The 2026 Ultimate Release Checklist: 6 Steps to Collect 100% of Your Royalties

Most independent artists think that once their music is on Spotify via DistroKid or TuneCore, they are "all set."

They couldn't be more wrong.

By only using a distributor, you are likely leaving up to 50% of your revenue unclaimed. Royalties are spread across multiple agencies, and if you don't register with each one, that money eventually expires and goes into a "black box" that gets paid out to the biggest stars in the world instead of you.

Here is the literal, step-by-step guide to making sure you collect 100% of your royalties in 2026.

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Step 1: Lock in Your Splits (The Foundation)

Before you even think about uploading to a distributor, you must have a signed agreement on who owns what. Verbal agreements are not legally binding in the music industry.

• Action: Use SplitChord to create a digital split sheet.
• Why: If your song goes viral, you don't want to be arguing over percentages while your money sits in a frozen account.
• What you need: Name, Email, and Percentage (%) for every collaborator.
• The Result: A legally signed PDF that serves as the "Source of Truth" for every agency below.

Step 2: Digital Distribution (Master Royalties)

This is what most artists already know. You need a distributor to get your music onto Digital Service Providers (DSPs) like Spotify and Apple Music.

• Action: Upload to a distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, UnitedMasters, etc.).
• What they collect: The Master Recording Royalties (one half of the pie).
• Pro Tip: This generates your ISRC code (International Standard Recording Code). You will need this code for every other step.

Step 3: Register with a PRO (Performance Royalties)

Every time your song is played in a "public" setting—which includes Spotify, Radio, TV, or even a local coffee shop—it generates a Performance Royalty.

• Action: Join a Performance Rights Organization (ASCAP or BMI in the US, PRS in the UK, SOCAN in Canada).
• What they collect: The Performance share of the composition.
• Wait For: Your IPN/IPI Number. This is your unique identifier as a songwriter.
• Wait For: Your ISWC code (International Standard Musical Work Code), which identifies the composition (not the recording).

Step 4: Register with The MLC (Mechanical Royalties)

In the US, "Mechanical Royalties" for streaming are collected by The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective). Distributors do NOT collect this.

• Action: Register your songs directly with The MLC (free) or use a Publishing Administrator (like Songtrust or TuneCore Publishing) who will do it for a fee.
• What they collect: Mechanical Royalties from interactive streaming (Spotify/Apple Music).
• Important: If you aren't registered here, your mechanical royalties are sitting in the "Black Box."

Step 5: SoundExchange (Digital Performance)

This is for the recording side, but for "non-interactive" digital plays. This is separate from your PRO and your distributor.

• Action: Register with SoundExchange.
• What they collect: Royalties from Pandora, SiriusXM, and Web Radio.
• The Breakdown: They pay 50% to the Label (Master Owner), 45% to the Featured Artist, and 5% to non-featured musicians. Even if you are an independent artist, you must register as both the Rights Owner and the Performer to get the full 95%+.

Step 6: Content ID (YouTube & Socials)

Every time your music is used in a YouTube video, a TikTok, or an Instagram Reel, it should be generating money.

• Action: Opt-in to YouTube Content ID and Social Media Monetization through your distributor (Step 2).
• Why: This allows the systems to "fingerprint" your song and automatically place ads or collect revenue whenever someone else uses your music.

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Summary Checklist (The "Do This Now" List)

Order	Action Item	Agency / Tool	Frequency Stream
1	Sign Splits	SplitChord	Prevention of Loss
2	Distribute	DistroKid/TuneCore	Master Recording
3	PRO Registration	ASCAP / BMI	Performance (Composition)
4	The MLC	The MLC / Songtrust	Mechanical (Composition)
5	SoundExchange	SoundExchange	Digital Performance (Master)
6	Content ID	Distributor Add-on	Ad Revenue / Sync

Final Thought

The difference between a "hobby" and a "business" is registration. In 2026, the systems are automated, but they are not psychic. They only pay the people who have told the system who they are.

Get your splits signed on SplitChord today, and then get registered.