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🎶 Independent Music Registration Roadmap Checklist

(For Solo South African Artist: Composer + Performer + Producer + Label Owner)

🟢 PHASE 1 — CORE LOCAL SETUP

Platform Purpose Action Notes
LANDR Distribute your music to streaming platforms Create account, upload mastered track, fill metadata, release Keep ISRC & UPC codes
SAMRO Collect performance royalties (composition) Register as Composer/Author, upload ID, register songs Get ISWC code for each song
CAPASSO Collect mechanical royalties (composition) Sign up as Composer/Publisher (self), link SAMRO, register songs Uses ISWC + streaming links
SAMPRA Collect neighbouring rights (recording) Register as Performer & Rights Holder, add ISRCs & release date Royalties when recordings are played

🌍 PHASE 2 — GLOBAL COLLECTION

Platform Purpose Action Notes
Songtrust Collect publishing royalties worldwide Create account, register songs (ISWC/ISRC), link CAPASSO/SAMRO Optional but powerful
SoundExchange Collect US digital performance royalties Sign up as Artist & Rights Owner, add ISRC & release info For Pandora, SiriusXM, etc.
YouTube Content ID Monetize your music on YouTube Ensure LANDR monetization enabled or register via Songtrust Captures ad revenue
Meta Rights Manager Monetize music on Facebook & Instagram Enable via LANDR or apply through Meta for Music Optional for viral exposure

💼 PHASE 3 — EXTRA OPPORTUNITIES

Option Purpose When to Consider
Join ASCAP/BMI/PRS Faster foreign royalty payouts After steady international plays
Sync Licensing (Songtradr, Artlist, Musicbed) Film, TV, ads, games placements When you have polished tracks
Bandcamp Sell music & merch directly to fans Anytime
SAMRO Live Performance Returns Earn royalties from gigs After every show

📊 PHASE 4 — ONGOING MANAGEMENT

Task Frequency Purpose
Update ISRC/ISWC spreadsheet Each release Keep metadata aligned
Register new songs (SAMRO/CAPASSO/SAMPRA) Each release Maintain royalty eligibility
Check royalty dashboards Quarterly Track payments
File live performance returns After gigs Earn from shows
Audit all accounts Annually Confirm contact & banking info

âś… QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY

Role Platform Royalty Type
Composer SAMRO Performance
Composer CAPASSO Mechanical
Performer / Producer SAMPRA Neighbouring
Distributor LANDR Sales / Streaming
Global Publisher Songtrust International Publishing
Performer (US) SoundExchange US Digital Performance
Video Monetization YouTube / Meta Rights Manager Online Ad Revenue

Excellent 👍 — here’s your complete step-by-step checklist for releasing and registering your music as an independent artist who does everything yourself.

This guide will make sure you earn every type of royalty you’re entitled to in South Africa and internationally.

🎵 INDEPENDENT MUSIC RELEASE CHECKLIST (SOUTH AFRICA)

STEP 1: Release Your Song

âś… Platform: LANDR

Purpose: Distribution (get your music onto Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.)

What to do:

  1. Create a LANDR account.

  2. Upload your final mastered song.

  3. Fill in metadata:

    • Song title
    • Artist name
    • Album name (if applicable)
    • Release date
    • Genre

  4. LANDR automatically assigns an ISRC code (unique ID for your recording).

  5. Release your track.

đź“Ž Save these details:

  • ISRC code (for SAMPRA)
  • UPC code (for album or single)
  • Release date

STEP 2: Register with SAMRO

âś… Platform: SAMRO

Purpose: Collect Performance Royalties (for when your composition is played on radio, TV, live venues, etc.)

What to do:

  1. Register as a Composer/Author Member (free).

  2. Submit your ID and proof of residence.

  3. Once accepted, log in to your SAMRO portal.

  4. Go to “Work Registration” → register your songs.

    • Include: song title, your name as composer, and duration.

  5. You’ll receive a Work Number (ISWC) after approval.

đź“Ž Keep this:

  • SAMRO Work Number (ISWC code)
  • Member number

STEP 3: Register with CAPASSO

âś… Platform: CAPASSO

Purpose: Collect Mechanical Royalties (streaming, downloads, reproductions of your composition)

What to do:

  1. Sign up as a Composer/Publisher.

    • If you don’t have a publisher, use “self-published”.

  2. Link your SAMRO details (they share song data).

  3. Register your songs — same titles as in SAMRO.

  4. Include: ISWC (from SAMRO), release date, and streaming links.

đź“Ž Keep this:

  • CAPASSO Work ID
  • Payment details confirmation

đź’ˇ CAPASSO collects from platforms like Spotify, Apple, YouTube, etc.

STEP 4: Register with SAMPRA

âś… Platform: SAMPRA

Purpose: Collect Neighbouring Rights Royalties (for performers & owners of the recording)

What to do:

  1. Register as a Performer and Rights Holder/Label Owner (you can be both).

  2. Submit your ID, banking info, and release details.

  3. Register your track(s):

    • ISRC (from LANDR)
    • Title, performer name, release date

  4. Indicate your role (main performer, producer, etc.)

đź“Ž Keep this:

  • SAMPRA track registration confirmation

STEP 5: Connect All the Dots

Make sure these match across all registrations:

Item From Used In
ISRC code LANDR SAMPRA
ISWC code SAMRO CAPASSO
Song title & artist name LANDR All three orgs
Release date LANDR SAMPRA, CAPASSO

STEP 6: Track Your Royalties

  • SAMRO: pays quarterly (Performance Royalties)
  • CAPASSO: pays quarterly (Mechanical Royalties)
  • SAMPRA: pays annually or semi-annually (Neighbouring Rights)
  • LANDR: pays streaming revenue monthly

💡 Tip: Create a spreadsheet to log your releases, ISRC/ISWC codes, and registration dates — it helps track everything easily.

STEP 7: (Optional but Recommended)

If you plan to sell your songs internationally, also consider:

  • SoundExchange (USA neighbouring rights)
  • Songtrust (global publishing collection)
  • YouTube Content ID (for monetizing uploads)

Would you like me to turn this checklist into a PDF guide (with links and blanks you can fill in for each song)? It’s useful to keep for every future release.

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