Songbay help centre

Frequently Asked Questions

Find practical answers about buying, selling, licensing, copyright protection, account settings, payments, and using Songbay day to day.

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Buying Songs & Lyrics

Purchasing, downloads, licenses, and buyer questions.

What Percentages of Royalties do I receive if I Sell or Buy Music or Lyrics at Songbay?

With the exception of our 'Copyright Transfer' option, all royalties go to the composer or the lyricist. We take no percentage of royalties or sale fees. We strive to work fairly for composer, lyricist and buyer. We provide free completed contracts between buyer and seller (saving a fortune on expensive music contract drafting). Users may of course use their own contracts, but ours are an excellent starting point, giving a clear breakdown of terms and conditions between composer and buyer so everyone knows where they stand.

How do I Purchase Songs or Lyrics at Songbay?

How to Buy Music and Lyrics at Songbay

Use our powerful search functions to find something suitable.
You can search by style or keywords.
Use the preview buttons to listen to songs / read lyrics.
Select the 'Purchase' option displayed next to the Song or Lyric.
Choose a suitable buying option. These are clearly displayed with each song or Lyric and vary from a simple digital download to an entire copyright purchase. The prices are clearly displayed for each buying option.
Follow the simple step by step instructions, complete the checkout process then download your chosen song or lyric. You will also receive a completed contract to keep for your records.

You can also contact artists directly using the live chat function in your user dashboard or from the contact form on each artist's page. You may wish to discuss a specific writing request or have a collaboration proposal. You will need to register in order to do so, which is free

The prices are all shown in US Dollars, can they be shown in other currencies?

Not at this time although it is an option that we are looking to introduce . In the meantime we recommend using a simple online currency converter to help you, such as 'XE Currency converter' http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

How much does it cost to buy Music and Lyrics at Songbay?

Average Prices and Buying Options

At Songbay, you can buy music and lyrics in a variety of ways and use them for a variety of different projects. Simply choose the buying option which is most suitable for your needs, and we take care of the rest. Unlike other companies, our artists set their own fees for their work. We take no commission from buyers or sellers. Here's an approximate guide of our buying options and prices:

As a Download (Allowing personal use only). $0.99-$1.99
As a Cover version License (Allowing other artists to make a cover version (re-recorded) version of a song or lyric). 9.4 cents per copy
As a Standard License (Allowing limited use of a song or lyric by another person/organization for a specific purpose). $75-$250
As an Extended License (As above, but allowing full commercial and advertising use). $250-$400
As a Copyright Exchange (All rights are transferred from Seller to Buyer. The buyer becomes the new owner of the song or lyric and can do with it as they wish). $200-$5000

You can also contact our artists directly to discuss specific composing requests or collaboration projects. Use the email links on each artist page or the live chat function from your user area.

Does Songbay buy Music or Lyrics directly from me?

No, we do not purchase any songs or lyrics directly from our users. Songbay is an artistic 'show room' for songwriters and lyricists. Interested buyers or artists will be able to contact you directly via our website. We provide an advertising and promotion platform which makes it easy for buyers to purchase music or lyrics from you, plus comprehensive communication/ chat systems allowing direct buyer to artist contact and artist to artist collaboration. As soon as your work is approved for sale on Songbay, it becomes visible to the world. You receive extensive selling options, e.g., you can sell your work as a digital download, you can license your work using our 'single-use license' (see FAQ Can I see the full details of your licenses and contracts?) You can even sell the copyright if you wish. You set your own fees and get to keep all royalties. We even prepare and complete the contracts for you without charge!

How much does it cost to join for Buyers?

How much does it cost to join? It is entirely free to join and search the Songbay song and lyric library. Once registered, you may also contact our artists directly. If you can't find a suitable original song or lyric or have a specific songwriting request please contact us at [email protected]

What are your prices for Music and Lyrics?

Average Prices and Buying Options

As a Download -Allowing personal use only ($0.99-$1.99)
As a Cover version License -Allowing other artists to make a cover version (re-recorded) version of a song or lyric (9.1 cents per copy)
As a Standard License -Allowing limited use of a song or lyric by another person/organization for a specific purpose ($75-$250)
As an Extended License -As above, but allowing full commercial and advertising use ($250-$400)
As a Copyright Exchange -All rights are transferred from Seller to Buyer. The buyer becomes the new owner of the song or lyric ($200-$5000)

You can also contact our artists directly to discuss specific composing requests or collaboration projects. Use the email links on each artist page or the live chat function from your user area.

What are the Buying options at Songbay?

What are the buying options at Songbay?

At Songbay, you can buy music and lyrics in a variety of ways and use them for a variety of different projects. Simply choose the buying option which is most suitable for your needs, and we take care of the rest. Unlike other companies, our artists set their own fees for their work. We take no commission from buyers or sellers. Here's a list of buying options and approximate guide prices:

As a Download - Allowing personal use only ($0.99-$2.50)

As a Cover version License -Allowing other artists to make a cover version (re-recorded) version of a song or lyric (9.1 cents per copy)

As a Standard License -Allowing limited use of a song or lyric by another person/organization for a specific purpose ($75-$250)

As an Extended License -As above, but allowing full commercial and advertising use $250-$400

As a Copyright Exchange -All rights are transferred from Seller to Buyer. The buyer becomes the new owner of the song or lyric and can do with it as they wish ($200-$5000)

You can also contact our artists directly to discuss specific composing requests or collaboration projects. Use the email links on each artist page or the live chat function from your user area.

How do I receive my song or lyric after purchasing?

