Tim,

I always use the phrase that "right around your second million sales" is when you should start thinking about joining a PRO. I make a joke because this always seems to be the thing everyone is most interested in and the reality is that ASCAP, BMI and SESAC are all trying to figure out how to stay relavant anymore in a world that has gone to "Free" music. It's kind of like "Which combination of chair setting do you like on the deck of the Titanic?"

The PRO's have a very important place in music trying to enforce something that in many ways has become unenforcable. Everyone involved in the music industry have been pleading the "There is a problem" case for some time, but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. I don't know what can be done about it now.

The best thing to do is make appointments at both (you have be invited to join SESAC) and meet with the writer reps and see what they say. Talk to members of each and see what they say about their experiences. Mine is ASCAP but I have met as many people unhappy with BMI as they are with ASCAP. The biggest complaint seems to be that no one will call back or answer any questions. And this is from people that have had number one records. Personally I think they just don't know what to say. They are simply not collecting as much money anymore.

As a writer, you can only affiliate with one. But you can have separate publishing companies with both. You are acting as your own publisher until you can get someone else to take over the job. Just think about all the personal appointments you have sitting down with major artists, producers, film directors, music directors, television producers and you can begin to see the advantages to owning your own publishing. Publishers spend their lives developing access to these people which is why most successful people give up the publishing to gain the access. Unfortuntately now even getting publishers to see you is a pretty tall order. Same problem. Can't collect on free.


I wish you a lot of luck in trying to find your way through this. Everyone is going through the same things. Maybe you will find some others that can give you a little more information to help you on your search. Most of it you are going to have to find out for yourself by going to the source.
Ask BMI and ASCAP. that is what they are there for.

MAB