Publishing Company or Self-Publishing: Which One Is Right for You?

Whether you are a professional composer/arranger or a performing musician who does some composing and arranging on the side, you want to get your music played. But how does one do that? You need a publisher! But there are different kinds of publishers. Do you want to persuade an established publisher to sell your music, or do you want to publish your music by yourself? Here are some thoughts to help you decide which kind of publishing is right for you.

What do publishing companies do?

A music publishing company takes care of the production, marketing, and distribution of a composer or arranger’s music. If there are copyright issues to sort out, usually the publisher takes care of that as well. In return, the publisher keeps a larger share of the earnings from sales, paying royalties to the composer/arranger. The publisher usually acquires the copyright of the work, or may acquire a license to sell the work from the composer/arranger. Performance royalties are split between the composer and the publisher.

Why would I want a publisher to sell my work?

The biggest benefit is that you will not have to manage marketing or any of the logistics involved in bringing music to the market. Larger publishers are often able to reach very large audiences. Relationships with publishers may bring your work more performance opportunities.

What is self-publishing?

Self-publishers manage the entire operation, including producing your own scores and parts, as well as letting the world know your work exists. You manage pricing, marketing, sales, and customer relations. If you write your own music, you can set up an account with a Performing Rights Organization, or PRO, such as ASCAP or BMI, and create your own publishing entity. PROs exist to create income for composers and arrangers from the performance of their music. Performing venues pay the PROs, and the PROs share that income with the composer/arranger and the publisher in the form of performance royalties. If you are both composer and publisher, you get all the performance royalties.

Why would I want to self-publish?

If you publish your own work, you retain all of the earnings from sales and performances. You have complete control over pricing and production. However, you will also have all the responsibility to engrave and market your work, taking time away from writing music. Another possible downside is that your work may not have the caché that a work published by an established publisher might have.

Who is the best candidate for selling their work through an established publisher?

If you are a composer or arranger with an established career, a relationship with a publisher can bring many benefits to you. Your work may become associated with a publisher with name recognition. Because the publisher takes care of all of the nuts and bolts of bringing your music to the marketplace, you will have more time to write music. If you write music for larger groups, or if your work is performed by professional ensembles, then working with a publishing house may be for you.

Who should self-publish?

If you write for smaller audiences and are willing to do the legwork to sell your music, you may benefit from publishing your own work. You will retain a larger portion of your earnings, and you have complete control of the method of distribution. If you are handy with social media and are willing to stay on top of it, you may be your own best publisher.

Can I do both?

Some composers use a hybrid approach. For works that have a larger appeal, they sell through established publishers. For niche works with smaller appeal or unusual ensembles, they sell through their own channels.

What’s another option?

Ascenda Music can help composers and arrangers who want to go either route. We are a music publisher that produces high quality publications in both digital and traditional paper formats. We sell using innovative marketing tools to reach potential customers wherever they are. 

For composers and arrangers who are capable engravers and who also manage their own publishing identities, our Ascenda Partners program offers marketing solutions through our Ascenda Partners program. Partners retain all of their copyright interests, meaning all performance royalties will go directly to the Partners. Because Ascenda’s cost to offer our Partners’ work is lower, you will keep a larger share of the sales price. 

What’s right for me?

When deciding which route is your best option, consider your time and skills. If you are an entrepreneur and don’t mind taking care of every aspect of bringing your music to the world, then self-publishing could be for you. 

If your time and talent are best spent in writing music, and you would rather leave the business part to the publisher, then your best bet may be to contact a publisher such as Ascenda Music. 

If you can produce your own sales-ready materials and want to retain your rights but prefer to leave the marketing to someone else, then engaging in a partnership such as the Ascenda Partners program is something to consider.