SOCAN is always interested in letting our members, know about resources that can help you to learn, connect with each other, network with industry representatives, and otherwise develop your careers. In addition to the current information in our resource centre (found down the page here), there are several newish, free organizations/online platforms that might benefit you as well.
Namely,
- The DIT Music Community (DIT stands for “Do It Together,” as opposed to DIY, “Do It Yourself”)
- CMRCI, the Canadian Musician Royalty Collection Initiative
- CLIP, Creators Learn Intellectual Property
- musiccreator.ca
- Young Music Professionals (for industry representatives)
DIT Music Community
The DIT Music Community provides access to a wide range of resources and opportunities. It organizes workshops, masterclasses, and jam sessions where members can learn from experienced professionals and network with like-minded individuals, unlimited by any specific genre or style. Membership includes educational advice, blogs, videos, and articles; a weekly webinar and weekly music report; chats, conferences, and an online community feed, for collaboration and knowledge sharing; and both “discovery” and “members” sections online, to connect with fellow musicians, producers, and industry professionals. Explore DIT.
Canadian Musician Royalty Collection Initiative (CMRCI)
The Canadian Musician Royalty Collection Initiative (CMCRI) is a royalty guide, started by Canadian musicians, for Canadian musicians. It’s dedicated to providing resources to empower all Canadian musicians to receive the royalties to which they’re entitled. CMRCI provides video tutorials; a lengthy glossary that briefly explains terms and organizations related to royalty collection; an online “Music Royalties 101” course; a unique “royalty quiz” to determine how much you know, or need to find out; and live or online educational seminars for like-minded organizations. Explore the CMRCI.
Creators Learn Intellectual Property (CLIP)
ABBA songwriter member Björn Ulvaeus, producer-songwriter Max Martin, and songwriter Niclas Molinder teamed up with WIPO (the World Intellectual Property Organization) to create Creators Learn Intellectual Property (CLIP) a platform designed to educate songwriters. With thorough, even exhaustive information, CLIP lives up to its billing as offering “everything you need to know about your rights as a creator.” The sections on the online platform include the music industry ecosystem; recording; distribution and marketing; scope of protection; covers and derivative works; resolving disputes; songwriting; mixing and mastering; music creators’ rights; rights transfer and licensing; and getting credited and paid. Explore CLIP.
musicreator.ca
musiccreator.ca is a resource for Canadian composers, songwriters, and other originators of music, designed to equip emerging and established professionals with the knowledge they need to successfully navigate through a complex industry that’s in a constant state of change – due in large part to the rapid evolution of digital media consumption. Through immersive articles – grouped under the core topics of rights and revenue; deals and contracts; career management; and diversity, equity, and inclusion – the platform seeks to answer many common questions for music creators. There are also videos, other resources, and a unique “deal gauge” feature which screen composers can use to help evaluate their financial arrangements with employers. Explore musiccreator.ca.
Young Music Professionals (YMP)
An organization for music industry representatives (not musicians or singer-songwriters), Young Music Professionals (YMP) is a non-profit designed to nurture the future of Canada’s music industry. Its mission is to connect young professionals across the music industry with each other, and with industry veterans, for the exchange of ideas, resources, and mentorship; to empower young professionals on their career path; to create a clear, accessible, and supportive career pipeline within Canada’s music industry; to communicate opportunities and ideas from this network with the larger Canadian music industry; and to help develop the country’s music industry by laying the groundwork for tomorrow. Explore Young Music Professionals.