Music Royalties Explained for Independent Artists
Mechanical, performance, streaming, sync — understand every royalty type and learn how to collect 100% of what you're owed.
If you've ever wondered why your streaming payout looks smaller than your friend's, the answer is almost always one of two things: where the streams happened, and which royalties you're actually collecting.
The four royalties every artist should know
Streaming royalties
Paid by DSPs like Spotify and Apple Music every time your track is played. Verse Tune passes 100% of these through to you, paid monthly.
Mechanical royalties
Generated whenever your composition is reproduced — including streams in the US. The MLC collects these for songwriters in the United States.
Performance royalties
Paid when your song is performed publicly — radio, restaurants, live venues. Collected via ASCAP, BMI, SESAC or your local PRO.
Sync royalties
Paid when your music is licensed for film, TV, ads, or games. Often the most lucrative single payment an indie artist receives.
How to collect everything you're owed
- Register every song with a PRO before release
- Register as a publisher with the MLC for US mechanicals
- Use a distributor like Verse Tune that keeps 0% of streaming royalties
- Pitch actively for sync placements — even one cue can change your year
"You are not just an artist. You are also a small publishing company. Treat it that way."