The first is described as an administrator. Usually, an individual or small company provides a service, for a small commission, to the songwriter by handling all aspects of the registration, licensing, and collection processes which I’ll outline later. However, they do not normally pay any advances (which I’ll also discuss later) and usually do not offer any creative services.

The next level of publishers is called ‘independents’, a category which includes my company, Asani Ali. An independent offers the same administration services as an administrator, but also provides creative services and some offers competitive advances to songwriters. Their client lists would usually be made up of mid-level artists plus talented songwriters and producers.

Most big stars like Jay Z and Eminem align themselves with the third type of publisher, called a major. Major publishers like Universal, Warner Chappell, Sony, BMG and EMI pay millions of dollars in advance to the songwriters and artists in order to maintain their market share.

On The Register

What does a music publisher do? What kind of royalties do songwriters earn? Please Click Here to read our Music Publishing Article. At Asani Ali, as a music publisher we are responsible for four basic areas of importance to a songwriter.

• Song Registration
• Song Licensing
• Royalty Collection
• Creative Matters

Let’s break those areas down. First off, it all begins with paperwork. The registration process can sometimes be a boring and tedious job that only a publisher could enjoy. During the initial song registration process, the publisher usually informs ASCAP, BMI, PRS, or the song writer’s Performance Rights Society about the new song and relays all the relevant information to them.

If you are a new artist or songwriter, we assist you with registering with a performance rights society. Performance Rights Society monitors, collects, and pays “Performance Royalties” to publishers and songwriters whenever the song is played on the radio or TV.

Licensing

Asani Ali is knowledgeable of new technology and the licensing of various revenue streams. Our team vigorously explores all areas so that we may maximize the exploitation of songs in our music catalog. Ways we exploit a song includes the following:

-Mechanical Licenses
-Ringtones
-Films
-Television
-Video Games
-Advertising
-Print

Royalty Collection

Song registration and licensing allows Asani Ali as your publisher to collect your proper amount of royalties from all sources. We’ve already discussed performance and mechanical royalties, but there is another royalty type called ‘synchronisation’ royalties. These usually occur as a one-off negotiated flat fee whenever music is ‘synchronised’ to a moving picture.

By way of example, sync fees are paid if your song is used in a movie, TV show, commercial or video game. As an experienced publisher, Asani Ali will negotiate the sync fees and issue the requisite licenses. (Future residual royalties are further paid by the performing rights societies for many sync rights.) At Asani Ali we work diligently to collect all these income streams from the various sources.

Song registration and licensing allows Asani Ali as your publisher to collect your proper amount of royalties from all sources. We’ve already discussed performance and mechanical royalties, but there is another royalty type called ‘synchronisation’ royalties. These usually occur as a one-off negotiated flat fee whenever music is ‘synchronised’ to a moving picture.

By way of example, sync fees are paid if your song is used in a movie, TV show, commercial or video game. As an experienced publisher, Asani Ali will negotiate the sync fees and issue the requisite licenses. (Future residual royalties are further paid by the performing rights societies for many sync rights.) At Asani Ali we work diligently to collect all these income streams from the various sources.

Creative Matters

Lastly, there is the fourth element: creative exploitation of the song. Publishers can often spend a large part of their time attempting to ‘pitch’ the song to advertising agencies, music supervisors who work in film and TV and video game producers. The creative energies of a publisher can bring untold new opportunities to songwriters both artistically and financially.

Do You Need A Publisher?

As a songwriter, how do you decide whether you need a publisher or not? I always tell my clients that if they are doing more work on the administration of their songs than on the creative process, then it might be time to relinquish some control of their catalogue to a publisher.

If you are serious about taking your career to the next level, I would suggest working with Asani Ali.  If you compare the issue to other business concepts like taking on a manager or finding a lawyer to work with, you will probably lean towards working with a publisher. And why not — you should be more focused on the creative process than anything else.

As a publisher, I get a large amount of unsolicited material into my office. Even if I do not think the material is right for our company, I listen to everything that comes my way. Songwriters often complain that they do not think the material they send gets heard. I can say from personal experience that it is just not true. Most good publishers are always on the lookout for the ‘next big thing,’ and we don’t know where it’s going to come from.

If you are interested in working with us, please email us at: asanialimusic@gmail.com or info@asaniali.com be sure to provide clear contact information so we can contact you.

CREATE GREAT MUSIC AND LEAVE THE REST TO US. WE HAVE YOU COVERED.