As a songwriter, one thing you need to absolutely make sure you do is register with a Performing Rights Organization, also known as a PRO. In the United States, the main PROs are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. These are the organizations that help make sure you get paid when your songs are performed publicly, played on the radio, streamed, broadcast on TV, or performed live.
If you write your own music, this is not a step you want to skip. Registering with a PRO helps connect your songs to you as the songwriter, so the right royalties can make their way back to the right person. In this post, we’ll break down what PROs do, how to register, what info you’ll need, and where Symphonic Publishing Administration fits into the bigger picture.
Key Takeaways
Registering with a PRO helps songwriters collect performance royalties when their music is streamed, performed live, broadcast, or played publicly.
Your PRO is not your publisher. PROs collect performance royalties, while publishing administration can help collect additional royalty types.
Joining a PRO is only the first step. You still need to register your songs, add co-writers, and confirm your splits.
What Is a PRO?
A PRO, or Performing Rights Organization, collects and distributes public performance royalties on behalf of songwriters, composers, and publishers.
Public performance royalties are generated when your composition is performed or played publicly. That can include radio, TV, live venues, restaurants, bars, clubs, digital streaming services, satellite radio, and more.
In the U.S., the main PROs are:
As a writer, you typically affiliate with one U.S. PRO at a time. Once you choose one, that organization becomes responsible for collecting your writer’s share of public performance royalties.
Why Songwriters Need to Register with a PRO
If you write songs, registering with a PRO is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your income.
Your distributor gets your music onto platforms. Your PRO helps collect public performance royalties tied to the composition. Those are two very different jobs, and both matter.
Here’s why PRO registration matters:
- It connects you to the songs you’ve written.
- It helps your PRO know who to pay.
- It helps track public performances of your music.
- It makes it easier to collect your writer’s share of performance royalties.
- It helps prevent royalties from sitting unclaimed.
These organizations rely on the information you provide to determine who needs to be paid and how much. That means your songwriter information, song titles, co-writer splits, publisher details, and other metadata need to be as accurate as possible from the start.
ASCAP vs. BMI vs. SESAC: Which PRO Should You Choose?
ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC all collect public performance royalties, but they do not work exactly the same way.
| PRO | Who can join? | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| ASCAP | Songwriters, composers, and publishers can apply directly. | ASCAP is a common choice for independent songwriters who want to affiliate directly as writers. |
| BMI | Songwriters, composers, and publishers can apply directly. | BMI allows songwriters to apply online and provides separate options for writers and publishers. |
| SESAC | Invitation-only. | SESAC does not accept unsolicited submissions, so most independent songwriters start with ASCAP or BMI unless invited. |
Before you join any PRO, check the current requirements directly on their official website. Fees, application policies, and publisher account rules can change over time.
How to Register with a PRO
The exact process depends on the PRO you choose, but the general steps are pretty straightforward.
1. Choose your PRO
Start by deciding whether ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC is the right fit for you. Since SESAC is invitation-only, most independent songwriters will usually be choosing between ASCAP and BMI.
Take a little time to review each organization’s writer agreement, payment schedule, member tools, and publisher account options before you apply.
2. Gather your information
Before you start your application, make sure you have the basics ready. You may need:
- Your legal name
- Your songwriter or artist name
- Your mailing address
- Your email address
- Your tax information
- Your bank information for payments
- Your publisher information, if applicable
If you’re under 18, there may be additional requirements, so check the PRO’s official instructions before applying.
3. Create your writer account
Once you choose your PRO, create your writer account through their official website. This is your songwriter affiliation.
Important note: Joining as a writer is not the same thing as setting up a publisher account. If you are self-published or planning to collect publisher shares yourself, review whether you also need a publisher account or publishing administration support.
4. Register your songs
After your account is approved, you still need to register your songs. This is the part many artists forget.
Joining a PRO tells the organization who you are. Registering your songs tells them what you wrote, who else helped write it, and how royalties should be split.
5. Add co-writers and splits
If you wrote a song with other people, make sure the split information is correct before you submit it. Your splits should total 100 percent, and every writer should understand and agree to the ownership breakdown.
This is where good documentation matters. Before you release a song, make sure everyone involved is clear on who wrote what, who owns what, and how royalties should be divided.
What Information Do You Need to Register a Song?
When you register a song with your PRO, you’ll usually need information like:
- Song title
- Alternate titles, if any
- Writer names
- Writer IPI or CAE numbers, if available
- Ownership percentages
- Publisher information, if applicable
- Performer or artist name
- Release information
- ISWC, if available
Don’t rush this part. Incorrect song registrations can slow down royalty payments, create conflicts with collaborators, and make it harder to claim money that belongs to you.
Need help keeping your song details organized? Check out this guide to music publishing for a deeper breakdown of rights, royalties, and who gets paid.
