Music Publishing Deals, Teach Me...

[junior spesh]

Im on the verge of being offered a publishing deal, but, after researching all over the internet i still don't actually know what it is they do.
Any knowledgable people care to shed any light on this cuz vague explainations about U.S.A hip hop artists and songwriter publication deals dont really seem to be much use to me...

Blessss...

[isiahfire]

In as basic terms as possible, cos i don't know a great deal myself, a publisher aims to recoup the money you should technically be payed whenever your music is used/broadcast in the public domain, they obviously take a hefty cut and will probably offer you a sizeable advance, after which you won't see much money until you go mega big time!

But its a big step up, so big up yourself!

[grotbags]

Im on the verge of being offered a publishing deal, but, after researching all over the internet i still don't actually know what it is they do.
Any knowledgable people care to shed any light on this cuz vague explainations about U.S.A hip hop artists and songwriter publication deals dont really seem to be much use to me...

Blessss...

Can be a good thing can be a shit thing to get locked into , most important is look at the size of their cut vs the length of contract , for instance if they are taking a 60% cut and you blow up big time and you're locked into a long contract then you put in a lot of work for minimal returns. Also be sure when you walk away from the contract that they are not due anything from you , Short contracts is the key to retaining control of your music. 1/2 year max re-negotiate every year and don't take the first publishing deal you're offered.

[junior spesh]

Im on the verge of being offered a publishing deal, but, after researching all over the internet i still don't actually know what it is they do.
Any knowledgable people care to shed any light on this cuz vague explainations about U.S.A hip hop artists and songwriter publication deals dont really seem to be much use to me...

Blessss...

Can be a good thing can be a shit thing to get locked into , most important is look at the size of their cut vs the length of contract , for instance if they are taking a 60% cut and you blow up big time and you're locked into a long contract then you put in a lot of work for minimal returns. Also be sure when you walk away from the contract that they are not due anything from you , Short contracts is the key to retaining control of your music. 1/2 year max re-negotiate every year and don't take the first publishing deal you're offered.

Thanks for da info people...

[junior spesh]

In as basic terms as possible, cos i don't know a great deal myself, a publisher aims to recoup the money you should technically be payed whenever your music is used/broadcast in the public domain, they obviously take a hefty cut and will probably offer you a sizeable advance, after which you won't see much money until you go mega big time!

But its a big step up, so big up yourself!

ha ha safe bruv..

[adamc]

Yeah basically you need to weigh up the length of contract, the cut they're going to take of your publishing, the advance they offer you, their reputation, how much work they're going to get you, and how pro-active they're going to be getting your material used and making money

You also have to remember that you don't necessarily need to take an advance and then whatever PRS you receive will be yours straight away. Depends if you need some cash instantly. Plus remember that an advance is non-taxable because it counts as a debt

The publishing company I'm signed to is pretty awesome, they're incredibly pro-active with getting me work and pitching out my stuff to anywhere possible. Their are schools of thought that when a company gives you an enormous advance they will work harder for you to recoup their investment but that's not necessarily the case. I know a few writers signed to majors who took large advances and have been lost in the mechanics of the big machines! Remember that a smaller publishing company will have a smaller artist roster and therefore be able to dedicate more time to you.

Hope that all helps!