Making music is beautiful. It’s healing. It’s magical.

But if you ever want to scale your artistry, step beyond your bedroom, and be taken seriously as a professional — you have to understand the business side of music. There’s no way around it.

Because here’s the truth:

Not knowing how the industry works doesn’t just hold you back — it can actually hurt you.

You could sign the wrong contract, lose the rights to your own songs, or spend years building something that someone else ends up owning. And the worst part? Most of the time, artists don’t even realize it until it’s way too late.

But the flip side?

Knowing this stuff gives you power. It helps you protect your music, your voice, your future.

It’s not about being greedy or paranoid — it’s about honoring the art you’ve made and keeping control over where it goes.

So let’s talk about Music Business 101.

Your Song Is Your Baby — Own It!

Your song—melody, lyrics, all of it—is like your child. You created it and you deserve to keep it.
In the music world, owning your song means two things: composition rights (the blueprint — the lyrics and melody) and master rights (the actual recording people hear).
If you write and record your songs yourself, you likely own both, but you must make it official by registering your music with the right organizations. This legal protection keeps others from claiming your work or using it without permission.

PROs and Publishing — How You Actually Get Paid

When your song is played on the radio, a coffee shop, or even a YouTube video, you’re supposed to get paid.
This payment comes through Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)—think ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC in the U.S., SOCAN in Canada, PRS in the UK, and others worldwide.
Registering with a PRO as both a writer and publisher ensures you receive the full amount owed.
Register every song immediately after finishing it—before uploading, before playing live, even before sharing it with your dog. Unregistered songs mean lost money.

Splits and Contracts — Protect Your Partnerships

When you co-write a song, it’s crucial to agree on who owns what percentage—this is called a split sheet.
It might feel awkward, but a clear split sheet is the kindest way to avoid future drama. It’s about respect and clarity before any money or fame arrives.
Always read contracts carefully. Watch out for scary terms like “in perpetuity” or “exclusive rights,” which could trap you for life.
If a contract claims ownership of both your master recordings and publishing rights, that’s a major red flag—run, don’t walk.
Never sign in haste or because someone says “trust me.” When in doubt, get a music lawyer. It’s an investment that can save your career.

Distribution — Getting Your Music Out Into the World

To get your music on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and other platforms, you need a distributor.
Popular distributors include DistroKid (fast and affordable), CD Baby (one-time fee), TuneCore (more expensive but solid), and newer players like Amuse and UnitedMasters (free options but take a cut).
Most distributors don’t claim ownership—this is how it should be, but always read the fine print.
Beware of scams, like companies charging just to “pitch” your music to labels. Legit opportunities don’t work like that.

Streaming Reality Check — What the Money Really Looks Like

Streaming pays far less than most imagine. Around 1 million streams might earn about $3,000–$4,000, if you’re lucky.
This is why smart artists diversify income streams: live shows, merch, licensing for movies and games, Patreon, teaching, producing for others, and more.
The goal is financial freedom—to say yes or no to opportunities on your own terms.

Big Picture — Building Your Legacy

Don’t just chase viral hits. Think about your legacy and long-term control.
Owning your music means you decide where it goes, how it’s used, and who benefits.
Take Taylor Swift’s story: she didn’t own her masters early on, so she re-recorded her albums to take back control. This taught us all a powerful lesson about ownership and power.
You don’t have to be a superstar to apply this wisdom. Start smart. Protect your rights. Build your career your way.

If you take away just one thing from this: your song is your soul’s voice, your art’s heartbeat. Protect it fiercely by owning your rights, registering with PROs, using split sheets, reading contracts carefully, choosing the right distributor, and creating multiple income streams.

Your legacy doesn’t start when you blow up—it starts right now with every decision you make about your music.

If you found this helpful, please like, share, and subscribe for more music wisdom. Got questions or want me to dive deeper into any of these topics? Drop a comment or DM me on Instagram @tzayla.official — I love hearing from you.

Thanks for reading and Keep Dreaming Big!!

God Bless,