Calculating Sales...

[klooptheloop]

I bet he does

[admin]

Hehe ya, well I think in many cases DJ's (running labels) dont make the best businessmen so beware..

[klooptheloop]

ok grand, i'll have a little ask around so

[djglenn]

Given everything said, if you end up having a dispute with a label, you think sites like beatport would send you a copy of your sales figures if you politely ask and give proof of who you are? (minus a legal suit and court order)

Kind of makes you wonder if some labels skim a sale or two off the top of each artist. Given enough releases, it could add up. Easy to change excel.

[sven hauck]

Given everything said, if you end up having a dispute with a label, you think sites like beatport would send you a copy of your sales figures if you politely ask and give proof of who you are? (minus a legal suit and court order)

Kind of makes you wonder if some labels skim a sale or two off the top of each artist. Given enough releases, it could add up. Easy to change excel.

Totally. It is wide open for that.

[djglenn]

I doubt reputable labels would do it. The risk isn't worth the cash. They'd be making far more money on the tracks themselves and promise of future track $$. Something like that could destroy the label. But....the smaller labels....that's another story. And especially with things being international. What could you do if you found out a record label owner from Belize was scamming you? Short of posting about it on every internet forum in the world (which would certainly help some), nothing.

Back to the original post....

I would definitely request a copy of your earning statement(s). There appears to be a lot of work involved putting them together: every track downloaded, from every store, with every price, minus any 'returns' (which I'm still not sure how that works for digital distribution)....so if they aren't already giving them to you, as you've said, then it may be like pulling teeth to get them.

[admin]

Yes since there is no physical product there's really no way to know, although even in the days of vinyl you never really knew either. Only time I did was when I released my own. Most labels should be doing this work either themselves or through a 3rd party.

I think the main issue is little labels seem to be able to kind of slink off into the mist and you never really get a good answer from them. In the end you get tired of chasing and give up.

Best thing is to ask around and find out how on time they are with statements and things. Also a good sign is if they are giving advances, even small ones as it means they are probably making money and doing something right.

[klooptheloop]

ok guys, thanks for all the comments

[Waylo]

I've put out a handful of tracks and never seen a cent. I had one that was in the top charts at a download site-- saw the stats that I had 126 downloads before the first month was over. again, never saw a cent.

good thing i'm not paying my rent with this gig.

[sebas]

I've got a small question guys,

is 30% royalties a good deal with a label? It's a original track and the track will come out with remixes, what do I get when a remix will be sold?

thanks in advance