What Royalties Do PROs Collect?
PROs collect public performance royalties. These are generated when your composition is performed or played publicly.
That can include:
- Radio airplay
- TV broadcasts
- Live performances
- Music played in public spaces
- Digital performance income from streaming platforms
- Satellite radio
Here’s the important thing to remember: PROs do not collect every type of royalty your music can generate.
What Does Symphonic Publishing Administration Collect Besides What My PRO Collects?
Your PRO is a major piece of the puzzle, but it is not the whole puzzle.
Performing Rights Organizations typically collect:
- Performance royalties from radio and TV
- Digital performance royalties from streaming and satellite radio
- Live performance royalties
Symphonic Publishing Administration, in partnership with Songtrust, can help collect additional publishing royalties such as:
- Mechanical royalties
- Streaming mechanical royalties
- Download mechanical royalties
- Print royalties
- Ringtone royalties
In the U.S., digital audio mechanical royalties are handled through The Mechanical Licensing Collective, also known as The MLC. Outside the U.S., royalties may be collected by different societies depending on the territory. That’s one reason publishing administration can be so helpful for independent songwriters.
If you want a bigger-picture breakdown, check out how to know if you’re eligible to collect publishing royalties.
Is My PRO Also My Publisher?
No. Your PRO is not your publisher.
A PRO collects public performance royalties and reports those royalties to songwriters, publishers, and publishing administrators. A publisher or publishing administrator helps manage the broader publishing side of your songs, including registrations, royalty collection, and administration across different societies and territories.
Joining a PRO is extremely important, but it is only one part of the publishing story. If you write your own music, there may be other royalties out there that your PRO does not collect.
For more on this, check out Symphonic’s Best Damn Publishing Guide for the Music Industry.
Can Symphonic Sign Me Up for a PRO?
Sadly, no. Only you, as the writer, can affiliate with a PRO.
That means you need to choose your PRO and create your own writer account. Once that is set up, publishing administration can help with parts of the registration and collection process, depending on the services you use.
Does Working with Symphonic Replace My PRO?
No. Working with Symphonic Publishing Administration does not replace your PRO.
You still need your own PRO account to collect the writer’s share of your public performance royalties. If you join Symphonic Publishing Administration, we can help with publishing administration and royalty collection, but your PRO still plays an important role in getting your writer’s share paid to you.
✨ NOTE: If you have already registered yourself as a songwriter with a PRO, please do not delete your account with that PRO. ✨
Common PRO Registration Mistakes to Avoid
PRO registration is simple, but there are a few common mistakes that can create problems later.
- Joining a PRO but forgetting to register your songs. Your account is just the first step. Your works need to be registered too.
- Entering incorrect splits. Always confirm percentages with your co-writers before submitting.
- Using inconsistent names. Make sure your legal name, writer name, and publisher information are accurate and consistent.
- Assuming your distributor collects publishing royalties. Distribution and publishing are different parts of the music business.
- Waiting too long to register. If you wait, you may miss out on royalties that could have been collected earlier.
To Wrap It All Up…
Registering with a PRO is a crucial part of your career as a songwriter. It helps make sure you get paid when your songs are performed publicly, streamed, broadcast, or played live.
But remember, joining a PRO is not the same thing as handling all of your publishing. Your PRO collects public performance royalties, but there are other types of publishing royalties your music may generate. If your music is being distributed, performed worldwide, and you don’t have a publishing deal, your royalties could be sitting in collection societies around the world waiting to be claimed.
That’s exactly why we created Symphonic Publishing Administration, to help independent artists and songwriters collect more of what they’ve earned and make the process easier to manage.
You wrote the songs. Make sure you’re set up to collect what they earn.
FAQs About Registering with a PRO
Do I need a PRO if I release music independently?
Yes. If you write your own songs, registering with a PRO helps you collect performance royalties when your music is played publicly, streamed, broadcast, or performed live.
Can I join more than one PRO?
In the U.S., songwriters typically affiliate with one PRO at a time. Before joining, compare ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC to choose the best fit for your needs.
Is my PRO the same as my publisher?
No. A PRO collects public performance royalties, but it does not act as your publisher. Publishing administration can help collect additional publishing royalties your PRO does not collect.
Does a PRO collect mechanical royalties?
No. PROs collect performance royalties. Mechanical royalties are collected through other organizations, such as The MLC in the U.S., or through a publishing administrator.
Should I register my songs after joining a PRO?
Yes. Joining a PRO creates your account, but you still need to register your songs so the PRO knows who to pay and how ownership splits should be handled.
Can Symphonic register me as a songwriter with a PRO?
No. Only you can affiliate as a writer with a PRO. However, Symphonic Publishing Administration can help with publishing administration and royalty collection once your setup is in place.
