How to Register — A Beginner's Walkthrough
If you've never registered anywhere and don't know where to start, this is the plain-language version. No jargon, just what to actually click and do, in order. If you want a version personalized to your exact situation, use the checklist tool right below this.
Figure out your role on the song
Did you write it, perform it, or both? Many solo artists do both — if that's you, you'll need to register in two different places for two different reasons (below). If you only performed on a song someone else wrote, or only wrote a song someone else performs, you only need one of them. If you're a label handling this on behalf of an artist, the same steps apply — just with the artist's details.
If you write songs: join a PRO as a songwriter
Go to ascap.com, bmi.com, or sesac.com and look for their songwriter membership sign-up (usually free). You can only join one as a songwriter, so pick whichever one's application process and support feel like the best fit — there's no universally "correct" choice. This is what lets you collect performance royalties.
Register the actual song with your PRO
Once you've joined, log into your PRO's member portal and register each individual song — title, writers, and each writer's ownership percentage (the "splits"). Do this as soon as a song is finished, ideally before it's released.
If you write songs: also register with the MLC (U.S.)
Go to themlc.com and create a free account. This is completely separate from your PRO and covers a different type of royalty (mechanical, from streaming) — registering with only one and not the other is one of the most common mistakes new artists make.
If you perform on recordings: register with SoundExchange (U.S.)
Go to soundexchange.com and sign up as a performer — free. This is for a third, different royalty type (paid on the recording itself, not the song), so it's separate from both of the above.
Double check your distributor has the right info
When you upload a release to DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, or similar, make sure your PRO affiliation and songwriter details are entered correctly in your profile. Mismatched information between your distributor and your PRO is a common reason royalties go uncollected.