Writer's share
Historically, 50% of total royalties generated by a song, paid directly to the songwriter regardless of their publishing arrangement. Most PROs pay the writer's share directly to the writer rather than routing it through the publisher, protecting songwriters from publisher bankruptcy or non-payment.
Articles about Writer's share
Songwriting Camp & Co-Writing Etiquette: How to Get Invited Back
Songwriting camps separate career writers from hobbyists faster than talent alone. The difference is not who writes the best hook but who understands co-writing etiquette well enough to get invited back.
Why songwriting camps fail musicians: 5 costly mistakes
Songwriting camps promise collaboration and industry access, but structural failures leave most participants without meaningful revenue or rights. From upfront publishing grabs to administrative breakdowns, here are the five costly mistakes that make camps a poor investment for most writers.
Mistakes Songwriters Should Avoid During Song Registration
Mistakes songwriters should avoid during song registration determine whether you collect every dollar your music earns or leave thousands on the table. Registration errors fragment your catalog and break royalty matching across CMOs, DSPs, and mechanical licensing databases.
LOMO: What to Know Before Signing with Songtrust
LOMO agreements transfer publishing rights for the entire life of copyright, not a fixed term. Before signing with Songtrust or any publisher offering LOMO terms, songwriters need to understand exactly what rights they're assigning, whether reversion is possible, and how these deals compare to standard publishing contracts.
Publishing Glossary Music Terms: Every Term Independent Artists Need to Know
Music publishing terminology is deliberately opaque, designed by an industry that profits from confusion. This glossary translates the language of royalties, rights, and revenue streams into plain terms independent artists can use to get paid correctly.
Does DistroKid Collect All Your Mechanical Royalties?
DistroKid collects some, but not all, of your mechanical royalties. This is the most direct answer, but it hides a more important truth for independent songwriters.