How do I receive a purchased lyric or song?

On purchasing a song or lyric at Songbay, choose the option 'My Sales/Purchases' from your user dashboard. You will then be able to download your chosen song (in stereo MP3 format) or lyric, along with a completed contract. Please note, for song license purchases, we supply a stereo recording. We do NOT provide individual tracks or stems to songs. You are licensing the completed song, not the individual stems. It's therefore entirely at the seller's discretion whether to supply individual tracks. It's always best to check with the artist directly before purchasing to see if a multi track option is available. You can use the live chat and contact links provided in your user area or on the artist's page to do this. Some artists are happy to supply individual stems others prefer not to do so.

Do I have to pay commission if I sell, buy or license music at Songbay?

Do I have to pay commission if I sell, buy or license music at Songbay? No. Songbay takes no percentages of sales or performance royalties. Artists keep 100% of all the money they make at Songbay.

How does the exchange of contracts take place when I buy music or lyrics at Songbay?

How does the exchange of contracts take place when I buy music or lyrics at Songbay? On receipt of funds and additional identification checks (required for Copyright Exchange sales only), both buyer and seller are issued with a completed contract and the buyer is given a download link to the song or lyric. The song or lyric can then be used in accordance with the terms of the license agreement. We do not take any percentage of sale fees or broadcast/performance royalties. We draw up the contract between Seller and Buyer for the convenience of both parties and without charge. If either party prefer, they can request and use their own contracts.

I want to purchase a copyright but can\'t see this purchase option available.

"I want to purchase the entire copyright to a song or lyric but can't see this purchase option available." Many of our artists offer both licensing and copyright purchases of their songs and lyrics, although some only offer digital downloads and licensing. All purchasing and pricing options are listed next to each song and lyric. If a copyright purchase option is not displayed, you can always try contacting the artist directly to discuss this with them (using the contact links provided in your user area and on the artist's page).

My company would like to purchase several copyrights. What restrictions are there?

"My company would like to purchase the copyrights of several songs you have listed. Are there any restrictions with what we may do with a song? i.e., can it be resold? can it be performed on the radio? or in public?"

Copyright assignment purchase would grant you complete ownership of the songs, allowing you to do with them as you wish. You would also be eligible for all future royalties that the songs might produce. So yes, public broadcasts, radio, television, theatre, etc would all be permissible, as you would become the owner of the works.

If I purchase a lyric, can I add it to my own music?

Yes. absolutely. The lyric would still be owned by the seller (lyricist) who would be entitled to a share of the royalties. For full details of the royalty share, please see the question: Can I see the full details of your licenses and contracts?

I\'ve purchased a song, where can i download it?

From your user area, select the option 'Sales/Purchases'. From here you will be able to download and receive a completed contract.

I\'ve purchased a lyric, where can i download it?

From your user area, select the option 'Sales/Purchases'. From here you will be able to download and receive a completed contract.

I want a song for to use in an advertising campaign for my company. Which buying option do i need?

You should choose our 'Single Use License'.

Do I receive the individual song tracks or stems with purchases?

We can only provide the audio/ lyric content which has been uploaded by the artist (displayed publicly on our site). Please note, for song license purchases, we supply a stereo recording. We do NOT provide individual tracks or stems to songs. You are licensing the completed song, not the individual stems. It's best to check with the artist directly before purchasing to see whether multi track options are available. You can use the live chat and contact links provided in your user area or on the artist's page to do so. Generally artists supply a high quality stereo recording for license sales, reserving individual stems for Copyright sales.

How long does it take to receive a purchased song?

With the exception of Copyright Exchange sales (where additional checks are required), the process is normally instantaneous. Upon payment, simply go to your user area and choose the option: 'My Sales/Purchases'. From here, you can download your song or lyric plus a fully completed contract.

Can I purchase original music and own all rights?

Yes, providing the artist has chosen to use the 'Copyright Exchange' selling option. There are several different selling/purchase options at Songbay. If the artist has chosen to offer this option, the 'copyright' purchase option will be displayed along with all the other purchase options (with an explanation of each) next to each song or lyric. Simply select whichever option you require, in this case, the copyright, and follow the instructions.

Selling & Uploading

Uploads, pricing, seller tools, and catalogue management.

Songbay for Sellers. How does it work?

At Songbay, you can sell music and lyrics in a variety of ways and set your own fees:

As a Download (Allowing personal use only).
As a Cover version License (Allowing other artists to make a cover version (re-recorded) version of your song or lyric).
As a License (Allowing your song or lyric to be used by another person/organization for a specific purpose.
As a Copyright Exchange (Allowing all rights and ownership to be purchased by a Buyer).

