You do not need a famous hit to sell your catalog. Small and mid-sized catalogs change hands every week, and in some ways they are easier to sell than large ones.
What counts as a small catalog?
There is no official definition, but in practice many buyers consider catalogs earning up to a few thousand per month in net income as small. They might include independent artists, songwriters with a handful of placements, producers with royalty points or estates of lesser-known writers.
Who buys small catalogs?
- Specialist catalog funds and companies that aggregate many smaller catalogs.
- Independent publishers and labels looking to grow their repertoire in a genre.
- Private investors who see music royalties as an alternative asset.
- Online marketplaces that run auctions for royalty streams.
More potential buyers means more competition, which can push multiples up for smaller deals.
What drives the price?
The same factors as in any catalog, applied at smaller scale:
- Stable income over at least two or three years.
- Age of the songs that make the money.
- Diversification, so the catalog does not depend on one song.
- Clean rights and complete paperwork.
Newer catalogs with short histories usually get lower multiples, while stable, older catalogs can get considerably more. See How Much Is My Music Catalog Worth?.
Tips to get a better price
- Register every song and fix your metadata before going to market.
- Organize at least three years of statements.
- Compare several buyers instead of accepting the first offer.
- Consider selling a larger group of songs together, which can be more attractive than individual tracks.
Is it worth it?
For some artists, a small sale turns scattered royalties into meaningful capital to fund new music. For others, keeping the income is better. A quick, confidential valuation helps you decide. Start with our free catalog readiness check.