Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- Why would I opt for Online Music Agency?
- What are the benefits?
- What are the costs involved for joining Online Music Agency?
- How much money will we make?
- How long will it take before our tracks become available for downloading?
- How often and when do we receive a sales report?
- Will we remain the rightful owner of our music?
- Are we committed to anything and for how long?
- Can we place our tracks at the disposal of other offerers / parties?
- We are currently on MySpace, is that allowed?
- How many tracks / albums can I add?
- What is a bundle?
- Is it possible to add a single track?
- How many tracks does it take to make this interesting for me?
- Which music genres does Online Music Agency cater for?
- What are the main target groups of Online Music Agency?
- Who decides which tracks qualify for this service?
- Are there any quality criteria regarding the recordings?
- What are the rules of the game regarding our music?
- Where and in which countries will our music be made available?
- Does Online Music Agency finance recording sessions?
- What are music rights and who takes care of remunerations?
- What is Buma/Stemra?
- How about our other rights (SENA)?
- Do I have to provide promotional texts?
- What is a promo text?
- Is there a limit to the number of words in a promo text?
- Can I add artwork like a cover/booklet to our album?
- I am totally convinced, how do I sign in?
- Does my music need a barcode?
1. Why would I opt for Online Music Agency?
All digital music platforms have built in thresholds regarding number of sales / albums. For the average band and/or producer these minimum requirements cannot be met. This doesn’t apply to us. Online Music Agency currently manages over 17.000 tracks and has contracts with all major digital platforms.
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2. What are the benefits?
The major advantage is a higher income with less investment. You no longer need to develop and produce CD’s.
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3. What are the costs involved for joining Online Music Agency?
All our services are provided on a no cure no pay basis. So if your music doesn't sell, you won't have to pay anything. Our fee is 30% from the net proceeds of sold tracks.
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4. How much money will we make?
This depends totally on the popularity of your music and/or band. The more fans you inform, the better. So tell everybody and everywhere that your songs and/or live performances are now available for downloading through platforms like iTunes.
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5. How long will it take before our tracks become available for downloading?
Depending on how busy we are, we aim for: within 2 to 3 weeks after having received the full package of audio, artwork and info.
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6. How often and when do we receive a sales report?
We send out reports four times a year. They summarise the number of downloads, in which shop your tracks were sold and, if applicable, in which country. Settlement of the account will take place at the latest 60 days after each term has ended. Your net proceeds will subsequently be transferred to your bank account within a week. International money transfers are at your own expense and a minimum of €50 per transfer applies.
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7. Will we remain the rightful owner of our music?
Yes, your tracks will always completely stay yours. Online Music Agency only acts as a middleman.
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8. Are we committed to anything and for how long?
The minimum duration for a contract is 2 years. After that we continue to prolong your contract by adding 2 year. Ending the agreement can only be done in writing <strong>by registered letter</strong>, at the latest two months before end of contract.
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9. Can we place our tracks at the disposal of other offerers / parties?
For the duration of your contract it is not allowed to offer the same tracks / album again through another agency. Digital platforms like iTunes forbid it! However, it is possible to compose a single, best of or greatest hits out of an existing bundle through Online Music Agency.
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10. We are currently on MySpace, is that allowed?
Yes, that’s allowed!
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11. How many tracks / albums can I add?
There is no limit to the number of tracks / albums. You can add single tracks, EP's, studio albums as well as live registrations. But each bundle has to be accompanied by a cover (artwork).
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12. What is a bundle?
Bundle is a term for a set of tracks / songs. One bundle can contain 1 track (single), 2 tracks (single), 4 tracks (EP) or a whole album.
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13. Is it possible to add a single track?
Yes, you can add a bundle that consists of just one track / song. But it always needs a cover.
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14. How many tracks does it take to make this interesting for me?
Any number will do as far as Online Music Agency is concerned. Success depends more on the popularity of your band and/or music and on how well you inform your fans. If you tell everybody and everywhere that your songs and/or live performances are now available for downloading, the sky is the limit!
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15. Which music genres does Online Music Agency cater for?
We accept all music genres. Anything goes, from gospel to metal. We do however constantly check for discriminating titles and lyrics.
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16. What are the main target groups of Online Music Agency?
Bands, choirs, solo artists, independent producers, stand-up comedians and small record companies or labels. As long as you have private recordings available of tracks / albums that you would like to present to a large audience.
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17. Who decides which tracks qualify for this service?
With the exception of racist titles and/or lyrics, Online Music Agency gives you total freedom how and what to offer.
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18. Are there any quality criteria regarding the recordings?
Yes, they need to be at least of CD quality. If you already have a CD/CDR of your tracks, you can send us that. Otherwise we would like to receive WAV-files. More detailed instructions about uploading will be forwarded after we have come to an agreement.
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19. What are the rules of the game regarding our music?
Covers are allowed, but (voice)sampling of existing records/productions/films/TV-series is not. Each track has to be unique and may not violate/infringe third parties.
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20. Where and in which countries will our music be made available?
As a rule in all major download shops worldwide. But if you wish so, only in the Netherlands or Benelux.
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21. Does Online Music Agency finance recording sessions?
No, we only act as middleman. All bands, (gospel/shanty/pop)choirs, solo artists, independent producers, stand-up comedians and small record companies or labels are themselves responsible for providing us with recordings of tracks/albums/performances.
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22. What are music rights and who takes care of remunerations?
Each piece of music (either a cover or your own creation) is protected by law against illegal transmissions and/or recordings. Therefore remunerations need to be paid for every CD and/or download, for the Netherlands to Buma/Stemra. They will subsequently pass the money on to the rightful composers. Provided that they joined Buma/Stemra or a foreign music copyrights organisation with close ties to the Dutch one. With Online Music Agency it all comes down to this: no worries and hassle for you, remunerations will be taken care of!
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23. What is Buma/Stemra?
It is the Dutch music copyrights organisation. Read more on:
www.bumastemra.nl (click on English in the upper right corner).
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24. How about our other rights (SENA)?
SENA does not cash remunerations on downloads. More info on www.sena.nl (click on English in the upper right corner and on the button Creators of Music next).
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25. Do I have to provide promotional texts?
At present only iTunes allow artists to add promotional information. Be aware: this can only be done once, because iTunes have indicated that uploaded text can never be changed or updated.
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26. What is a promo text?
A good promo text contains, amongst others, a short biography and the names and roles of band members. Also, if applicable, where and by whom the track / album was recorded. This text can only be supplied and uploaded once and never altered. Therefore adding concert dates is not advisable.
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27. Is there a limit to the number of words in a promo text?
The maximum is 500 words. A good promo text contains, amongst others, a short biography and the names and roles of band members. Also, if applicable, where and by whom the track / album was recorded. Be aware: iTunes have indicated that uploaded text can never be changed or updated.
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28. Can I add artwork like a cover/booklet to our album?
This is even obligatory. At present only the front cover can be added. Please supply artwork of JPG-format.
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29. I am totally convinced, how do I sign in?
Click here to fill in our application form and make sure you give us all important details. Such as the name of the band/musicians/artists, including addresses. After reception of said form, Online Music Agency will contact you and send a contract. Subsequently you will receive ample instructions regarding the supply and uploading of music, promo text and artwork.
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30. Does my music need a barcode?
Yes, each and every product must have a unique barcode. If you don't have one yet, Online Music Agency will assign one.
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