Publishing House vs Record Label

The main difference between the two?

Publishing House = Song (composition rights)

• They protect, register, and monetise the song itself, no matter who records it.

Record Label = Recording (master rights)

• They invest in the performance and production of your music and market you as an artist.

What Publishing House do for an artist or songwriter?

A publishing house is like your lawyer and accountant for the song itself (lyrics, composition, melody).

This means:

1. Protects Your Songs: Registers your songs with SAMRO, CAPASSO, and other societies to secure your rights.

2. Collects Songwriting Royalties: Ensures you get paid mechanical and performance royalties when your songs are streamed, downloaded, or performed.

3. Licensing & Placements: Negotiates sync deals (Netflix, adverts, films) so your song earns extra money.

4. Tracks Music Globally: If your music is covered or remixed abroad, they make sure you still earn royalties.

5. Handles Paperwork: Prepares split sheets for co-writers to avoid disputes.

6. Works With Songwriters: Even if you’re not a performer, they connect you with artists who need songs.

7. Long-Term Income: Helps build a catalog that generates royalties for decades (even after your career ends).

What a Record Label actually do for an artist?

A record label acts like a business partner that invests in your music career.

This means:

1. Recording (Masters): Books studios, hires producers, and pays for professional recordings.

2. Working with Artists: Signs you, helps define your sound, and builds your creative team (engineers, stylists, vocal coaches).

3. Financing Production: Covers costs like studio time, mixing, mastering, music videos, and photo shoots. In return, they own or co-own the master recording.

4. Distributing the Music: Ensures your music is on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and radio.

5. Collecting Sales/Streaming Royalties: Receives royalties first, takes their share, and pays you your cut.

6. Branding & Marketing: Designs your album cover, runs ads, books interviews, and builds your image.

7. Touring & Promotion: Sponsors tours, books venues, and manages promotion (takes a share of tickets/merch).

8. Artist Management (sometimes): Guides your career strategy, negotiates contracts, and builds you into a brand.