How To Fill Out a Split Sheet: Step-by-Step Guide for Musicians

Anga Hackula
2 days ago
2 min read

If you're collaborating with other artists—whether producers, beatmakers, lyricists, or singers—splitting royalties fairly is one of the most important things you can do. Without a proper agreement in place, things can get messy fast. That’s why split sheets are a non-negotiable tool in every serious musician’s toolkit.

In this post, I’ll show you how to fill out a split sheet using the template available at https://www.musicbizbyskill.com/product-page/pubagreement. Plus, I’ll share a few insider tips to make sure your agreement is clear, SAMRO-friendly, and legally tight.

Download the Split Sheet Template

Before we start, make sure you’ve downloaded the template from my website:👉 https://www.musicbizbyskill.com/product-page/pubagreement

Once you’ve got it, you’ll find the split sheet section around page 15. Copy the content into a Google Doc—this makes it easy to edit and even easier to access later from your phone.

Step-by-Step: How To Fill It Out

Here’s how to complete the document in a clean, professional way:

1. Make a Copy in Google Docs

Instead of editing the template directly, paste it into a new Google Doc. This lets you keep a clean version handy and makes collaboration easier.

2. Edit the Highlighted Fields

All the fields you need to edit are highlighted. Just start from the top:

Date of Agreement (e.g., “4 May 2025”)
Contributor Name (e.g., “Joe Soap”)
Role (e.g., “Composer” or “Author” – not “Producer” as SAMRO doesn’t use that term)
ID Number (such as a South African ID or passport number)
CIS / IPI Number (you get this from SAMRO)
Ownership Share (e.g., 50%)

After filling in each section, remove the highlight using the formatting options.

3. Complete the Work Details

Under “Work Details,” include:

Song Title (e.g., Rubber Dub)
Artist Name (e.g., SkillMusicSA)
Creation Date (e.g., 30 April 2025)

You can delete or adjust anything that doesn’t apply, like ISWC codes or extra clauses.

4. Specify the Signing Location

Write in the location (e.g., “Roadhouse Rd, Randburg – Johannesburg”) and the date of signing.

5. Signatures

If only two contributors are involved, delete the extra signature rows. Each person should sign and date their section. You can do this manually or digitally.

Pro Tips for Using Split Sheets

Complete it right after a session. Memory fades fast. Fill it out while everyone’s present.
Use official SAMRO terminology like “Composer” or “Author.”
Save it to the cloud so you can access it from anywhere.
Share via Google Docs or PDF for easy digital signing.

📤 Share or Print

Once done:

Click File > Share in Google Docs
Rename the document (e.g., Split Sheet – Rubber Dub)
Share it via email or download it as a PDF for signing

🔗 Ready to Get Started?

Grab your split sheet and publisher agreement templates today:👉 https://www.musicbizbyskill.com/product-page/pubagreement

If you want to see a full walkthrough, check out the video tutorial on YouTube: “How to Fill Out a Music Split Sheet (Step-by-Step Guide)”

Got questions about split sheets or publishing? Drop a comment below or hit me up on social media. Don’t leave your music business to chance—protect your rights from day one.