Licensing This is the most popular selling option at Songbay. In simple terms, a music license is like agreeing to loan a song or lyric to another person. Instead of 'loan', the music industry uses the word 'license'. Songbay licenses This is the most popular selling choice for songwriters at Songbay. In simple terms, a music license is like agreeing to loan a song or lyric to another person for a specific purpose. Instead of 'loan', the music industry uses the word 'license'. Example uses of these licenses (loans) might be for a website, creating a cover version of a song or lyric, a company video, a radio commercial, film track, etc. The buyer pays the artist a fee for a license and can then use the work legally (for one single project only). A license is a great option for both seller and buyer. The seller keeps total control of their work and is also entitled to receive royalties whenever their work is performed or broadcast, whilst the buyer gets to use the work legally without having to own the copyright. All our licenses are 'non- exclusive' agreements, meaning as a seller, you can sell multiple licenses simultaneously. For example, you could grant a license to 10 different people for 10 different projects and receive 10 royalty shares, potentially quite a profitable arrangement! The more your work is licensed, the more fees and performance/broadcast royalties you will receive. We even supply and complete the license agreements between seller and buyer without charge! Copyright Selling Another unique option offered at Songbay is copyright selling. We allow you to sell the copyright of your work to another person if you wish. The new person then becomes the legal owner and copyright holder of the the music or lyric and gains full control of it. Clearly this is the most expensive option for buyers and (initially), the most lucrative for sellers. Most composers/lyricists prefer not to use this selling option but some, wishing for higher fees, are happy to sell copyrights. ** It is important to realise that agreeing to a copyright sale means agreeing to relinquish all rights to your song or lyric. Once sold, you no longer have any control over it and no rights to any future income or royalties generated. The new owner would not even need to credit you as the original songwriter/ lyricist. For these reasons, we strongly advise you to think very carefully about choosing this selling option. If in any doubt, choose a license selling option instead. As with all sales at Songbay, we supply and complete the copyright agreement between seller and buyer without charge. How much should I charge for my work? Unlike other companies, we allow you to set your own fees for your work without deducting commission from you sales. So whatever fee payments you receive at Songbay, you keep! When uploading your songs and lyrics to our online sellers area, we advise you on the recommended industry prices, to ensure you do not over or under charge for your work. Useful Links: Songbay Free Copyright Protection >> Songbay Quality and Assessment Criteria >>

How much should I charge for my Songs and Lyrics?

Average Prices and Buying Options

At Songbay, you can sell music and lyrics in a variety of ways and set your own fees, you can even negotiate directly with buyers and create your own personalized contracts. Unlike other companies, we allow you to set your own fees for your work without deducting commission from you sellers or buyers. So whatever fee payments you receive at Songbay, you keep! When uploading your songs and lyrics to our online selling area, we advise on the latest recommended industry prices, to ensure you do not over or under charge for your work. Here's an approximate guide of our selling options and prices:

As a Download (Allowing personal use only). $0.99-$1.99
As a Cover version License (Allowing other artists to make a cover version (re-recorded) version of your song or lyric). 9.4 cents per copy
As a Standard License (Allowing limited use of your song or lyric by another person/organization for a specific purpose). $75-$250
As an Extended License (As above, but allowing full commercial and advertising use). $250-$500
As a Copyright Exchange (All rights are transferred from Seller to Buyer. The buyer becomes the new owner of the song or lyric and can do with it as they wish). $200-$6000

Will my Songs or Lyrics sell on Songbay?

We would love to answer definitively 'yes' to this question. Some of our users seem to experience success straight away whilst others after several months and sometimes after several years. Our considerable experience of music licensing teaches us that there is no set formula to guarantee sales but that there are things we can do or avoid doing to boost our chances of selling. In our experience, clients will nearly always choose professionally recorded/produced songs over 'rough demos' and tend not to 'see the potential' of a good song, particularly when there are faults such as tuning, timing recording/production issues to have to 'see past'. With this in mind, as a songwriter, ensure your song is recorded and produced to a high standard and use mastering tools such as compression to balance levels. If the vocals sound like they have been recorded in the garden shed or have been stuck on top of a 'loop' or 'backing track' using a $5.00 microphone, we would say your chances of selling are slim! For lyricists, our clients tend to go for poignant, moving, catchy or humorous lyrics . We advise using devices such as metaphor, alliteration and personification in your work. If you do not know what these things are, we would advise researching! Lyrics which lack depth or rhyme for the sake of rhyming are almost always overlooked. We give each user an artist page. So please make the most of it's functionality. It's a great tool to get your work noticed and to be taken seriously as a songwriter. Therefore, ensure you complete the 'Resume' and 'Information' sections which are presented to buyers. The information you present here helps us to promote you. Promotion Please ensure you have also completed the 'social media links section' (in the 'Enhanced Profile' area of Songbay). If you do not have a Twitter account, we highly recommend creating one. We have a huge following on Twitter and along with other social networks, use it regularly to promote the work of our artists. So back to the question of Selling,, A common misconception by sellers is that their newly uploaded song or lyric will be sold straightaway. Experience shows that this is not the case, that joining any music or lyric library should be considered more of a mid to long term commitment. It's simply not possible to put a time frame on when someone will have a specific requirement for a specific song or lyric. That said, clearly the more high quality material you can upload to a music/lyric library, the greater your chances of being discovered. Similarly, the more people searching the library, the greater the chances of sales. With regard to this, Songbay gives genuinely wide exposure to it's artists, we are ranked extremely high in original music searches from all Internet search engines and No1 for original lyric searches on Google. As a result, every day music and lyrics are traded at Songbay-from simple poetic verses to complete film scores (Songbay subscriber Kevin Nevel has been writing songs for for Keith Urban, TimMcGraw, and Joss Stone. Kevin Nevel on Songbay>>) To further enhance sales, we allow our users to contact each other directly. Songwriting openings can then arrive through networking and collaboration offers. There are plenty examples of this happening on a daily basis at Songbay.- Artists receiving work offers at Songbay >> Other Benefits of being on Songbay Many Songwriters are happy to use our service simply for the related benefits: Whilst your music and lyrics are being hosted and advertised on our library, we provide you with additional unique services. Including:

Free Copyright Protection for all your uploads
Free Publishing (Your work is published worldwide directly from our site)
Music Industry Contact Lists ( A comprehensive 'who's who of the music industry, helping you get your work to the right people).
Songwriting Opportunities
Songwriting Advice
Contract Advice
Promotion
Artist Page (a networking hub with direct contact links, etc to your work)

Which Royalties can I receive if I sell my work at Songbay?

