The Ultimate Royalties Checklist for Independent Artists

Royalties have a reputation for being one of the most confusing parts of being an independent artist. And honestly, not surprising. Your music isn’t just streams; it’s performance royalties, publishing income, YouTube revenue, neighboring rights, and multiple organizations responsible for collecting it all. The last thing any artist wants is to miss out on money they have earned simply because something was never registered or tracked properly.

That’s why we created The Ultimate Royalties Checklist for Independent Artists, a free resource designed to help you collect every royalty your music generates while keeping nothing on the table…

What This Royalties Checklist Covers

Royalties are not one single payment. They come from different sources, and they are collected by different organizations depending on where and how your music is being used.

Inside this checklist, we break down exactly what you need to set up to collect everything your music generates, including how to:

• follow a “Before You Release” roadmap so royalties start tracking from day one
• complete the key registrations every independent artist needs
• unlock additional income through optional but highly recommended tools like YouTube Content ID, neighboring rights, and fingerprinting services
• stay on top of post-release maintenance like credits, artist profiles, royalty statements, and catalog updates
• make sure you are not missing revenue as your music continues to earn over time

…and that is just the beginning.

The best part, this checklist is completely FREE.

Download The Ultimate Royalties Checklist for Independent Artists below…

What Are Music Royalties?

Music royalties are payments earned when your music is streamed, downloaded, performed, broadcast, or used in content. Independent artists earn multiple types of royalties including mechanical royalties, performance royalties, master recording income, neighboring rights, and YouTube revenue.

Each royalty type is collected by different organizations depending on how and where your music is used. That is why proper registration and setup is critical before and after every release.

Types of Royalties Every Independent Artist Should Collect

Performance Royalties

Performance royalties are earned when your music is publicly performed, whether on radio, live venues, streaming services, or television. These are typically collected through a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, or PRS.

Mechanical Royalties

Mechanical royalties are generated when your music is reproduced or streamed. In the United States, digital mechanical royalties are collected through The MLC, while other territories have their own collection societies.

Master Recording Royalties

Master royalties are earned from streams and downloads of the sound recording itself. These are typically paid through your distributor and DSP accounts.

Neighboring Rights

Neighboring rights royalties are earned when your master recording is played publicly outside the U.S. or on certain digital radio services. These are collected through organizations like SoundExchange and international neighboring rights societies.

YouTube & Content ID Revenue

YouTube royalties can come from ad revenue, Content ID claims, and monetized user-generated content. Proper fingerprinting and Content ID setup ensure you are paid when your music appears in videos across the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

What royalties should independent artists collect?

Independent artists should collect performance royalties, mechanical royalties, master recording royalties, neighboring rights income, and YouTube or Content ID revenue. Each revenue stream requires proper registration with different organizations.

Do I need a publisher to collect royalties?

You do not always need a traditional publisher, but you must register your compositions with a Performing Rights Organization and ensure mechanical royalties are properly administered. Without registration, royalties can go unclaimed.

What is the difference between mechanical and performance royalties?

Performance royalties are earned when your music is publicly played or broadcast. Mechanical royalties are earned when your music is reproduced or streamed. They are collected by different organizations.

How do I collect royalties from YouTube?

You can collect YouTube royalties through ad monetization, Content ID claims, and distribution partnerships that manage fingerprinting and revenue collection on your behalf.

When should I register my music for royalties?

You should register your music before release whenever possible. Early registration ensures royalties begin tracking from day one and prevents income from going unclaimed.