Landing a music publishing deal is a major milestone for many songwriters, but not all contracts are created equal. From one-off agreements to long-term, exclusive relationships, it's essential to understand the differences.
by CountryDemoStudio Staff | August, 16, 2025.
There are many advantages to working with the publisher. The most important thing is that a publisher with strong industry connections can get your songs to artists, labels, and producers—opportunities you may never be able to achieve on your own. They can open doors you can't.
Publishers can act as a "trusted ear" that can give you trustworthy feedback, as well as helpful advice that can improve your songs.
A publisher can also connect you with co-writers, such as other professional songwriters on their roster, at different publishing companies, or with upcoming artists (these are your best chance of getting your song recorded, BTW).
Essentially, a publisher can take you from amateur to the "big leagues."
An obvious disadvantage is that, in most cases (but not always), the publisher will take the entirety of the publisher's share of your song's earnings.
When a song earns money, the income is typically split into two halves: the writer's share (50%) and the publisher's share (50%).
As a songwriter, when you write a song, you are also the publisher. You own both shares (50% writer + 50% publisher =100%). Therefore, you get one dollar for every dollar earned.
However, if you assign your publishing (sell or exchange for an advance) to a publisher, then, typically, they will get half of the income a song earns.
The writer's share (50%) always goes to the songwriter(s). The publisher's share (50%) goes to the music publisher. This means, for every dollar earned, fifty cents goes to the writer and fifty cents goes to the publisher.
As you're about to discover, there are many good reasons for relinquishing your publishing in exchange for the benefits that come with working with a publisher. One of the best ways to look at it is:
Let's break down the three most common types of songwriter-publisher contracts: single-song agreements, exclusive writer contracts, and co-publishing deals. Please note that this is just an overview. Each of these types of agreements is worthy of a dedicated article for a deep dive.
A single-song contract is precisely what it sounds like: a deal for one specific song.
How it works:
Why it's used:
⚠️ Important!: Read the reversion clause carefully, as it determines how and when you get the rights back if the publisher doesn't place the song.
This is a long-term contract in which you agree to write songs exclusively for that publisher during the term of the agreement.
Key details:
Pros:
Cons:
These deals are usually multi-year, with the publisher retaining the option to renew or cancel the agreement after the first year and each subsequent year.
Ensure you thoroughly understand the delivery commitment, royalty splits, and ownership terms before signing.
⚠️ Important!: The yearly quota is one of those "gotchas" that some songwriters might think is easy at first glance. A typical quota could be around 10 to 15 songs annually. What's important to understand here is that the quota refers to songs the writer has written entirely, which means the publisher will hold 100% ownership of the publishing rights. Keep these numbers in mind. However, most songs are co-written. So, if you write with another songwriter, you only own 50 percent of the song, meaning, 50% of the writer's share and 50% of the publisher's share. Regarding your quota with the publisher, if all your songs are 50-50 co-writes, you'll need to write twice as many—between 20 and 30—songs each year to meet the ownership value the publisher requires. But wait, there's more...You can't just produce any songs. Your quota actually means "accepted" songs that the publisher approves as having market potential. This helps prevent writers from producing poorly written songs simply to meet their quota.
Here are the main things you should know about a co-publishing agreement:
However, securing a co-publishing deal largely depends on a writer's clout and credibility, which are established by writing hits, collaborating with major artists, and other similar achievements.
Every publishing deal has benefits and tradeoffs. What matters most is how it aligns with your goals and creative freedom. Before signing:
👉 At Country Demo Studio, in addition to helping you create great music, we also want to help you navigate the business side. If you're pitching song demos in the hopes of securing a publishing deal, make sure your songs sound professional and are ready for industry ears. Scroll down to get started.