In this blog, we will discuss the difference between ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC and their benefits.
If you are a composer, musician, or producer, it’s likely that you’re familiar with the value of public performance royalty payments. Every quarter, performance royalty cheques arrive in the mail, no matter how large or little. It’s as though time has stopped. It’s comfy because it’s known, reliable, and comfortable. These checks, on the other hand, do not arise from anywhere. They are the outcome of the work that any one of the three main Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) does daily to ensure that its members get compensated for the job they do.
All venues’ licenses to play music will be checked by the PRO. They will collect public performance royalties from all the venues, keep track of who hasn’t paid up, and then determine which composer, publisher, and songwriters will be compensated for each instance.
Going forward in this article, we will go through a brief introduction to ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. We will also learn which one shall you choose for a better future!
ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC
All PROs offer comparative features and services that guarantee all members are paid what they’re due. Picking which PRO to go with is an individual decision, so you’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons. There are various advantages that come with each service, similar to conferences, awards, workshops, partnerships, discounts, and so forth.
How about we dive into each one and see what the pros and cons are…
First Option: Choose ASCAP
The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of music composition and publishing.
The unusual thing about it is that it is totally managed by the composers, authors, and music publishers who are members of the organization’s board of directors. Both composers and publishers are required to pay $50 annual dues.
Benefits of ASCAP Music
Presently you might be asking yourself: ‘For what reason would it be a good idea for me to join ASCAP? How does ASCAP help artists?’ Well, the advantages it offers are:
- Membership discounts to the musician’s hall of fame.
- Membership in the USA Alliance Federal Credit Union.
- Discounts on dental, wellbeing, instruments, and life insurance through the MusicPro program.
- Discounts on the web devices of ASCAP. (Digital marketing, selling tools and more)
- Discounts on retail items and administration connected with music.
- Vehicle rental and inn discounts.
- Admittance to the yearly ‘ASCAP I Create Music Expo’.
Second Choice: BMI
BMI is a not-for-profit organization that represents more than 12 million musical compositions by more than 750,000 musicians.
For songwriters, membership is completely free. A $150 fee is charged to individuals and a $250 fee is charged to businesses that publish.
Benefits of BMI
There are extra advantages that BMI music publishing offers, including.
- Discounted registration for the billboard meeting was simply proposed to specific BMI affiliates.
- Discounted enrolment from LARAS.
- Exclusive discounts with NXNE.
- Admittance to Fan bridges.
- Exclusive discounts from Video Games Life for their specific LA show.
- Admittance to Musician’s Atlas.
- Discounted enrollment The Billboard visiting conference and awards.
- Admittance to Muzlink
- Admittance to the production marketplace.
- Musicians’ hall of fame.
Quick Comparison of ASCAP Vs BMI
They are quite similar, but the key difference between ASCAP and BMI is that BMI is completely free to join, while ASCAP charges a one-time fee of $50 to become a member. Now it’s up to you to decide which is better: BMI or ASCAP, and what the advantages and disadvantages are.
SESAC: Addressing the Elephant in the Room
SESAC is the only privately held for-profit corporation of the “Big Three” public relations firms. SESAC, which is based in Nashville, services about 400,000 musical compositions from more than 30,000 connected authors.
SESAC rewards its members in the same manner as BMI and ASCAP, with quarterly royalty payments. Members of SESAC, on the other hand, have the option of receiving monthly radio royalties’ payments as well.
Another significant distinction is that SESAC is not available to just anybody. Artists are asked to join in order to acquire membership. There is no charge to become a member of SESAC.
Benefits Of SESAC Music
The advantages that SESAC offers include.
- The choice to get month-to-month radio royalty payments (rather than the usual quarterly royalty payments).
- 10% discount at Sprint.
- 10% discount at Bertleemusic.com. · 15% rebate on the primary year of Songtrust.
- Discounted Nero Multimedia Suite 10.
- Discounts for air terminal parking.
- Discounted rate on CMA’s Sterling individual’s participation.
- Accessible 3-month free Musician Atlas online record.
- 20% markdown on the legacy learning system.
- Special 33% discount to the American lyricist magazine.
ASCAP Vs BMI Vs SESAC: Choosing the Best
As previously stated, SESAC is the sole for-profit organization, which means that the money they generate does not completely go back into the organization, as is the case with ASCAP and BMI, but rather is reinvested in the organization.
This might indicate that they are devoting fewer resources to enhancing their service and the overall industry for the benefit of their customers. It’s also considerably more difficult to join because it’s only open to those who have been invited.
Conclusion
Now you are familiar with each of the PROs, you ought to have the option to settle on a choice. It might in any case be a hard choice, yet everything relies upon your spending plan versus the advantages and availability. Toward the day’s end, it’s your own decision! Simply try to pick a pro and start collecting your royalties for your challenging work.
We hope your doubts regarding the differences between ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC are clear. Write in the comments how did you like this post? You can also pick audio production vs music production for yourself. If you find this blog helpful, you can read more about how to get an official channel on YouTube and the best music distribution services.
