Module 1.1

A music catalogue is a comprehensive, organized collection of all your musical works. Think of it as the inventory of your creative output—every song you've written, recorded, or produced, along with all the important information about each track.

• •*Components of a Music Catalogue:**
• •*Your Catalogue Includes:**
• •All released songs and albums
• •Unreleased tracks and demos
• •Instrumental versions
• •Alternate versions and remixes
• •Live recordings
• •Collaborations and features
• •Production work for other artists
• •*For Each Track, You Document:**
• •Basic metadata (title, artist, album, duration)
• •Rights information (songwriters, publishers, ownership percentages)
• •Recording details (producer, studio, musicians)
• •Technical specifications (BPM, key, genre, mood)
• •Licensing status and availability
• •Registration information (ISRC codes, copyright registration)
• •Usage history and placements
• •*Why a Catalogue Matters:**
• •*Your Catalogue is Your Asset:**

In the music business, your catalogue is your inventory—it's what you sell, license, and monetize. A well-organized catalogue is essential for:

• •*1. Sync Licensing Opportunities:**

Music supervisors need specific information quickly. When they're searching for "upbeat indie rock, 120 BPM, guitar-driven, summer vibe," you need to be able to immediately provide matching tracks with all necessary details and clearances.

• •*2. Royalty Collection:**

Proper cataloguing ensures you:

• •Collect all royalties you're owed
• •Track where your music is being used
• •Identify missing or underpaid royalties
• •Maintain accurate split sheets
• •Properly register with PROs and collection societies
• •*3. Professional Presentation:**

When meeting with:

• •Record labels - They want to see your full body of work
• •Publishers - They need to assess your catalogue's value
• •Sync agents - They require organized, searchable catalogues
• •Managers - They need to understand your assets
• •*4. Business Management:**

Your catalogue helps you:

• •Track income by song or album
• •Identify your most valuable tracks
• •Make informed decisions about releases
• •Plan for future recordings
• •Manage your creative output strategically
• •*5. Legal Protection:**

A well-documented catalogue:

• •Proves ownership in disputes
• •Supports copyright claims
• •Documents collaboration agreements
• •Tracks licensing permissions
• •Maintains chain of title
• •*The Value of Your Catalogue:**
• •*Catalogue Value Grows Over Time:**

Unlike physical products, songs can generate income indefinitely through:

• •Streaming royalties
• •Radio airplay
• •Public performances
• •Sync licenses
• •Cover versions
• •Sample licenses
• •International uses
• •*Building Catalogue Value:**
• •Each new quality song increases your inventory
• •Older songs can find new life through placements
• •Catalogue depth attracts publishers and labels
• •Strong catalogues can be sold or used as collateral
• •*Common Catalogue Mistakes:**

Many artists lose money and opportunities by:

• •Not documenting ownership properly
• •Missing sync opportunities due to disorganization
• •Failing to register songs with PROs
• •Losing track of unreleased material
• •Not maintaining proper metadata
• •Neglecting older songs in their catalogue
• •Poor organization making pitching difficult
• •*Starting Your Catalogue Journey:**

Whether you have 3 songs or 300, start organizing them now. Every professional musician needs a proper catalogue, and the earlier you start, the easier it is to maintain. Your catalogue is your musical legacy and your business asset—treat it accordingly.