The Business of Songwriting: First Steps

Get started in the business of songwriting. Learn about all of the major organizations, rights, and procedures that songwriters have to deal with in the music business.

Introduction

• Welcome

1. Understanding Performance and Mechanical Rights

• What is a split letter?
• Copyrighting your original songs
• What is a performance rights organization (PRO)?
• Registering a song with a PRO
• What is a music publisher?
• SoundExchange
• Who is Harry Fox?
• Understanding mechanical rights, master recording, and synch licenses

2. Self-Distribution and Promotion

• Being a do-it-yourself (DIY) musician
• Setting up digital and physical distribution of your music
• Direct-to-fan connection with Topspin, Bandcamp, and ReverbNation
• Manufacturing physical copies of your music
• Selling your music using Square Register and Reader
• The importance of your website
• Social promotion
• Maintaining a mailing list
• The importance of video and a YouTube presence
• Music placement
• Who's on your team?

Conclusion

• What's next?