If your work is sold at Songbay, it's highly likely that you will be eligible to receive royalties. When a copyrighted song or lyric is performed in public, played on the radio, sold as a CD or digital recording, or downloaded as a digital audio recording, the writer of the song (as well as the lyricist, recording artist, producer, etc.) earns a royalty, or payment. These royalties can be divided into four groups: 1. Performance Royalties 2. Mechanical Royalties 3. Printed-edition royalties 4. Synchronization Performance and mechanical royalties are generally the two main sources of income for songwriters. Performance Royalties Any type of establishment where songs are can be heard, either recorded versions or live performances, are classified as 'broadcasters'. Broadcasters can be: radio stations, TV networks, nightclubs, concert halls, stadiums, auditoriums, cinemas, companies (basically any establishment or business providing live or pre-recorded music). Broadcasters must be members of a performing rights organization and pay for the right to use music in their venues. This fee is known as a music license. The money collected from these licenses forms a fund from which royalties are calculated and distributed to songwriters and lyricists. How are Performance Royalties calculated? By law, broadcasters must keep accurate logs of the songs they broadcast or allow to be performed in their establishments, on a quarterly basis. They give this log to a performing rights organization, e.g., BMI, SESAC and ASCAP, PPRS, who then total up the amount of times a song has been performed or broadcast. They then disperse the appropriate amount of funds to the songwriters/lyricists who they represent, via royalty checks. Performing rights organizations exist to ensure that songwriters, lyricists and artists are paid each time their songs are used in a public place, broadcast on television, radio, film screen or streamed on the internet. Mechanical Royalties These are generated from payments by record companies to artists via mechanical collection agencies, such as 'The Mechanical Copyright Alliance', 'Phonographic Performance Ltd', etc. As a songwriter/publisher, you are owed a royalty every time your composition is reproduced (on vinyl, tape, CD, MP3, etc). In the United States, this royalty is generally equal to 9.1 cents per reproduced 'copy' of that song, regardless of whether those albums or singles are sold. For on-demand streams through services like Spotify and Grooveshark, the mechanical royalty rate is far lower. Examples If someone covers one of your songs and they manufacture 1000 CDs, they owe you $91, regardless of whether those CDs ever get purchased by customers. If they sell 100 MP3s of your song, they owe you $9.10. Mechanical royalties are set aside by the retailer (music stores, websites, book stores, gift stores, souvenir stands, etc), and paid to collection societies who then distribute those royalties to songwriters and publishers, in much the same way that performance rights organizations distribute funds. Synchronization Synchronization occurs whenever a song or lyric is used in combination with a movie, video, TV program, or soundtrack. In these cases, the synchronization rights are obtained by the movie, TV or video producer for a fee. This is paid to the songwriter or publisher and depends on how much of the song is used, how often it is repeated and whether the soundtrack is sold locally, nationally or Internationally. Printed Edition Royalties These royalties are generated whenever a printed version of a song or lyric is sold. Such as: sheet music, songbooks, anthologies and any other published collections of printed arrangements. To summarize, the four main sources of royalty payments for songwriters and lyricists are: 1. Performance Royalties 2. Mechanical Royalties 3. Printed-edition royalties 4. Synchronization Essentially, that's how songwriters earn money and get paid in the music industry. Unlike other companies, Songbay takes no percentage cuts of any of these royalties or fees.

How much does it cost to Sell My Music and Lyrics at Songbay?

Membership to Sellers is by subscription. Our business model allows us to keep our pricing exceptionally low. Our seller packages cover admin, hosting and development costs and range from £2.99 to £9.99 per month. Here is a list of the current key features for subscribers:

Showcase your songwriting abilities to a Global audience. For example, we are ranked No1 in Google for Lyric searches, receiving thousands of views each day.

Keep All your Sale fees and Royalty payments. We take no commission on sales and no percentage of royalties.

Generous Music and Lyric Uploads.

Receive work offers, collaboration proposals and specific writing requests via our Direct Email and Live Chat Contact functions. Contact Examples >>

Copyright Protection We protect your songs or lyrics from any unauthorised use, copying, plagiarism, or re-selling.

Receive your own 'Artist' area. We host and display your Lyrics, Songs, Photos, Artwork, Bios, Website and Social Media Links.

Receive 'Featured Artist' promotion throughout our site and on our blog.

Receive promotional mentions on Social Networks.

Music Opportunities Each month we receive songwriting requests from buyers, record companies, agents, producers, etc, all looking to source music and lyrics for various projects. We pass the information on to our subscribers.

Receive professional musical, arrangement and production advice.

Gain access to our enormous database of essential worldwide music Industry contacts, helping you get your compositions to the right people. See examples >>

Article and content Contribution to our Blog. Become part of Songbay. Write articles and have them published on our site.

Flexible Subscription Packages with no tie-ins. Use Songbay/ cancel whenever you wish. If you decide that Songbay is not for you, simply drop us an email and we will cancel you subscription with immediate effect.

Testimonials Examples of Subscriber Feedback to us.

User Testimonials >>

Full Details of Membership Options >>

How do I upload my Songs or Lyrics to Songbay?

