PRO registration - Catch 22

[MattCurious]

Hi guys

As part of my ongoing professionalisation, I'm looking into PRO registration. It may just be a feature of the PRO concerned (PRS in the UK) but I was unable to access the application forms unless I could confirm (giving examples) that I had music being performed (including TV / film broadcast), which I don't yet.

This is obviously a bit of a Catch 22, as I understand part of the signing / placement process to be confirmation of PRO details. (It also adds a degree of professionalism to your metadata, in my view.)

I can join a US PRO provided I also post off a W8 form for tax, but I was hoping to avoid the extra time and admin.

Solutions welcome.

Cheers
Matt

[MattCurious]

Cheers, Paul. You're right - unfortunately, the next step of the registration process is the one where it says you have to have music being performed :-/

Maybe I'll just join a US PRO, instead!

[Len911]

I'm sending my songs to various record labels. Do I need to be a member of PRS or MCPS at this stage?

No. The time to consider PRS membership is when one of your songs has been broadcast, performed live, or played in public. Similarly you should consider MCPS membership when one of your songs has been released by a record company (other than your own).

[MattCurious]

Thanks, Len - but see above; the site also says you don't need to already have a deal to join. The information on the site is contradictory.