How to Register Your Music With a PRO in the UK

If you’re an independent artist in the UK, understanding how to properly register your music with the right organisations is one of the most important steps you can take for your career. Without registration, you’re leaving money on the table every time your song is streamed, played on the radio or performed live. That’s where Performance Rights Organisations (PROs) come in, specifically, PRS for Music and PPL, the two key players in the UK.

What Are PRS for Music and PPL?

Although they’re often mentioned together, PRS for Music and PPL handle two very different types of royalties.

PRS for Music (Performing Right Society) collects and distributes royalties for songwriters, composers, and publishers whenever their music is performed, broadcast, or streamed publicly.

PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) collects royalties for performers and recording rightsholders (usually the artist and the label) when a recording of their music is played publicly, such as on TV, radio, or in a shop.

In simple terms, PRS pays the songwriters, while PPL pays the performers and recording owners. If you write and perform your own songs, you should be registered with both.

Step 1: Register with PRS for Music

To join PRS, head to prsformusic.com and sign up as a writer member. The process is straightforward and can be done online. Once you’re approved, you’ll receive a membership number which allows you to start registering your songs.

Each time you release new music, you’ll need to submit details such as the song title, writer splits, publisher (if applicable), and ISWC code (a unique identifier for the composition). PRS uses this information to track when and where your music is played, ensuring you receive the correct royalties.

PRS collects royalties from a wide range of sources including:

• Radio and TV airplay

• Live performances (even small gigs and open mics)

• Streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube

• Public venues such as shops, gyms, and restaurants.

If you perform your own songs live, don’t forget to submit a setlist via the PRS portal after each gig; it’s one of the easiest ways to earn royalties that many artists overlook.

Step 2: Register with PPL

PPL membership is free and available at ppluk.com. When registering, you’ll choose between two roles: Performer (the person who performs on the recording) and Rights Holder (the person or company that owns the master recording). If you’re an independent artist who owns your masters, you’ll register under both categories.

To register a track, you’ll need to provide information such as:

• Track title and artist name

• ISRC code (the unique identifier for the recording)

• Details of who performed on the track and their contribution (e.g. lead vocals, drums, guitar).

Once registered, PPL ensures you’re paid whenever your recorded music is played on the radio, TV, or in a licensed venue. They also have reciprocal agreements with international collecting societies, so you can earn royalties from overseas airplay too.

Why You Need Both

Many new artists assume signing up for one is enough, but PRS and PPL pay for completely different rights. A single stream on Spotify, for example, generates two royalty types:

• Songwriting royalties (handled by PRS)

• Recording royalties (handled by PPL)

By registering with both, you’re making sure you receive every penny you’re entitled to. It’s common for artists to find unclaimed royalties sitting in the system simply because they never completed registration.

How Long Does It Take to Get Paid?

Royalty payments aren’t instant. PRS pays out quarterly, while PPL distributes payments up to four times a year, depending on the source of the royalties. It can take several months for your first payments to come through, especially for international royalties. However, once the system is in place, it becomes a steady and reliable source of income, even from older releases.

Protecting Your Future Earnings

Registering with PRS and PPL isn’t just about collecting income now, it’s about protecting your rights for the future. Music can continue generating royalties for decades, and having your work properly documented ensures your estate or beneficiaries can continue receiving payments long after your career ends.

Keep Your Admin Tight, and Your Royalties Tighter

In an era where streaming dominates and independent artists are their own managers, understanding your royalty structure is essential. Registering with PRS and PPL takes a little effort up front, but it’s one of the most important steps you can take to secure long-term earnings. The sooner you start tracking your music properly, the sooner your songs can start paying you back every time they’re played, performed or streamed around the world.