Music Publisher Jobs

About This Music Career

Acquiring song copyrights and publishing them is the main responsibility of the Music Publisher. This task can be performed in a variety of job situations including working within a music publishing company or working for a relatively small firm, performing a variety of functions. The individual can also become an Independent Music Publisher, running their own publishing firm.

Other responsibilities include obtaining music to be published. The Music Publisher must listen to demos that are sent or brought into the office in order to obtain music. He or she must also visit venues like clubs, showcases, and concerts in order to find new song material. The goal is to find hit songs, so the Publisher must decide which materials are good, and which are not. When a good song is found, the song's writer is given a contract. Once the contract is signed, the publisher has the rights to the song.

Then the Publisher is free to sell the song in as many ways as possible. This includes getting a group to record the song, having the song used for motion picture music, sheet music, etc. Really, every time that musical piece is used in any way, the Music Publisher will make money – this is the main goal.

This process as a whole is called “exploiting the work (or copyright).” The publisher should have contacts in the business including Recording Groups, Record Producers, Managers, Agents, etc. In hopes that they find someone to record the song, the Music Publisher tries to get as many people as possible to listen to the demo. Even if a song in the catalog has been recorded previously, the Publisher will try to get it recorded again, in an attempt to turn it into a standard that everyone will want to record.

The Music Publisher will also prepare printed music (sheet music, songbooks, etc.) and have it distributed. But, before this occurs, the publisher must make sure that the music is technically correct, and that it has been proofed, and printed. Before the record industry became the size it has become today, Music Publishers made most of their earnings publishing printed editions. Another important function of the Music Publisher is to file copyright forms on behalf of the song, because as the Publisher, he or she is responsible for ensuring there is no copyright infringement and/or unauthorized use of the material.

Sub-publishing is a common practice, which involves the Publisher publishing catalog music in other countries. This is done through a subsidiary of the Music Publisher who is located in a different country, or through a different publishing company in another country.

The Music Publisher is in charge of collecting fees for song usage, and may also collect fees or royalties from a variety of sources like performance fees from when the song is played on the radio or on TV, mechanical royalties from when the song is sold, printed edition royalties from songbooks and sheet music, synchronization fees if a song is played in a movie, and ancillary income from commercials, ads, toys, clothing, etc.

Like most in the industry, Publishers work under a great deal of pressure, as they are constantly trying to sell songs from their catalogs.

Salaries
Publisher incomes vary widely, depending on the songs the publisher has in his or her catalog, the size of the catalog, and how often songs are recorded, etc. Sometimes it only takes one hit song for a nice payout, but there are Music Publishers who never have a hit tune in their catalogs. The beauty of the situation is that a good song can really become a hit at any time, meaning luck plays a big part in finding a hit song sometimes. All things considered, Music Publishers' earnings can range from almost nothing to a million or more dollars a year.

Employment
Employment prospects for Music Publishers are fair - if an individual cannot find a job, it is not uncommon for him or her to become an independent Music Publisher. While not recommended, one can even enter the field without experience or knowledge of the industry. But, those seeking employment in established firms need to have extensive knowledge and experience in the business. Those with a good working knowledge of copyright laws may have a better chance of getting their foot in the door.

Advancement
More background experience helps you get started as a Publisher, and it helps you advance as a Publisher. Many people advance their careers by becoming independent Music Publishers or owners of large music publishing companies. Because it is difficult knowing which songs will turn into hit songs, there is difficulty in moving ahead in this field. It seems basic, but locating hit songs and acquiring the copyrights on them is the real key to advancement.

Education and Training

Education requirements vary for the Music Publisher position, but there does seem to be a correlation between the size of the firm and the educational requirements; meaning, the larger the firm, the more education that seems to be required. Some publishing companies require their Publishers to hold bachelor's degrees, while others don't care much about the education an individual has, just as long as he or she has had experience in the music industry and/or music publishing.

There are some colleges and music schools that formally offer music business or music merchandising as college majors. There are also a number of seminars given on the subject, most of which will prove helpful to the aspiring Music Publisher.

Experience, Skills, and Personality
A total, complete and thorough understanding of the music industry is needed by a Music Publisher. Having a list of contacts in the business is vita as well. He or she must have extensive knowledge of copyright laws and business in general. As mentioned, one of the most important qualifications a Publisher can have is the ability to hear a hit song before it ever becomes a hit. He or she must be aggressive, trying to sell a song and/or get appointments for the song to be listened to. The Music Publisher must be organized, and records must be kept accurately in order for songwriters to be paid properly.

Unions and Associations
Individuals in this field might also be associate members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which is the organization that gives out Grammy awards each year. Music Publishers may belong to the Music Publishers' Association of the U.S. (MPA) and/or the National Music Publishers' Association.

Suggestions for Getting Started