Guide
How can I get money for my song?
By the Sell Your Song team · Last updated:
You can get money for your song in three main ways: keep collecting its royalties over time, borrow against them with an advance or loan, or sell the song (or your share of it) for a lump sum now. Which is right depends on whether you'd rather have cash for your music today or a trickle of royalties for years to come.
Keep collecting royalties
This is the default. Your song keeps earning from streams, radio and other uses, and the money arrives in small amounts every month or quarter. You keep full ownership and any upside if the song takes off. The trade-off: the money is slow, it can go down as well as up, and you can't spend next year's royalties today.
Take an advance or a loan
Some distributors, labels and lenders will pay you money up front against your future royalties. You get cash sooner and usually keep owning the song. The trade-off: it has to be paid back, normally out of the royalties you'd otherwise receive, and it may tie you to a particular company or carry interest. We explain the difference in Can I finance my song?.
Get a lump sum for your royalties by selling
You can sell the song, or your share of its future royalties, for cash for your music now. There's nothing to repay. The trade-off: once it's sold, the future royalties on what you sold go to the buyer, including any growth.
How selling to Sell Your Song works
- Paste a Spotify link for a free, indicative valuation.
- Send us your royalty statements so we can see what the song really earns.
- We make a firm offer in writing. You can accept, ask questions or walk away.
- If you accept, you sign a written contract and we pay you.
Who selling suits
- People who want cash now rather than small payments over many years.
- People who prefer certainty — a fixed sum instead of royalties that may fall.
- Artists funding new music, equipment or a release.
- Anyone tidying up an old catalogue they no longer want to manage.
It doesn't suit everyone. If your song is growing fast or you don't need the money, keeping it may be better. See how much your song is worth and is it safe to sell your royalties?.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get paid for a song I've already released?
Yes. Released songs that earn royalties can be sold for a lump sum, or used to get an advance or loan.
What's the quickest way to get money from my music?
Selling or taking an advance both give you cash up front. Selling has nothing to repay; an advance is repaid from future royalties.
Do I lose my song if I sell it?
You lose the future royalties on the share you sell. You can still say you wrote it, and you can sell only part of your share.
Is there a cost to get an offer from you?
No. Valuations and offers are free, and you never pay us a fee to get one.
Do I have to accept an offer?
No. There's no obligation at any stage until you sign a contract.
How small can a song be?
We usually need a song to earn at least £100 a year in royalties before we can make an offer.
Sell Your Song is a trading name of Royalties Inc Ltd. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.