PMApub Academy

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PMApub Academy

Free music business lessons for independent artists

Thirty practical lessons across ten modules: copyright and distribution, performance rights, mechanical and digital royalties, publishing, promotion, grants, crowdfunding, and building a business around your music. Every lesson is free to read. The interactive course adds quizzes, progress tracking, and downloadable templates.

Open the interactive course Artist how-to guides

Module 1Copyright & DSPs

  1. Songwriting vs. Master CopyrightsEvery song has two copyrights: the composition and the master. Learn what each covers, who owns it, and why you should never mix them up.
  2. The Role of DSPs & DistributorsLearn how streaming services (DSPs) and music distributors work together, what a distributor delivers, and how master royalties reach you.
  3. Essential Metadata for ReleasesLearn the metadata every release needs: legal songwriter names, ISRC and UPC codes, and publishing splits, so royalties find the right people.

Module 2Performance Rights (PROs)

  1. What is a PRO?A performing rights organization collects public performance royalties for songwriters. Learn what PROs do, how they differ, and how to join one.
  2. Demystifying Writer vs. Publisher SplitsPerformance royalties split into a writer share and a publisher share. Learn how each works and how independent songwriters can collect both.
  3. Registering Live Performances (Setlists)Playing your original songs live may earn performance royalties. Learn how setlist programs like ASCAP OnStage and BMI Live work and how to log gigs.

Module 3Mechanical Royalties (The MLC)

  1. Understanding The MLCLearn what The Mechanical Licensing Collective does, which royalties it collects, who should register, and how songwriters get paid for streams.
  2. What are Streaming Mechanical Royalties?Understand what streaming mechanical royalties are, why on-demand streams create them, how they differ from performance royalties, and who gets paid.
  3. Historical Accrued Mechanicals & Black BoxWhat black box and historical accrued mechanical royalties are, why they built up, and how songwriters can search for and claim unmatched works.

Module 4Non-Interactive Royalties

  1. What is SoundExchange?Learn what SoundExchange collects, which digital radio services pay it, and how independent artists register to claim master recording royalties.
  2. SoundExchange Splits: Rights Owner vs. PerformerSee how SoundExchange divides digital performance royalties between rights owner, featured artist, and non-featured performers, and what to register.
  3. Neighboring Rights & Global BroadcastsLearn what neighboring rights are, why many countries pay performers and master owners for radio play, and how US artists can collect abroad.

Module 5Chart Data & Publishing

  1. Luminate (SoundScan) & Mediabase ChartingLearn how Luminate (formerly SoundScan) and Mediabase track sales, streams and radio plays, and how to register your metadata so your releases can count.
  2. The Role of Publishing AdministratorsLearn what publishing administrators do, how they collect global songwriter royalties, typical fees to compare, and how to choose one.
  3. The Ultimate Royalties Setup ChecklistA step-by-step checklist for registering with your distributor, PRO, The MLC, SoundExchange, Luminate and a publishing administrator.

Module 6ReleaseReady: Profile & Pitching

  1. Creating a Professional ReleaseReady Artist ProfileBuild a complete artist profile with press photos, bio, social and streaming links so your pitches, EPK and release pages look professional.
  2. Creating and Structuring a High-Conversion Pitch CampaignLearn a simple three-part structure for music pitches to playlist curators, radio, blogs and funders: a hook, a stream link and ready-to-use assets.
  3. Understanding ReleaseReady Pitch AnalyticsLearn how to read open rates, link click rates and response rates from your music pitches, and what to change when a number looks weak.

Module 7ReleaseReady: Promo & Merch

  1. Launching Campaign Hub PromosLearn how to plan and launch a campaign promo hub for your release: goals, landing page elements, timing, fan actions, and how to measure what worked.
  2. Setting Up E-Commerce and Merchandise StoresSet up an artist merch store the practical way: choose products, compare print-on-demand and stock, price fairly, connect payments, and handle shipping.
  3. Branding Your Pages with Custom DomainsWhy artists should use a custom domain, how to choose and connect one, and what SSL and CDN delivery mean for your press kit and promo pages.

Module 8Music Funding: Grants

  1. Researching Art Grants and FellowshipsLearn how to find music grants and fellowships: types of funders, search methods, eligibility checks, and how to organize deadlines without wasting time.
  2. Writing a Winning Grant ProposalA practical guide to writing a grant proposal for a music project: narrative, measurable goals, a realistic budget, and a final review checklist.
  3. Creating Sponsorship ProposalsPitch brands the right way: understand what sponsors want, describe your audience honestly, define deliverables and pricing, and follow up professionally.

Module 9Music Funding: Crowdfunding & Equity

  1. Planning Your Crowdfunding CampaignA practical guide for independent artists to plan a crowdfunding campaign: goals, timeline, warm-up list, budget, and launch-day checklist.
  2. Creating High-Value Reward TiersLearn how independent artists can design crowdfunding reward tiers that fit different budgets, protect margins, and are realistic to deliver.
  3. Attracting Private Investment and Equity SplitsHow independent artists can become investment-ready, understand revenue and equity splits, and approach investors with legal care.

Module 10Business Credit & Growth

  1. Setting Up a Legal Entity and Business Credit ProfileLearn how musicians can separate personal and business finances with a legal entity, EIN, business bank account, and a growing business credit profile.
  2. Scaling Your Audience and Music Business ReinvestmentHow independent artists can reinvest revenue wisely, set a flexible budget split, and grow from solo creator to business manager with a team.
  3. Exit Strategies, Catalog Acquisition, and Estate PlanningUnderstand catalog sales, licensing buyouts, publishing share sales, and estate planning basics so your music assets are protected long term.