To upload to Songbay, follow these simple steps:

Register (You will need to register in order to sell music or lyrics at Songbay).
On registering, go to your user area -Indicated 'My Songbay' in yellow at the top of the page.
Choose either 'Sell Lyric' or 'Sell Music' depending on what you wish to sell. If you are only wishing to sell a lyric, select 'Sell Lyric', if you are wishing to sell a song containing music only or song containing both music and lyrics, sellect 'Sell Music'.
Follow the step by step listing instructions. You will be asked how you wish to sell your work. For example, as a Download, a Single-use license, or even as a complete Copyright exchange (you will receive advice on what each of these options are as well as guide prices to help you).
You will then enter your sale price for your music or lyrics (users set their own fees for their work).
Finally, you will be prompted to enter specific details about your work so that it can be found by search engines, e.g., style, mood, Instruments featured etc. The listing process takes just a few minutes, after which your song or lyric will be published for sale to the world!

See example video >> You will receive notification of your music or lyric sales or of any interest in your work.

What type of music or lyric can be uploaded?

What type of music or lyric can be uploaded? Every genre of music/lyric can be added to the Songbay library and in any language.

Which type of music/lyrics sell best on Songbay?

Which type of music/lyrics sell best on Songbay? The list of uses for which buyers require music and lyrics is endless, hence all high quality material (of any genre) stands a good chance of getting noticed on Songbay. Well produced /structured commercial songs of all genres are always very popular as is high quality orchestral music. Well crafted lyrics use devices such as metaphor, personification and alliteration are always in demand.

Can I submit Songs and Lyrics in Languages other than English?

Yes, we welcome music and lyrics of any language.

How do I edit my uploads?

We allow a variety of edits to uploads. You can change the description information of your song or lyric and alter the prices for which you wish to sell them. You can delist/ re-list items and add/ remove artwork and images. For legal and contractual reasons, we do not allow audio edits, or the swapping of one song for another. We do allow corrections to lyrics for typos but impose strict character limits. We do not allow major edits, reworkings or title changes This is to protect against fraud and to facilitate copyright protection. One of the major benefits of Songbay membership is our free copyright protection on all uploads. This would not be possible if users were able to substantially alter the original uploaded content at will. It would also be impossible to collect royalties on song or lyric sales if the original source or title had changed. To edit uploads/content/descriptions/prices or to add artwork to uploads, login to your Songbay account and from your user dashboard choose the link: 'Edit Your Uploads' then 'Edit Details' The direct link to this area is: https://songbay.co/my-submissions

What are the selling options at Songbay?

Selling Options

At Songbay, you can sell music and lyrics in a variety of ways and set your own fees:

As a Download (Allowing personal use only).
As a Cover version License (Allowing other artists to make a cover version (re-recorded) version of your song or lyric).
As a License (Allowing your song or lyric to be used by another person/organization for a specific purpose).
As a Copyright Exchange (Allowing all rights and ownership to be purchased by a Buyer).

Licensing This is the most popular selling option at Songbay. In simple terms, a music license is like agreeing to loan a song or lyric to another person. Instead of 'loan', the music industry uses the word 'license'. Songbay licenses This is the most popular selling choice for songwriters at Songbay. In simple terms, a music license is like agreeing to loan a song or lyric to another person for a specific purpose. Instead of 'loan', the music industry uses the word 'license'. Example uses of these licenses (loans) might be for a website, creating a cover version of a song or lyric, a company video, a radio commercial, film track, etc. The buyer pays the artist a fee for a license and can then use the work legally (for one single project only). A license is a great option for both seller and buyer. The seller keeps total control of their work and is also entitled to receive royalties whenever their work is performed or broadcast, whilst the buyer gets to use the work legally without having to own the copyright. All our licenses are 'non- exclusive' agreements, meaning as a seller, you can sell multiple licenses simultaneously. For example, you could grant a license to 10 different people for 10 different projects and receive 10 royalty shares, potentially quite a profitable arrangement! The more your work is licensed, the more fees and performance/broadcast royalties you will receive. We even supply and complete the license agreements between seller and buyer without charge! Copyright Selling Another unique option offered at Songbay is copyright selling. We allow you to sell the copyright of your work to another person if you wish. The new person then becomes the legal owner and copyright holder of the music or lyric and gains full control of it. Clearly this is the most expensive option for buyers and (initially), the most lucrative for sellers. Most composers/lyricists prefer not to use this selling option but some, wishing for higher fees, are happy to sell copyrights. ** It is important to realise that agreeing to a copyright sale means agreeing to relinquish all rights to your song or lyric. Once sold, you no longer have any control over it and no rights to any future income or royalties generated. The new owner would not even need to credit you as the original songwriter/ lyricist. For these reasons, we strongly advise you to think very carefully about choosing this selling option. If in any doubt, choose a license selling option instead. As with all sales at Songbay, we supply and complete the copyright agreement between seller and buyer without charge. How much should I charge for my work? Unlike other companies, we allow you to set your own fees for your work without deducting any commission from your sales. So whatever fee payments you receive at Songbay, you keep! When uploading your songs and lyrics to our online sellers area, we advise you on the recommended industry prices, to ensure you do not over or undercharge for your work. Useful Links: Songbay Free Copyright Protection >> Songbay Quality and Assessment Criteria >>

What is your selection criteria?

