Navigating Music Publishers for Your Music Tech Start Up: Best Practices
Amanda Schupf
Music Industry Strategist | Bridging Music Talent, Rights, Tech & Capital | Advising on the Business of Sound
Navigating Music Publishers for Your Music Tech Startup: Best Practices
Welcome to the third installment of what I am now deeming a series and simply calling: "Best Practices for Your Music Tech Startups". In this rendition, I delve into the complex world of and music publishing, focusing on engagement and high-level licensing strategies in this space. Securing buy-in from artists and labels are only part of the equation when it comes to integrating music into your platform. The other essential component is songwriters and music publishers — an intricate network of stakeholders and approval entities that a nuanced understanding for successful outcome.
1. Understand the Role of Publishers
In the dynamic landscape of the music industry, publishers play a unique and crucial role that sets them apart from record labels and, oftentimes, even the artists themselves. Their primary focus lies in championing the interests of songwriters, who, often, aren't the same individuals performing the songs.
This fundamental distinction should be at the forefront of your mind when engaging with publishers. Demonstrating a genuine consideration for the unsung heroes behind the scenes is key to establishing a productive rapport. In many ways, it's helpful to view songwriters as artists in their own right, as they are the creative force shaping the very essence of the music. Without their craft, songs wouldn't come to life, yet historically, they haven't received the same level of recognition and compensation as their front-facing counterparts.
When you approach conversations with publishers, it's vital to shine a spotlight on the songwriter, making them the 'star' of the discussion. Most publishers aren't seeking anything unreasonable; they simply seek fair and equitable compensation in line with what artists and other master participants receive. Acknowledging this and giving songwriters their due credit paves the way for meaningful collaborations and successful partnerships with publishers and the industry at large.
2. Prepare to Juggle Multiple Publishers
Songs in today's music landscape often involve a multitude of publishers, including major, indie, and self-published entities, intricately woven into the copyright framework. To effectively support your endeavors in acquiring artists or licensing music from major labels, you'll likely need to engage with all these types of publishers. Unlike major labels, which typically offer a straightforward process for licensing the master due to a single primary master holder, licensing copyrights, often requires interaction with numerous entities, adding significant complexity.
3. Streamline Efforts by Doing Blanket Deals
In the perplexing world of music publishing, efficiency is paramount. Dealing with numerous publishers can be time-consuming and complicated. To streamline your efforts and make the process more manageable, consider implementing blanket deals. These agreements allow you to negotiate and secure rights for multiple songs or catalogs in one go, rather than tackling each song individually. (I will expand on blanket deals in another piece).
4. Identify the Right Point of Contact to Initiate Contact - coming soon
5. Enter Publisher Discussions Fully Prepared
Meticulous preparation before discussions begin is your key for success. First, educate yourself on the intricacies of clearing a copyright, arming yourself with a comprehensive understanding of the process. Next, when submitting a licensing request, go beyond vague inquiries and instead, provide as many details as possible. This should encompass specific information about the song, its intended usage, the targeted geographic territories, proposed licensing fees, terms of use, and renewal conditions.
Recognize that this sector of the industry often experiences delayed payments and lower compensation compared to their peers. Hence, approaching negotiations with an equitable offer from the outset can alleviate concerns and pave the way for smoother transactions.
In Summary
Securing artists and labels is only the beginning of your music tech startup journey. Engaging with music publishers and mastering the complex world of copyright licensing is equally vital. By understanding the complexities and adopting best practices, you position your startup for success in this dynamic industry.
#BizDev #MusicPublishers #MusicTechInnovation #MusicIndustryInsights #StartUpSuccess
Addendum: As I've been writing these articles, it's becoming evident that the call-to-action strategies I present in each piece can be universally applied across different verticals in the business. My approach here revolves around high-level strategies that require a deep level of emotional intelligence, a quality sometimes in short supply in this business. It's worth noting that an emotionally intelligent strategy that resonates with artists can work just as effectively for labels and publishers. I encourage you to revisit the first two articles in this series. By doing so, you can identify and adapt strategies to suit your specific goals.
Which topic do you want to hear more about next?
Want to learn more about how MAX Music can help guide you and your music tech startup through the tangled web that is the music industry? Book a discovery call here!
Chief Creative Officer, Publishing at Downtown Music Holdings
1yIncredibly timely and important subject. These types of partnerships are really meaningful, and there will only be more and more of them. Great one!