April is Financial Literacy Month—a perfect time to reflect on the importance of understanding and managing your finances as a music creator. At The MLC, we’re committed to helping our Members not only receive the royalties they’ve earned but also gain the knowledge they need to take control of their financial futures.
Our Member Finance team helps creators access their royalties and ensures member accounts are set up correctly with the necessary financial and tax information, track down delayed royalties, and proactively reach out to rightsholders who haven’t yet connected with The MLC, but who have royalties waiting for them. Since 2021, we’ve helped more than 650 rightsholders become Members—unlocking over $3 million in previously unpaid royalties.
These success stories highlight why financial literacy and proactive account management are so important. If you’re not registered, or if your information isn’t current, you could miss out on royalties you've rightfully earned. But with the right tools, support, and planning, you can take control of your music business and maximize your earnings.
Navigating Your Finances as a Music Creator—Three Practical Steps:
When it comes to managing music income, knowledge is power. Here are a few practical steps to help you stay on top of your royalties:
Your music can earn royalties from several sources when it’s distributed digitally, and understanding how you get paid is a key part of managing your finances. At The MLC, we’ve created a digital royalties landscape to help you see which organizations you should be connected with—like The MLC, your PRO (performing rights organization), SoundExchange, and others.
Check out this video to learn more:
As a Member of The MLC, you have access to a powerful suite of tools designed to help you track your royalties and ensure you’re getting paid for the use of your music. Here’s how you can put these tools to work:
The MLC Member Portal also includes other helpful tools, like a Payment Summary feature that can help you identify trends in your earnings and compare your royalty payments over time. Utilizing these tools and information can help you better understand your earnings and make sure no money is left on the table.
Staying organized is crucial for self-administered songwriters who want to make sure they’re getting every penny they’ve earned. Start by using The MLC’s digital royalties landscape to identify the various organizations you may need to register with. Then, create a personal tracking document that lists each organization, your account numbers, and how often they issue royalty payments.
Set aside time on a quarterly or semi-annual basis to log into each account, review recent reports or payments, and confirm everything is in order. At least once a year, take the extra step to update your contact details, banking info, and tax forms. A little proactive maintenance ensures your royalties keep flowing without interruption.
Empowering You to Take Control
At The MLC, we believe that knowledge is the first step toward financial empowerment. We’re here to provide the tools, resources, and support you need to manage your music income with confidence.
If you haven’t already, we encourage you to:
If you have any questions or need assistance, our Support Team is here for you.
Let’s keep building a music industry where creators are not only heard—but paid, accurately and on time.