How does it help composers when you let them know about a performance?

One of my many (small) sources of income is performance royalties, which I receive through ASCAP in the form of royalty dividends and annual awards. But if ASCAP doesn’t know about my performance, my dividends and awards are smaller. (Sad face here.) So it’s up to performers and composers to provide that information to performing rights organizations.

It’s also valuable to have performance records for particular pieces of music. It helps me market my music well, and sometimes I use that information when I apply for grants.

Reporting a performance costs you nothing. Concert halls and universities already purchase annual blanket licenses (referred to as site licenses), which cover all performances which occur there. And schools and places of worship are exempt from paying performance royalties altogether.