physical, digital radio (Pandora/SiriusXM), sync (master rights), international neighboring rights.
Collected by: your distributor (Week 8) + SoundExchange (Week 10).
Sources: radio, TV & film, streaming (performance portion), live venues, background music, international airplay.
Collected by: ASCAP or BMI — writer AND publisher accounts (SESAC is invite-only).
Sources: streaming (mechanical portion), downloads, physical, sync, sample clearances, cover songs.
Collected by: The MLC, Harry Fox, Music Reports.
Most artists only collect master recording royalties from their distributor — roughly 20-40% of their total potential music income. The remaining 60-80% sits uncollected in performance and mechanical royalty pools, because artists don't know these separate collection systems exist.
There are publishing AND master recording versions of both performance and mechanical royalties:
Most artists only collect #4 and miss #1, #2, and #3 entirely — that's why the separate collection systems in Block 3 are essential for maximum revenue.
Each royalty type requires separate collection accounts. Major labels collect from all three pillars simultaneously — independent artists who follow the same strategy achieve major-label-level collection while keeping full ownership and control.
Gather these documents and information NOW to streamline every registration in Weeks 10-13. Most accounts take 15-30 minutes when everything is prepared.
📄 Business Documents
🏢 Business Information
👤 Personal Information
🎵 Music Information
💳 Payment Information
Keep all of these in a dedicated folder — physical AND digital (this becomes your Business Bible in Week 14). Quick access during registrations turns each account into a 15-minute task.
You've built the foundation — your business is established and legally protected. The next four weeks install every collection meter your music needs. Every dollar your music generates should have a pipe flowing into one of your two accounts.