TAXI.com

Hi All,
so, following on from the advice I got recently from the forum. (Just for context I'm in the initial stages of all this)
I went to join my local PRO organization (APRA) in Australia.
It appears I need to have a placement before I can do this, I wonder if it's the same with the PRO organizations in the US, it seems precarious, bit like what comes first - the chicken or the egg. Anyway, I guess when I look like I'm close to getting a placement, I will tick the box saying I have sold some of my work for distribution to the public and hopefully I will get my PRO number in good time. Anyone else struggled with this? is this a thing when we're starting off, one of those conundrums you just have to somehow sort out?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Cheers ShaunS

I recall having my BMI number way before I ever got anything placed.

I'd check that again because you should have a number before you get placements. Your publisher/library is going to want that number right up front so they can get all your info added correctly before the song is used commercially.

I'm not from Australia myself, but there are other Taxi members who are. I'm hoping one of them will chime in here.

Hi Shaun;
2 cents from The Peanut Gallery... what I had to find out as a 'newbie', too;
(in your search for applicable PRO rules and protocol in Australia) - here in the US, at least with BMI:
1) I was able to get both a Member account number,
2) the all-important IPI number - which you will need to have when asked for it;

And when I asked BMI "When do I notify you to register a new work?"
The answer was, "When the work is released."

You might also want to be prepared to state who your publisher is: even if it's you;
as well as the author of the work (or, if you have co-writers' names/splits)

Hope that helps; good luck getting your PRO set up and ready to go.
Cheers, Peter.

Going off of what Telefunken said....

All you have to do is tell them you perform your songs live, AND/OR post them online and you're qualified as "streaming".

Get registered and get your IPI/CAE number

thanks people.
I think I get the drift.
Merry Christmas to you all from Down Under.
Cheers
ShaunS