WingsOfAnAngel
Banned
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 3
First thing you need to do is affiliate yourself with ASCAP or BMI. These companies collect performance royalties for you and write you your checks.
Completing the application is pretty much self explanatory. You can affiliate as a publisher or writer, opt for publishing. The purpose of the form is to bounce the choice of name you submitted against their database. If you have a choice like 'T. E. Smith Music', it will have a hard time clearing. Be unique as possible with your choices, it will make the process smoother.
Cost: 5 weeks or more depending on your choice of names for ASCAP, 30 days for BMI, first timers can register online.
Once you get your name cleared, you will need to file a 'Fictitious name statement'. You can get this form from your local library or city clerk. After the form is filed, it submitted to the local newspaper. It lets the world know that you are doing business under that name. Now you're legit. Keep in mind the bigger the city the bigger the cost to get this done.
Cost: $10 - $50 for Notary, $10 - $150, and 2 to 4 weeks for newspaper posting to clear.
Once your form is signed by the local judge, use it to setup your banking account under your 'Fictitious Name'. Now you're able to cash checks.
Cost: $25 - $50, depending on bank policies
The next thing to do is register your songs with the Copyright Office. You will be using your 'Ficticous Name'. Register as a publisher. If you already have songs copyrighted, then have them transferred to your 'Fictitous Name' also. Now no one will be stupid to try to rip you off.
Cost: $30 per instance. You can catalogue your whole album in one instance.
Last thing to do is go back to ASCAP or BMI and register your songs with them. Now you're in the system. You can issue licenses to movie and record companies, negotiate deals and all that good stuff.
That was the easy part.......
Now is when talent, hard work, and promotion comes in. You got to be on top of your game. There are hundreds of thousand of people trying to do the same. You got to be consistantly hot
One person can do all of this, but its better as a group effort.
Getting setup will cost you from $150 to $500 depending on where you register. (Hint: register in a small town)
Completing the application is pretty much self explanatory. You can affiliate as a publisher or writer, opt for publishing. The purpose of the form is to bounce the choice of name you submitted against their database. If you have a choice like 'T. E. Smith Music', it will have a hard time clearing. Be unique as possible with your choices, it will make the process smoother.
Cost: 5 weeks or more depending on your choice of names for ASCAP, 30 days for BMI, first timers can register online.
Once you get your name cleared, you will need to file a 'Fictitious name statement'. You can get this form from your local library or city clerk. After the form is filed, it submitted to the local newspaper. It lets the world know that you are doing business under that name. Now you're legit. Keep in mind the bigger the city the bigger the cost to get this done.
Cost: $10 - $50 for Notary, $10 - $150, and 2 to 4 weeks for newspaper posting to clear.
Once your form is signed by the local judge, use it to setup your banking account under your 'Fictitious Name'. Now you're able to cash checks.
Cost: $25 - $50, depending on bank policies
The next thing to do is register your songs with the Copyright Office. You will be using your 'Ficticous Name'. Register as a publisher. If you already have songs copyrighted, then have them transferred to your 'Fictitous Name' also. Now no one will be stupid to try to rip you off.
Cost: $30 per instance. You can catalogue your whole album in one instance.
Last thing to do is go back to ASCAP or BMI and register your songs with them. Now you're in the system. You can issue licenses to movie and record companies, negotiate deals and all that good stuff.
That was the easy part.......
Now is when talent, hard work, and promotion comes in. You got to be on top of your game. There are hundreds of thousand of people trying to do the same. You got to be consistantly hot
One person can do all of this, but its better as a group effort.
Getting setup will cost you from $150 to $500 depending on where you register. (Hint: register in a small town)
