For indie musicians, getting paid for your music isn’t just about streams or ticket sales—it’s about making sure your songs are properly registered so you can collect royalties when they’re played live, on the radio, or even at your favorite coffee shop. That’s where Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) step in. If you’ve ever wondered about ASCAP, SOCAN, or BMI, this guide will help break it down.
What is a PRO?
A Performance Rights Organization is a group that makes sure songwriters, composers, and publishers get paid when their music is performed publicly. “Public performance” can mean radio airplay, a TV commercial, background music in a store, or a live show. Instead of chasing down every venue or broadcaster, PROs collect licensing fees from businesses, then distribute that money back to the creators.
The Big Players
ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
- Founded: 1914
- Where: U.S.
- Who they serve: Songwriters, composers, and publishers across all genres.
- Membership: One-time $50 fee for songwriters.
- Notable feature: Run by its members (it’s a non-profit).
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)
- Founded: 1939
- Where: U.S.
- Who they serve: Songwriters and publishers.
- Membership: Free for songwriters, fees apply for publishers.
- Notable feature: Known for being more indie-friendly early on and representing a wide range of genres.
SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada)
- Founded: 1990 (through a merger of two earlier Canadian groups)
- Where: Canada
- Who they serve: Canadian songwriters, composers, and publishers.
- Membership: Free to join.
- Notable feature: Covers both performance royalties and, through partnerships, reproduction royalties.
Why They Matter for Indie Musicians
Even if you’re not on the radio, PROs make sure you get paid for things you might not expect:
- Live gigs: Playing your own songs at a bar, café, or festival? You may be entitled to royalties.
- Streaming and radio: Internet and satellite radio stations report plays.
- TV and film: If your music is synced, PROs track usage.
For indie artists, these royalties can add up to an important income stream—especially when you’re touring or getting airplay on smaller stations.
How to Choose the Right One
- If you’re U.S.-based: You’ll likely join either ASCAP or BMI (you can only join one at a time). Both are reputable, so compare fee structures and payout schedules.
- If you’re Canada-based: SOCAN is the go-to choice.
- If you perform internationally: Many PROs have reciprocal agreements, so SOCAN members get royalties collected in the U.S. and vice versa.
Joining a PRO is one of the most important steps an indie musician can take to protect their rights and earn money from their songs. Whether you’re strumming in coffeehouses or landing syncs in indie films, these organizations make sure your work is valued wherever it’s heard.
Tip: Sign up early. The sooner you’re registered, the sooner you start collecting royalties that might otherwise slip away.