What is your selection criteria? Music To maintain the quality of our library and the integrity of our service, we maintain exacting professional standards. Quality is such a personal choice that often appears to defy logic or traditional 'good musical taste'. This is certainly the case where music licensing is concerned. 'Good' really means 'most suitable' for a specific context. There have been occasions when we have recommended music which we've considered to be strong melodically and harmonically only for the client to choose something that in our opinion seemed pretty average. Sometimes TV executives will deliberately overlook the song with the clever chord sequence or catchy chorus as it would detract from the visual scene that they have in mind. Sometimes, they might choose the song which seems banal or unbearably irritating, but works perfectly well for a specific product commercial. Having said this, from experience, music displaying poor musicianship and sound quality is almost always overlooked. Producers and musical supervisors will avoid music (even great songs) that contain noticeable sonic faults, e.g. Inappropriate EQ, balance, compression, quantisation, distortion, noise issues. They will similarly avoid music that has noticeable musical faults, e.g. Intonation, timing, and synchronisation errors or is lacking in required musicality, i.e. musical expression- dynamics, rubato, colour or phrasing for example. Therefore, we ask our artists to ensure that there are no obvious sonic or musical faults in the material submitted. Irrespective of genre, final uploaded versions should resemble well-balanced master recordings. We do not accept monophonic songs, i.e., just a melody without any harmonic accompaniment. The only exception, a brilliant vocal acapella or piece of choral plainsong. We will not accept any material displaying poor recording quality, low composition or arrangement standard, poor musicianship (such as noticeable tuning and timing issues) or inappropriate or offensive language, nor anything designed to provoke racial, cultural or religious hatred. Any unsuitable material will be removed from our site within 24 hours. We notify all subscribers by email if their material has not met our selection standards. Users will then receive credits to allow further upload opportunities. Lyrics What makes a Good Lyric? A good lyric is not the same as a good poem and a bad lyric is not the same as a bad poem Often the two are confused. Inexperienced lyricists, sometimes forget the purpose of a lyric- to work with a song, to create a feeling, to create memorable hook lines-It is not a Shakespearean sonnet or earth-shattering piece of prose. The later-it certainly can be, but that's not the main purpose. Rhythmic potential, catchy hook lines, the ability to create a vibe, is often more important than a wordy, intellectual poem set to music. 'She loves you, yeh, yeh, ye,', 'We all live in a yellow submarine', 'I can't' get no satisfaction', 'I'm a Barbie doll, in a Barbie world'. At first glance, terrible lyrics? Not so, terrible poems perhaps, but catchy phrases that work so effectively with the song. In this regard, it's almost impossible to say what is a good lyric and what is a bad lyric. It's how the lyric is used and brought to life within the song that defines its success. Imagine the same lyrics used in an introspective dull ballad-such terrible lyrics we hear you say! In the same way that a composer must understand the fundamentals of song construction, i.e., melody, harmony, rhythm and arrangement, a lyricist needs to know what makes a strong and catchy lyric. In that regard, lyrics on their own are often difficult to access without being voiced through their intended outlet-music. That said, we try to look for the well crafted and catchy, or those using devices such as alliteration, simile, personification, onomatopoeia. Rhyme, and humour, work well too.

Which formats can be uploaded to Songbay?

What formats can be uploaded to Songbay? We currently accept the following file formats: MP3, WAV, .DOC, .DOCX, & JPG files

Can I upload lyrics on their own (without music)?

Can I upload lyrics on their own (without music) Yes!

Am I still eligible for performance royalties if I sell music through Songbay?

Yes! There is royalty known as the 'performance royalty', which is owed to a composer/lyricist whenever their music is broadcast or performed in public. This is not normally paid by people purchasing songs or licenses from artists through Songbay. (See below). If you are a member of a professional collection Royalty collection agency such as ASCAP, PRS, BMI, they will automatically collect these royalties for you. How this works The ' royalty is administered in each country by a local Performing Rights Organisation (PRO), who represent composers and lyricists. This organisation will normally require broadcasters (TV, radio stations for example) and live music venues to pay a license fee, usually an annual 'blanket' license that covers them for all the music they broadcast or all the music performed live in their venues. Fees from all broadcasters and live performance venues form a large fund, a percentage of which is used to pay composer/lyricist royalties. Broadcasters are meant to complete a document called a 'cue sheet' containing specific details about the composer and their work. This document is then passed on to the local Performing Rights Organisation who calculate and distribute the royalty payments accordingly. Live music venues complete a similar document. To clarify, it is the broadcaster or live venue owner that pay performance royalties to our artists, not the Songbay license purchasers. All royalties go to the composer or lyricist, Songbay takes no percentage of these.

It's very secure! We give free Copyright Registration and Protection at Songbay

In addition to all the other benefits of Songbay membership, we give our Songwriters full Copyright Protection and Copyright Registration for all music and lyric uploads.

