Many independent artists own both sides of their music: the masters (the recordings) and the publishing (the songs). That gives you options. You can sell both together, sell one and keep the other, or sell them to different buyers.
Selling both together
Pros: buyers can control all the rights to a song, which makes sync licensing easier and often increases what they are willing to pay. One negotiation, one closing.
Cons: you give up all your income at once and you have fewer options later.
Selling publishing first
Publishing is often seen as the more stable asset, because it earns from every version and every use of a song. It also tends to attract a wide range of buyers, from publishers to funds.
This route makes sense if you want to keep ownership of your recordings, for example to re-release, remaster or control how they are used.
Selling masters first
Masters can earn more from streaming, especially for artist-owned recordings, but their income depends on one specific recording. Selling masters first can make sense if your recordings earn much more than your songs, or if you want to keep your publishing as long-term income.
How to decide
Ask yourself:
- Which side earns more? Look at three years of statements for each.
- Which side is cleaner? The side with complete contracts and registrations is easier to sell quickly.
- What do you want to keep control of? Your songs, your recordings or neither?
- What do buyers want? Some buyers only buy publishing, others only masters. Testing the market tells you where the demand is.
A middle path
You can also sell a percentage of both sides, for example 50% of your masters and 50% of your publishing. You get liquidity, keep upside and keep a say in decisions.
Learn more in Masters vs Publishing: What You Can Sell, or book a confidential call and we will model the options with you.