Copyright Part 2 – Almost Everything I Know
Copyright Part 2. Copyright starts when you create, not when you register. Once your song is original and exists in a tangible form, like a recording, lead sheet, or lyrics, it’s automatically protected under international law (thanks to the Berne Convention). You own complete rights: to copy, adapt, perform, license, and sell your work, and even moral rights, such as being credited. Knowing how to manage, trade, or assign these rights, through publishers or with legal help, turns your creative work into a protectable asset.
Copyright Part 1 – Almost Everything I Know
Copyright part 1. Copyright isn’t new. It’s been defended since the 1800s. From Victor Hugo’s push for creator rights to the Berne Convention of 1886, we trace the roots of international copyright. Learn how the U.S. dragged its feet, took centuries to join, and eventually matched global standards through TRIPS. Discover why creators now control rights automatically – and how long they last after you’re gone.
What Is Publishing?
When you write a song, you own its copyright, and publishing turns that ownership into income. Publishing is the process of licensing, registering, and collecting royalties whenever your composition is used. Music publishing ensures that songwriters get paid for covers, performances, streams, sync placements, and more. Follow the legal path, protect your rights, and earn every penny your songs generate.
Become A Professional Musician
As a professional musician, do want a music career that lasts? Start by becoming success-minded – not just by doing things. Build your mental foundation first. Expect more from yourself. Demand steady progress. Cultivate fire in your vision and align your mindset with your goals. Then add structure: set clear expectations, surround yourself with driven peers, and seek mentorship. Real growth as a professional musician begins inside – and then makes its mark outward.
The MP3 Problem
MP3 makes music easy to share, but that ease has a cost. Compression reduces file size by up to 90%, but files and streaming exploded peer-to-peer sharing and piracy. Record labels lost control as listeners freely distributed tracks. Now artists, distributors, and governments fight for revenue, rights, and creative diversity in a digital age.
So You Want Your Song Played On Radio
Think radio will be your shortcut to stardom? Think again. Big radio stations today are consolidated, network-driven, and play it safe. Local shows are rare. Want real airplay? Research small stations and niche DJs who still play new music. Make genuine connections, send a thoughtful email, follow up respectfully, and be memorable. Expect slow wins, not instant fame, and treat radio play as part of a smarter strategy, not the goal itself.
Music Business Scams
Protect your music, and your wallet. Scam artists thrive in the music biz, offering “opportunities” to co-write, enter contests, or pitch your songs… all for a fee. Most of these schemes are legal, cunning, and prey on hopeful creators. Remember: if your music is strong, people will pay you, not the other way around. Stay savvy. Research before you pay. Avoid costly traps like fake contests, paid placements, or mystery collaborations.
Use your art and common sense to build, not buy, your future in music.
Surviving A Music Business Recession
Recession doesn’t kill music careers. Smart strategy does. Spot the signs, like drops in sales, smaller crowds, and tightened budgets across labels and venues. Your three survival tools: 1. Build a standout product, something catchy, sharp, and different. 2. Own your fans, connect directly and keep your momentum steady. 3. Stay flexible, pivot plans, DIY when needed, and adapt fast.
5 Tips For Successful Band Promotion
On the face of it, successful band promotion is pretty straightforward. Get heard, get remembered. Well, smart promotion starts here. Follow what works – scan the scene and copy successful strategies. Learn the industry – know how A&R, DJs, press, promoters, and venues operate. Network intentionally with local tastemakers, music media, and scene officials. Build your fan base with a mailing list – online and at shows. Be visible everywhere: gigs, website, socials, videos – blend online reach with real-world buzz.
Make Labels Come To YOU!
Make them chase you, don’t chase them. Labels aren’t listening to every demo. They’ll show up only when your fanbase, sales, or hype make it impossible to ignore. Crowd your shows. Sell your own music. Build real buzz. Achieve that and labels will approach you, with interest, not indifference. You’re not begging. You’re being found.