What Does a Music Publisher Do?

The music industry is a vast landscape filled with various players, each playing a crucial role in the creation, distribution, and promotion of music. One of the pivotal roles in this ecosystem is that of a music publisher. But what exactly does a music publisher do, and how can their responsibilities assist artists in reaching new audiences through platforms like TikTok and Reddit?

The Role of a Music Publisher

A music publisher is responsible for ensuring that songwriters and composers receive payment when their compositions are used commercially. This involves managing the different rights associated with a musical work and licensing these rights to users, such as recording artists, film makers, and commercial enterprises.

Music publishers also play a significant role in promoting an artist's work to create more opportunities for their music to be heard and monetized. They do this by pitching songs to recording artists and record labels, securing sync licenses for TV and film, and much more.

Revenue Streams Managed by a Music Publisher

There are several key revenue streams that a music publisher manages on behalf of songwriters and composers:

• Performance Royalties: Earned whenever a song is played publicly, whether on the radio, live performances, or streamed online.
• Mechanical Royalties: Generated from the sale or reproduction of a song in physical or digital formats.
• Sync Licensing Fees: Collected when a song is used in visual media such as movies, TV shows, or commercials.
• Print Music Royalties: Earned from the sale of sheet music.

The Rise of Digital Platforms: TikTok and Reddit

With the advent of digital platforms like TikTok and Reddit, the music industry has seen a paradigm shift in how music is consumed, promoted, and monetized. These platforms have empowered artists to reach global audiences swiftly and effectively.

TikTok: A Game Changer for Music Promotion

TikTok, the short-form video platform, has transformed into a powerful tool for music promotion. Songs can go viral overnight, thanks to engaging video content and challenges that encourage users to create their own videos using specific tracks. This organic spread can translate into substantial streams, downloads, and ultimately, revenue for artists.

Moreover, TikTok has introduced features like SoundOn that support emerging artists by distributing their music and providing insightful analytics to refine their promotional strategies. Signing up as a SoundOn artist can significantly enhance one's chances of being discovered by new fans and industry professionals. You can register as a SoundOn artist here.

Community-Driven Music Promotion on Reddit

Reddit acts as a community-driven platform where users can share and discuss music. Subreddits like r/Music, r/Listentothis, and r/Indieheads allow artists to share their latest tracks and gather feedback from a dedicated listener base.

On Reddit, music discussions can lead to increased exposure and organic growth. When users upvote posts and engage in conversations, it can boost the visibility of an artist's work on the platform. Moreover, threads discussing popular tracks can drive listeners to streaming platforms, increasing streams and royalties.

Why Music Sounds Louder When Published

There is a common observation by artists and listeners alike on platforms like Reddit that music often sounds louder when published. This effect is due to the mastering process. During mastering, the track's volume is optimized to standard loudness levels, ensuring that it sounds polished and consistent across various playback systems.

Moreover, digital platforms use loudness normalization during distribution. This means tracks are adjusted to a particular loudness level to provide a uniform listening experience. On TikTok, this ensures that all tracks sound balanced alongside user-generated content.

Conclusion

Music publishers play an indispensable role in managing the rights and revenue streams of songwriters and composers. In parallel, platforms like TikTok and Reddit have become crucial in modern music promotion, enabling artists to reach wider audiences and enhance their income streams. By understanding and leveraging these tools, artists can navigate the evolving music landscape more effectively.

If you're an artist looking to expand your reach, consider partnering with platforms like SoundOn for comprehensive marketing and distribution services.