business-music_money_makeover/_subsections/music-production-company/v03-build-production-pt3.org

3.3 KiB

Start a Music Production Company: Build an LLC pt3

Notes

  • company structure setup for the ecosystem
  • you will start with one LLC and build three

preface

  • what you need to build the instrumentalist style production company

    • 3 LLCs
    • 3 EIN numbers
    • 2-3 bank accounts
    • accountant
    • corporate attorney
    • tax attorney

ultimate company setup

this will set you up for the quarter million club

  1. Operations LLC
  2. Record Label / Publishing Company
  3. Entertainment Company

operations company

  • leasing beats
  • beat sales

    • selling masters to record companies
  • producer royalties
  • extras

    • recording
    • mixing

record company / publishing company

  • beats you sold and own
  • holds ownership of master / publishing

    • record / streaming royalties
  • publishing DBA (doing business as)

    • publishing royalties (all revenue is passed through to a record company)
Publishing DBA
  • Doing Business As refers to an alternate business name under which a company operates, rather than using its legal name
  • used by songwriters, composers and independent music publishers who want to register under a specific business name for publishing rights and royalty collection instead of using their personal name or their company's formal legal name
Key reasons for using a Publishing DBA
  1. Brand identiy

    • operate under a distinct name
    • brand recognition
  2. PRO Registeration (Performance Rights Organization)

    • ASCAP BMI, SESAC require publishers to register under a unique publishing entity name to collect royalties
    • many independent songwriters use a DBA to create their own publshing company under a PRO
  3. Legal & Business Structure

    • allows someone to do business as teh same legal entity under a different name
    • used for sole properietorships or LLCs that need a distinct publishing identity
  4. Contracts & Licensing

    • can be used to sign contracts, license music and register copyrights under a professional name
How to Register a Publishing DBA
  1. check availability
  2. file with local government
  3. register with a PRO
  4. open a bank account
  5. copyright & licensing - use the DBA when

    • registering copyrights
    • sync licenses

      • use your music when paired with visual medium
    • sync mechanical rights

      • reproduce and distribute a song in physical or digital formats
Performance Rights Organization

collects and distributes performance royalties when the music is publicly performed

  1. collect royalties

    • radio
    • tv
    • streaming services
    • live venues
    • bars
    • clubs
    • public spaces
  2. distribute royalties

    • based on share of ownership in the song
  3. issue licenses to play copyrighted music

    • radio stations
    • streaming platforms
    • restaurants
    • event venues
  4. track music usage

    • radio
    • tv
    • live performances
    • digital streaming
    • background music in public places

entertainment company

  • place to handle everything for the road up to 50k a year

    • touring
    • merchandise
    • brand endorsements

      • sponsorships