Most independent artists are missing money — not because they aren't working, but because they don't see the full system. Streaming platforms don't pay everything. Distributors don't collect everything. And royalties don't move unless the right data exists in the right places. The Independent Artist's Royalty Playbook is a clear, practical guide to understanding where music money actually comes from, why it often goes unclaimed, and how independent artists can fix that without industry gatekeeping or hype. Inside, you'll learn: The difference between composition rights and master recording rights How publishing royalties really work — and why many artists never collect them What mechanical royalties are and how the MLC fits into the system The limits of distributors and what they do not collect How SoundExchange , PROs, and neighboring rights function Why royalties become "unmatched" — and what happens to that money How to build a complete royalty stack as an independent artist This is not a get-rich-quick guide. It's a visibility guide . If you understand the system, you stop guessing — and you stop leaving money behind.