Collaboration Splits
Setting up fair splits for projects with multiple contributors
Why Collaboration Splits Matter
When multiple artists, producers, songwriters, or other contributors work on a track, it's essential to establish clear agreements about how revenue will be shared. This ensures everyone is fairly compensated for their contributions and helps prevent disputes down the line.
Benefits of Clear Collaboration Splits
- Prevents misunderstandings and potential conflicts about compensation
- Establishes professional relationships based on transparency and trust
- Ensures automatic payments to all contributors without manual calculations
- Creates a foundation for successful long-term creative partnerships
Example Split Scenarios
Scenario 1: Artist + Producer
In this common scenario, the main artist receives 70% of the royalties while the producer receives 30%. This split recognizes both the artist's creative contribution and the producer's role in shaping the sound.
Scenario 2: Featured Artist Collaboration
When a track features another artist, the split typically gives the main artist 50%, the featured artist 30%, and the producer 20%. This recognizes the promotional value and creative contribution of the featured artist.
Scenario 3: Full Production Team
For tracks with multiple contributors, the split might be more complex. This example shows a main artist (40%), producer (25%), songwriter (20%), and engineer (15%) all receiving shares based on their contributions to the final product.
Setting Up Splits in MOTIVA GROOVE
MOTIVA GROOVE makes it easy to set up royalty splits for your collaborative projects. Here's how it works:
Step 1: Add Collaborators
When uploading your release, you'll have the option to add collaborators by email. Each collaborator will need to have or create a MOTIVA GROOVE account to receive their share of the royalties.
Step 2: Set Percentage Splits
Specify the percentage each contributor should receive. The total must add up to 100% of the artist share (which is 80% of the total revenue, as MOTIVA GROOVE takes 20%).
Step 3: Confirm and Submit
After setting the splits, all collaborators will receive an email to confirm their participation. Once everyone has confirmed, the splits are locked in and payments will be automatically distributed according to the agreed percentages.
Best Practices for Collaboration Splits
- Discuss splits before starting the project to avoid misunderstandings later.
- Document agreements in writing, even if it's just in an email or text message.
- Consider the value of each contribution, not just the time spent.
- Be fair and transparent to build lasting creative relationships.