In fact, many songwriters use Songbay exclusively for our free copyright protection service. The moment a song or lyric is performed publicly, broadcast or published in any way, it could theoretically be copied by anyone. A question we're often asked is "What if someone decides to plagiarise or copy my work and pass it off as their own?" A good question,,here's the answer: What protects a song or lyric from copyright infringement is the legal protection behind it. If legal protection didn't exist, anyone could read a great lyric or listen to their favourite chart hit and use it however they wished. So copyright protection forms the backbone of our service and is why so many professional songwriters use us. The moment a song or lyric is created, the composer or author automatically owns the copyright. As is the case with any online advertising or public performance, there is always a risk that material could be copied or used without permission. Copyright law across the world states that in any legal dispute, you must be able to prove you are the original author of a piece of work. To do this, you need to be able to prove that your work predates any other copy. Songbay allows you to do this. Once you have uploaded your music and lyrics, they are stored securely in the 'Songbay vault'. Each uploaded is given a unique digital reference, encrypted, and time and date stamped. We then offer our songwriters a comprehensive copyright registration service and issue copyright certificates for each upload. In the unlikely event of a copyright dispute—whether your work is used without permission or plagiarized or whether you are accused of infringing upon the work of another party, we provide a protective defence. Your Songbay records prove evidence of existence and ownership. We will forward our records to your legal representative and provide you with a written affidavit confirming the date/time uploaded and details of the copyright registration. Most companies charge for copyright protection, (around $15-$35 per song/lyric) we provide this free of charge for you at Songbay. That's some saving! Additionally, you are protected by international copyright law, that acts as a strong deterrent to potential infringers. Copyright violation is treated seriously in law, in some legal disputes, substantial payments can be awarded to the infringed party. Occasionally, we are asked "can you guarantee that nobody will ever use my work without my permission"? and our answer is simple- "Of Course not- nobody can!". As mentioned previously, there is always a theoretical risk, that despite the legal deterrents in place, work can still plagiarised. The only way to prevent this is by Not publishing or Promoting!- Not on the internet, not on the Radio or TV, not to your neighbour, not to anyone for that matter. A somewhat extreme measure, to say the least! If you look in your Songbay user area under the heading 'Copyright' you will see a list of all your protected uploads.

How much should I charge for a copyright?

The pricing of copyright exchange sales should be considered very carefully since if you choose to sell the copyright, you are agreeing to hand over all rights and all future royalties to someone else. To give you some indication, a few of our more prolific songwriters are happy to sell the copyrights for a few hundred dollars, others for tens of thousands. The average copyright sale at Songbay is between £2000-£5000 for a song and £250-£2000 for a lyric. Many of our artists prefer not to sell copyrights and use our 'license selling' instead. This option allows a buyer to use the seller's work legally -the composer or lyricist continues to retain all rights of ownership and royalties. This is our most popular selling option at Songbay.

How do I upload Songs and Lyrics?

To upload to Songbay, follow these simple steps:

Register (You will need to register in order to sell music or lyrics at Songbay).
On registering, go to your user area -Indicated 'My Songbay' in yellow at the top of the page.
Choose either 'Sell Lyric' or 'Sell Music' depending on what you wish to sell. If you are only wishing to sell a lyric, select 'Sell Lyric', if you are wishing to sell a song containing music only or song containing both music and lyrics, sellect 'Sell Music'.
Follow the step by step listing instructions. You will be asked how you wish to sell your work. For example, as a Download, a Single-use license, or even as a complete Copyright exchange (you will receive advice on what each of these options are as well as guide prices to help you).
You will then enter your sale price for your music or lyrics (users set their own fees for their work).
Finally, you will be prompted to enter specific details about your work so that it can be found by search engines, e.g., style, mood, Instruments featured etc. The listing process takes just a few minutes, after which your song or lyric will be published for sale to the world!

See example video >> You will receive notification of your music or lyric sales or of any interest in your work.

Can I change the price I originally listed for my songs?

Yes, To edit uploads/content/descriptions/prices or to add artwork to uploads, login to your Songbay account and from your user dashboard choose the link: 'Edit Your Uploads' then 'Edit Details' The direct link to this area is: https://songbay.co/my-submissions

If I upload materials on your web page and offer it for sale, can I also use the same materials to sell it on other web sites besides Songbay?

Yes, absolutely. There are no exclusive tie-ins with us, so you are free to simultaneously advertise and sell your material on any other platforms. We will also give you full copyright protection of your material even if advertised and sold elsewhere!

Can I hide or make my uploads private?

Yes, to hide your uploads, use the 'Edit your Uploads' link in your user area, then navigate to the upload you wish to hide, and click on the 'Visible Publicly' box- it will then change to 'Hidden', meaning your upload is now hidden from public view. To revert back, just click the 'Hidden' box and it will toggle back to 'Visible Publicly' state'

Can I sell Hindi or Marathi language songs on Songbay?

We accept all language submissions and Hindi songs are very much on the increase at Songbay. English, and other European languages are still the most popular with buyers.

Instructions

Video Instruction guides on using the main Songbay Features

We have a list of instructional videos of our most popular features. Including:

How to upload your lyrics and songs
How to edit your lyrics and songs
How to create your public profile
How to use our copyright protection service
How to add images or audio to your uploads
How to update your account details

To see these videos, please use the 'Instructions' link in your user area or go to: Instructions >> We also have comprehensive help topics, including pretty much every question we've ever been asked! here: Help Topics >> (Enter a search word in the help box and all matches will appear) Here's another instructional video selection:

How do I update my card details?

How do I update my payment details used for my subscription?

All our customer payment details are stored securely with our payment handlers Paypal or Stripe. We do not handle card details directly. Depending on whether you took out your subscription through Paypal or Credit card, here are the instructions for updating your payment details.

Payment by Credit Card

Automatic card updates

Saved payment method details can continue to work even if the physical card has been replaced by the issuing bank. Our card payment handler (Stripe) automatically attempts to update saved card details whenever you receive a new card (e.g., replacing an expired card or one that was reported lost or stolen). This allows you to continue using our service without interruption. Automatic card updates require card issuers to participate with the network and provide this information. It is widely supported in the United States, allowing Stripe to automatically update most American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards issued there. International support varies from country to country. It is not possible to identify which cards can be automatically updated. If you think you do need to update your card details manually please email us and we can instruct you on how to do this.

Payment by Paypal

Go to www.paypal.co.uk and log in to your account.
Click ‘Profile’ near the top of the page.
Click ‘My money.’
Click ‘Update’ beside ‘Debit and credit cards'.
Click ‘Edit’ next to the card you want to change.
Update your information.
Enter your card security code.
Click ‘Save.’

