Royalties are where most independent artists lose money without realizing it — not because the money isn't owed, but because nobody is collecting it on their behalf. Here is the short version of how it actually works.
Mechanical royalties
These are paid whenever your composition is reproduced — a stream, a download, a physical copy. Streaming services pay these automatically, but only if your publishing is registered correctly with the right societies.
Performance royalties
These are paid when your song is performed publicly — played on radio, in a venue, on TV, or streamed. A Performing Rights Organization (PRO) collects these on your behalf, but you have to be registered with one for the money to reach you.
Why money goes unclaimed
Most unclaimed royalties happen because an artist released music through a distributor but never separately registered the publishing side. Distribution and publishing are two different jobs — a good platform handles both, under one roof, so nothing falls through the gap.
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