Publishing deals sit on a spectrum from pure administration to full creative partnership. The deal you sign determines how much of your income you keep, what rights you give up, and what the publisher is actually obliged to do for you.
Self-publishing
When you self-publish, you maintain direct ownership and control of your publishing copyrights. You join PRS for performing rights and MCPS for mechanical rights, and handle all aspects of your catalogue yourself – registration, data management, international collection, and any exploitation.
Self-publishing requires managing your own registrations with societies worldwide. Without registrations in the relevant territories, royalties go uncollected. It also requires accurate data management: correct registration details, documented co-writer splits, and recordings matched to compositions through ISWC and ISRC codes.
Beyond collective licensing through PRS and MCPS, several revenue streams require direct action – sync licensing, direct mechanical deals with digital services, and print music all need individual negotiation.
Self-publishing suits writers with limited commercial activity, those who primarily write for their own projects, or those who want to understand the business before committing to a partner. It becomes difficult to sustain when international usage increases or when administration time cuts into writing. Keeping 100% of your publishing income only helps if you are collecting all of it.
Publishing administration
Publishing administrators handle the business side of your catalogue while you retain ownership and creative control. They register songs globally, collect royalties, manage data, and ensure you receive all income due.
A publishing administrator will typically register your works with collecting societies in over 100 territories, manage international tax treaties and currency conversions, match recordings to compositions for mechanical royalty collection, pursue black box recoveries, audit royalty statements, and handle direct licensing where collective licensing does not apply.
Administration does not include creative services. Administrators will not arrange co-writing sessions, pitch songs for covers, or actively pursue sync placements. They collect from exploitation that is already happening rather than creating new opportunities.
Most administrators charge a commission on collected royalties (typically 10-20%) without taking ownership or offering advances. This model works for writers who want professional administration while maintaining independence.
Admin+
Some companies offer services beyond basic administration without providing full publisher support – sync representation, playlist pitching, or basic promotional services. The specific extras vary significantly between companies. Some offer genuinely useful additions; others amount to better reporting dashboards. If you are evaluating an admin+ deal, ask specifically what the “plus” includes and how actively those services are delivered.
Commission rates typically fall between pure admin and full-service deals.
Full-service publishing
Full-service publishers provide creative development, administration, and commercial exploitation. They actively work to develop your career and create new opportunities for your music.
Creative services include A&R support and feedback, co-writing facilitation, connections with producers and artists, and writing camps. Commercial teams handle sync through dedicated departments, pitch songs for cover recordings, manage sample clearances, and develop strategic marketing campaigns.
Full-service publishers typically offer advances against future publishing earnings, allowing writers to focus on creative work. They share in ownership of your publishing rights, usually taking 20-50% of publishing income in exchange for their services, expertise, and investment. Your writer’s share of PRS income (at least 50%) always flows directly to you regardless of the deal structure.
The relationship depends heavily on the specific people you work with. A committed individual at a smaller company can achieve more than being one name among thousands at a major. If possible, meet the actual team who will handle your catalogue day to day.
Moving between models
Writers often progress through different levels as their careers develop. Some begin self-published, move to administration as their catalogue grows, and sign with a full-service publisher when they are ready for major creative investment. Others find their model early and stay with it.
