Should Indie Music Artists create a Music Publishing company before signing with a record label?

As an indie artist, I’ve often pondered the benefits of establishing my own music publishing company before signing with a record label. Music publishing involves managing the rights to your compositions, including licensing and royalty collection. By creating a publishing company, artists can retain control over their work and potentially increase their earnings.

Advantages of Starting a Music Publishing Company

One significant advantage is maintaining ownership of your music. This control allows you to make decisions about how and where your songs are used, ensuring they align with your artistic vision. Additionally, owning your publishing rights means you collect a larger share of royalties, which can be financially beneficial. For instance, Soundcharts highlights that self-publishing allows artists to retain full rights and profits from their work. 

Challenges to Consider

However, establishing a publishing company requires a solid understanding of the music industry’s legal and business aspects. It demands time and resources that might otherwise be spent on creative endeavors. Not every artist may feel equipped to handle these responsibilities. As noted by Nell Shaw Cohen, traditional publishing houses often have the capacity to manage tasks that individual composers might find challenging. 

Balancing Act

For some, partnering with an established publisher offers support in licensing, promotion, and royalty collection, allowing artists to focus more on their music. Others prefer the autonomy of self-publishing, embracing both the creative and business sides of their careers. As discussed in a Reddit thread, some musicians find value in setting up their own publishing companies to retain control, while acknowledging it requires significant effort and knowledge. 

Final Thoughts

Deciding whether to start a music publishing company before signing with a record label is a personal choice that depends on your career goals, knowledge of the industry, and willingness to manage the business aspects of your music. It’s essential to weigh the benefits of control and potential earnings against the challenges of managing publishing responsibilities. Consulting with industry professionals and reflecting on your long-term objectives can help you make an informed decision.