Split Sheet Best Practices
Why every songwriter needs to master the simple split sheet habit.
Do It In The Room
Fill out the split sheet while you're writing, not after. Memory fades fast. If three people co-wrote a chorus, capture who did what in real time — even a voice note is better than guessing six months later. Include full legal names, IPI numbers (if you have them), and PRO affiliations. This is the moment when everyone agrees on splits before ego or ambition muddles it.
Equal Splits Default
Absent a clear agreement, assume equal splits among all contributors. If four people wrote a song, that's 25% each. No arguments about "well, I came up with the hook" — that gets settled now or in writing beforehand. Unequal splits are fine if everyone agrees, but default to equal to avoid disputes.
Getting Signatures
Get every co-writer to sign the split sheet — or take a photo with everyone confirming the splits on camera. Physical or digital signature matters. Without signatures, disputes are nearly impossible to resolve. A simple Google Form where co-writers confirm their role and share is better than nothing; a signed PDF is gold.
Filing and Following Up
Keep the split sheet file organized. Name it \