Royalty setup guide for independent songwriters and artists
Get set up to collect — yourself, on the free official paths.
Royalty Ready walks you through joining The MLC, affiliating as a writer with ASCAP or BMI, and registering with SoundExchange — then registering your works. You create every account and file every registration yourself. We give you the steps, checklists, and official links. We do not file for you, collect royalties, or take a cut of anything you earn.
You file on official society sites · Not a publisher, admin, or law firm · We never handle your money · Test-mode checkout live on preview
Setup status: 4 lanes
Official join → you create the accountSTEP 1
Membership + work registrationSTEP 2
Featured artist / rights owner as applicableSTEP 3
Per-release checklist after accounts existSTEP 4
File for you · collect · take a %OUT OF SCOPE
Why setup matters
Many writers never finish the free official paths.
Mechanical, performance, and digital-performance royalties are different pots. If you never join The MLC, a PRO as a writer, or SoundExchange — or never register your works — those payments have nowhere to go. This product teaches the self-serve path. It does not chase unmatched money or estimate what you're owed.
SOURCED: The MLC, Market Share distributions
April 2027 is a setup deadline, not a recovery campaign.
The MLC will begin distributing remaining unmatched 2021 blanket royalties by market share in April 2027. Finishing your own registrations and matching is how you stay on the path those societies already offer. We mention it only as education.
See pricingHow it works
Pick a lane. Join. Register. You file everything.
Songwriter, artist, or both
We explain why mechanical (MLC), performance (PRO), and digital performance (SoundExchange) are different pots — education only.
Official sites only
Step-by-step links to ASCAP or BMI (writer), The MLC, and SoundExchange. You create every account. We never log in for you.
Works checklist
After accounts exist, a per-release checklist for PRO works, MLC works, ISRCs, and SoundExchange repertoire as applicable.
Free checklist
The same four lanes, no account required to read.
Start here. Upgrade only if you want the guided kit or ongoing reminders.
PRO writer — ASCAP or BMI
Affiliate as a writer on the official site. Writer paths are typically free or low-fee; always confirm current fees on ASCAP/BMI before you join.
The MLC
Join as a member (qualifying writers: membership is free per The MLC) and register or match your works for mechanical royalties.
SoundExchange
Register as featured artist / rights owner as applicable for qualifying digital performances.
Register / match each release
Confirm PRO work, MLC work, ISRC, and SoundExchange repertoire rows for every release you care about.
Societies set eligibility and fees. This is a guide, not legal advice and not a promise of royalties.
Pricing
Choose one-time or monthly. Either way, you keep every royalty.
Software and education only. No success fee. No percentage of royalties. No publishing admin. Visitors pick the plan that fits.
- The same four setup lanes in order
- Official links only
- No account required to read the overview
- Step-by-step setup for The MLC, ASCAP or BMI (writer), and SoundExchange
- Work-registration checklist after your accounts exist
- Direct links to official join and registration pages
- Printable / saveable progress checklist
- Email reminders you can turn off
Cancel anytime · optional yearly twin later ($99/yr proposed)
- Full Royalty Ready setup guide
- Living checklist status for setup steps and releases you add
- Email reminders for unfinished steps
- Guide updates when official help pages change (we refresh; you still confirm)
- No royalty percentage, ever
Under the cards: Societies set their own eligibility and fees. Writer affiliation and MLC membership are free or low-cost on the paths we point to; always confirm on the official site before you join. Full pricing details & FAQ →
Trust
Guides may use AI. You still file everything.
Written guides and checklists may be drafted with AI assistance and checked against official society help pages. There is no human review of your catalog as part of this product. You remain responsible for what you file. We never handle your money.
What we are not
- Not a publisher. We never own or co-own your songs.
- Not an administrator. Societies keep paying you directly.
- Not a recovery or claim service. We don't chase unmatched pools.
- Not a law firm. Nothing here is legal advice.
- Not a cut of royalties. No success fee, ever.
FAQ
Questions artists ask first
Are you a publisher or administrator?
No. We never take your rights, never sign you to an admin deal, and never receive or hold your money. Societies pay you directly. We sell a guide and checklist. You complete every signup and registration yourself on official sites.
Do you file registrations for me?
No. Every account you open and every work you register is done by you at The MLC, ASCAP or BMI, SoundExchange, and any other official organization. We provide steps and links only.
Do you take a percentage of my royalties?
No. There is no success fee and no cut of future royalties. You pay the listed product price only ($49 one-time or $12/mo, depending on the offer). Checkout opens Stripe in a new tab (sandbox/test mode on this preview).
Will you tell me how much I'm owed?
No. We do not estimate unpaid royalties or chase unmatched pools. If you want dollar figures, use your society statements and, if needed, a qualified professional.
What if I already use Songtrust / TuneCore Publishing / another admin?
That's fine. Those services collect and administer for a fee plus a royalty percentage. This product is the self-serve education path. We don't tell you which to choose; we explain what the free official paths involve.
Is this legal advice?
No. Nothing on the site is legal, tax, or financial advice. Eligibility and fees are set by each organization — always read their current pages before you join.
Who does the work behind the product?
Written guides and checklists may be drafted with AI assistance and checked against official society help pages. There is no human review of your catalog as part of this product. You remain responsible for what you file.
What's the MLC April 2027 note about?
The MLC has said it will begin distributing remaining unmatched 2021 blanket royalties by market share starting April 2027. We mention that only as a reason to finish your own registrations and matching — not as a recovery campaign. Source: The MLC market-share page.
What do you need from me?
An email to deliver the kit or membership when ready. Optional: role (songwriter / artist / both) and rough catalog size so the checklist order fits. We do not need society passwords or statement uploads for the MVP guide.
Buy or stay in touch
Get Royalty Ready
Checkout is live in Stripe test mode on this preview. Buy the kit or membership below, or leave your email if you want updates. After a successful kit payment, Stripe should send you to the kit hub.
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Got it
Thanks — we have your note.
You can still buy anytime from the pricing section. No audit, no recovery pitch.