TAXI.com

Taxi Peeps,

I have a particular library showing some interest in my stuff. Any tips in what I should be looking at? Any warning bells?

Feedback much appreciated!
-f.

Hi Frank,
I've not heard of em, but I'll bet their Inbox just git a bit fuller. LOL

I guess it boils down to what do they want from you and what are they offering in return.

Good Luck,
EJB

Hey bro, library names aren't allowed per the forum rules. Edit your post and PM some of the more experienced members (Andy, Russell, Casey, Matt VanderBoegh, etc) and ask them their opinion and if they've worked with them before.

Commisary, thanks for the advice! Didn't know that was a taboo here. I just edited the original post to reflect a more general conversation on the topic.

Thanks again, f.

Hi, Frank.

You want to make sure they are splitting the Royalties 50/50 (where your 50 is 100% of the writer's portion).
Also if there are any upfront licensing fees, that they are splitting those with you as well.

If it is an Exclusive Library, then optimally you'll want some upfront money for giving them exclusive rights to shop the music. If it is a Non-Exclusive Library, then there will not be any upfront money.

But hey, if the Library is Non-Exclusive, what have you got to lose if you're going to shop the songs to other Non-Exclusive Libraries?

If it is an Exclusive Library, it would be good to try to research them (on the sly) to see what the quality of their placements have been since you will be signing the works to them forever... or at least until you invoke a reversion clause if it exists.

Regards
Russell Landwehr

No problem! I hope the library deal works out for you.

Thanks, Russell! Really good suggestions especially of stuff I did not consider. The library we've got a lead on is exclusive so that's why I'm treading carefully! Really appreciate your support and that of the entire Taxi community. It's great how we look out for each other.

-f.

One thing I've used for several years to research companies is LinkedIn.com. Search for your contact's name and company name and see what their background is. If the business has been around a while and/or the contact has industry-related experience you can feel good about it. If your contact has no industry experience or a varied background it might be more risky. Don't let a slick web site fool you, do some digging and then make a decision based on the terms and your gut.

This might be a great topic for a segment on Taxi TV: "How To Evaluate A Music Library"

Hey Paul, your suggestions are great! Never thought of checking out Linkedin. And yes, I agree, that would make a great episode of TaxiTV!!

Thanks so much, f.