TUT-12
Music Publishing & PRO Rails•25 Minutes
Intermediate
Step-by-Step Songwriter & Publisher Registration with ASCAP / BMI
How to Claim Your 9-Digit IPI Number & Collect Global Public Performance Royalties
Why This Step Matters
Distributors DO NOT collect performance royalties. Joining a PRO ensures 50% of your royalty check isn't lost in the black box.
Required Prerequisites Before Starting
- Legal Name & SSN
- Relay Account 01 Banking Details
Step-by-Step Action Plan
1
Join ASCAP or BMI as a Writer
- •Complete online writer registration and connect Relay direct deposit.
2
Register Musical Works in Member Portal
- •Go to Works Registration -> Register New Work.
- •Add song title, songwriter IPI, split shares (100% total), and DistroKid ISRC.
Common Beginner Traps to Avoid
- ✕Registering stage names instead of legal names
- ✕Forgetting to register individual song titles
Verification Checklist
- ✓IPI number active in Musician Passport
- ✓All songs registered in PRO catalog