Putting out a cover song is a great way to connect with your fans and show off your own unique take on a classic. However, it’s important to follow the law to make sure you don’t break anyone’s copyright and to get the most earnings possible. Here are the steps you need to take to properly release a cover song and get paid for it:
- Get a license to work as a mechanic
Why It’s Important: A technical license lets you legally copy and share a cover song. This is needed for both digital files and streams and hard copies.
How to Get: Contact the Publisher: Find out who published the original song. The details for this can be found in databases such as BMI, ASCAP, or SESAC.
Use a Licensing Service: To get a musical license quickly and easily, use a licensing service such as Harry Fox Agency, Music Reports, or Easy Song Licensing.
Please pay the licensing fee: There is generally a fee for mechanical licenses, which is usually based on how many copies or streams are used.
- Record your cover
Why it’s important: Recording a good version of your cover song makes sure it meets standards in the business and hits home with your fans.
Steps to Take: Pick Out Your Recording Gear Choose whether you want to record at home or in a studio. Make sure you have all the tools and hardware you need.
- Make Sure Quality: To make a track that sounds professional, pay close attention to the vocals, the instruments, and the mixing.
- Get your cover song out there
Why It’s Important: Making sure your cover song gets to people and earns you rewards means distributing it correctly.
Here are the steps you need to take: – Choose a distributor: Use a service like [Armus Digital], [DistroKid], [TuneCore], or [CD Baby] to get your songs out there. You can get your music on these platforms and then sell it on big online stores and streaming services.
- Add Your Song: To share your cover song, make sure you follow the distributor’s instructions. Some vendors may need to see your mechanical license information, so make sure you have it on hand.
- Make sure your cover song is registered.
Why it’s important: registering your cover song with performance rights organizations (PROs) helps make sure you get the money you’re owed for payments.
Steps to Take: Sign up with PROs: Sign up with a PRO, such as SESAC, BMI, or ASCAP. This is a very important step if you want to get paid when your cover song is played on the radio, TV, or in a live show.
— Give Details About Your License: When you register, you should include information about your mechanical license and the source song to make sure that the right amount of royalties are given out.
- Keep an eye on and handle royalties
Why It’s Important: Keeping track of income helps you figure out how much money you’re making and makes sure you get paid correctly.
Here are the steps you need to take: – Use royalty tracking tools: Tons of wholesalers and PROs offer tools to help you keep track of royalties. Check these tools often to keep track of your earnings.
- • Statements for Review**: Pay close attention to royalty statements and make sure that all of your income is recorded properly. Please get in touch with your dealer or PRO if you find any problems.
6. Get the word out about your cover song
Promoting your cover song can help it get more plays, downloads, and sales, which is why it’s important.
What You Need to Do: – Use Social Media: Post your cover song on social media sites and interact with your followers.
- Make content that is interesting: To get more attention, use promotional campaigns, videos, and behind-the-scenes material.
- Reach Out to Music Blogs and Influencers: Ask music blogs and influencers to post your cover song and help it get more attention.
- Follow the laws about copyright
Why it’s important: Following copyright laws keeps you out of trouble with the law and shows respect for the rights of the original author.
What You Need to Do: – Avoid Unauthorized Use: Do not use protected content without the right permissions. This includes parts of the original recording, samples, or backing tracks.
Credit the Original Songwriter: Make sure you give credit to the original author and publisher as needed by the mechanical license.
Final Thoughts
To properly release a cover song, you need to get a mechanical license, record a high-quality version, distribute through trustworthy channels, register with PROs, keep an eye on royalties, promote your cover, and follow all copyright laws. When you follow these steps, you make sure you’re following the law and increase your chances of getting royalties. We at Armus Digital help artists with all the details of making cover songs and other music projects, including how to distribute their music and handle royalties.
This is about Armus Digital:
Armus Digital is a platform for distributing music that helps artists get their songs heard all over the world. It lets you quickly distribute your music to more than 150 platforms, get paid every month, protect your content, earn performance royalties, and use label services. The platform lets artists upload their music, choose which stores to distribute it in, give collaborators, and make UPC and ISRC codes. Armus Digital makes sure that music can be heard all over the world and is properly made money by forming agreements with many digital service providers.