How to Register Songs with ASCAP or BMI: A Simple 2025 Guide

Most serious artists have thought about how to register songs with ASCAP. As an independent artist, understanding how to protect your music and earn royalties is essential. Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) ensure that songwriters and composers receive payment whenever their music is publicly performed. This guide simplifies the process, walking you through the straightforward steps to register your songs and start collecting the royalties you deserve.

Why Register Songs with ASCAP or BMI?

• Collect Performance Royalties: Get paid when your music is played on radio, streaming platforms, live venues, TV, and more.
  
• Establish Ownership: Registration helps prove your rights to your work.
  
• Global Reach: ASCAP and BMI work with international partners to collect royalties worldwide.
  

Both organizations are renowned and trusted: BMI represents over 1.4 million songwriters and publishers with more than 22 million musical works (BMI.com).

Join ASCAP or BMI

Before you can register your songs, you must join a PRO:

1. Visit their websites:
   • ASCAP
     
   • BMI
     
2. Choose your membership type: Both organizations offer memberships for Songwriters and Publishers.
   
3. Membership fees:
   • ASCAP charges a one-time fee for songwriters; for publishers, it’s typically around $50.
     
   • BMI offers free songwriter membership; publisher membership is more expensive (around $150 for individuals, $250 for corporations).
     

Pro Tip: In the U.S., you can only register songs with ASCAP OR BMI (one PRO) as a songwriter, so pick the one that fits your needs best. (We recommend local South Jersey/Philly artists partner with Lucid Media Publishing)

Register Your Songs

Once your membership is active:

1. Log in to your PRO account.
   
2. Find the song registration section (usually under “Works” or “Register a Work”).
   
3. Provide the necessary details:
   • Song title
     
   • Writer(s) and their ownership percentages
     
   • Publisher(s) information (if applicable)
     
   • Optional extras like recording details or metadata
     

Here’s where Lucid Media Publishing steps in:

Lucid Media is a registered publisher on both ASCAP and BMI and can act as your publishing partner. Through Lucid Media Publishing, we offer artists non-exclusive sync licensing deals, keeping you independent, retaining your ownership rights, and helping you earn from sync placements like film, TV, ads, and more. Click here to get started!

Leverage Lucid Media Publishing for Sync Deals

Here’s what Lucid Media Publishing brings to the table:

• Non-exclusive sync licensing: You retain control and ownership while we handle opportunities.
  
• Promotional support: Feature your music on Lucid Media Blog and socials.
  
• Sync prep: Assist with metadata, stems, instrumentals, and licensing formats.
  
• Representation: Pitch your tracks to music supervisors and negotiate fair sync fees.
  

Monitor Your Royalties

After registration and sync licensing:

• Track your earnings via the PRO’s dashboard. Royalty statements are typically issued quarterly.
  
• Ensure accuracy: Double-check song titles, writer splits, and publishers listed, especially if using Lucid Media Publishing as your registered publisher.
  
• Keep your catalog updated: Add new releases and metadata to stay sync-ready.
  

Final Thoughts

To register songs with ASCAP or BMI is a foundational step toward building a healthy, professional music career. Lucid Media Publishing can elevate your journey, handling publishing registration, sync licensing, and promotion, all while keeping you independent.

When it comes to how to register songs with BMI or ASCAP, get started today, register your works, align with Lucid Media Publishing, and let your music work for you!

For more helpful tips for local artists, especially those around the South Jersey/Philly area, make sure to check out the rest of our site and our pieces on 2025 Festivals for Emerging South Jersey Musicians, our piece on the new studio venue, Multi Spectrum Productions, or 14 Best New Jersey Record Labels. And as always…

STAY LUCID