How to Start Your Own Publishing Company

This short guide outlines a simple, practical path to starting your own music publishing imprint. Many composers do this eventually, often later than they should.

Step 1: Name It.

Your publishing company needs a name. This becomes your imprint—the identity under which your music is released.

Keep it simple and memorable. People need to be able to find it, or find you.
Avoid names already used by other publishers. You should check ASCAP and BMI's repertoire to search for possible publishers.
Think about how it will look on a score cover.

Example: “Prairie Sound Press” or “North Winds Publishing”

Step 2: Start Simple

(You don’t need an LLC yet, if ever)

At the beginning, your “publishing company” can simply be a name you use consistently.

You can publish scores under your own name
You can add a subtitle like “Published by [Your Press Name]”
You do not need to file anything to get started

Legal structures (LLC, DBA, etc.) become useful once money, collaborators, or scale are involved.

Step 3: Prepare Your First Publication

Score

Clean, readable engraving.
Consistent formatting.
Title page with composer and instrumentation.
There are formatting resources available under the Music Publishing class.

Front Matter

Program note
Composer bio
Performance notes (if needed)

Step 4: Add a Copyright Line

Add this to the bottom of your score:

Kyle Vanderburg's publishing copyright line:

Step 5: Distribute Your Work

Distribution doesn't have to be complicated. The goal is simple: make your music accessible. There are many options, including:

Send PDFs directly to performers.
Host files on your personal website.
Use platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Use music self-publishers like ArrangeMe, JWPepper's MyScore, or Universal Edition's Scodo.
Distribute through Fargo Composers Press.

Step 6: When to Formalize

Consider a DBA (Doing Business As)

If you want to operate under a business name and accept payments professionally.

Consider an LLC (Limited Liability Company)

If you are working with others, selling regularly, or want liability protection. (You probably don't need this.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Waiting until everything is “perfect” before publishing
Using inconsistent formatting across scores
Not including a copyright statement
Letting completed works sit without distribution

Final Thought

A publishing company is not a building or a legal document—it is a decision. When you prepare your work, label it, and share it with others, you are already publishing.