Here's another method of updating your Paypal card details for a specific subscription you may have in place:

Log in to your PayPal account.
Click the 'Settings' icon at the top of the page.
Click Payments.
Under 'Manage Upcoming Payments', click Pre-approved Payments.
Use the filter to select the seller whose agreement you want to display (Songbay).
Display the funding source to update it.
Confirm your request.

Copyright & Licensing

Rights, contracts, royalties, and copyright protection.

What rights or permissions do I need in order to use Songbay?

In order to use our service, you must either own all the rights to any material you wish to upload, license or sell through Songbay or, must own a share of the rights and additionally have permission from all other co-writers to do so. 'Rights' means: Publishing rights, Composing rights and Master recording rights. If you do not own all of these rights, or have a share of these rights, but do not have the permission from the other share holders to use our service, you must NOT use our service. If you are unsure of any of these meanings, please check before attempting to upload. You must Not use this service to upload other artist's songs or lyrics or Cover Versions of other artist's songs. If you do, you may be prosecuted!

Can I still use Songbay if I already have a publishing, recording or management deal?

Can I still use Songbay if I already have a publishing, recording or management deal? Yes-Songbay can work concurrently with any company, service or person working for, or on behalf of a songwriter. The only stipulation is that any music or lyrics submitted for sale at Songbay must be entirely original works (this means-not cover versions or arrangements of other songs), that the user must have permission to upload the work to Songbay (this means- must own the rights of the song or lyric, or have permission from the right holder/s to upload to Songbay), and that the work is free from any pre-existing publishing or broadcasting restrictions that might prevent it from being uploaded, licensed or sold at Songbay.

Are your contracts exclusive or non-exclusive?

With the exception of copyright exchanges, all sales through Songbay take place on a 'non exclusive' basis. This means the composer or lyricist retains all rights to their work.

Can I see the full details of your licenses and contracts?

Can I see full details of your contracts between buyer/seller? Yes, Please see: https://www.songbay.co/license-examples/

How does the Songbay Copyright Protection work?

In addition to all the other benefits of Songbay membership, we give our Songwriters full Copyright Protection and Copyright Registration for all music and lyric uploads. In fact, many songwriters use Songbay exclusively for our free copyright protection service. The moment a song or lyric is performed publicly, broadcast or published in any way, it could theoretically be copied by anyone. A question we're often asked is "What if someone decides to plagiarise or copy my work and pass it off as their own?" A good question,,here's the answer: What protects a song or lyric from copyright infringement is the legal protection behind it. If legal protection didn't exist, anyone could read a great lyric or listen to their favourite chart hit and use it however they wished. So copyright protection forms the backbone of our service and is why so many professional songwriters use us. The moment a song or lyric is created, the composer or author automatically owns the copyright. As is the case with any online advertising or public performance, there is always a risk that material could be copied or used without permission. Copyright law across the world states that in any legal dispute, you must be able to prove you are the original author of a piece of work. To do this, you need to be able to prove that your work predates any other copy. Songbay allows you to do this. Once you have uploaded your music and lyrics, they are stored securely in the 'Songbay vault'. Each uploaded is given a unique digital reference, encrypted, and time and date stamped. We then offer our songwriters a comprehensive copyright registration service and issue copyright certificates for each upload. In the unlikely event of a copyright dispute—whether your work is used without permission or plagiarized or whether you are accused of infringing upon the work of another party, we provide a protective defence. Your Songbay records prove evidence of existence and ownership. We will forward our records to your legal representative and provide you with a written affidavit confirming the date/time uploaded and details of the copyright registration. Most companies charge for copyright protection, (around $15-$35 per song/lyric) we provide this free of charge for you at Songbay. That's some saving! Additionally, you are protected by international copyright law, that acts as a strong deterrent to potential infringers. Copyright violation is treated seriously in law, in some legal disputes, substantial payments can be awarded to the infringed party. Occasionally, we are asked "can you guarantee that nobody will ever use my work without my permission"? and our answer is simple- "Of Course not- nobody can!". As mentioned previously, there is always a theoretical risk, that despite the legal deterrents in place, work can still plagiarised. The only way to prevent this is by Not publishing or Promoting!- Not on the internet, not on the Radio or TV, not to your neighbour, not to anyone for that matter. A somewhat extreme measure, to say the least! If you look in your Songbay user area under the heading 'Copyright' you will see a list of all your protected uploads.

Do i need to join a Royalty Collection Agency to use Songbay?

Royalty Collection Agencies

We are not responsible for tracking or paying royalties. This is the job of a royalty collection agency. We advise all songwriters to register with their regional royalty collection agency to ensure appropriate payment of royalties. We would recommend researching and joining your local collection agency. For example, BMI and ASCAP are popular in the US, and PRS in the UK.

How do Copyright Exchange Sales work?

Copyright Exchange Process

Entering into a Copyright Exchange agreement is a big commitment, since all rights of the song or lyric are transferred from seller to buyer. As such, we need to be absolutely certain of all transaction and user details before finalising the sale and drawing up contracts. For copyright exchange sales, the procedure is as follows.

The buyer deposits funds. These are held securely in our Paypal holding account. The transaction receives a 'Pending' status.
Intention to continue with the agreement is requested and confirmed by seller and buyer.
Seller and buyer Identification checks are carried out.
Specific financial checks are carried out with regards to the transaction.
We draw up the contract and issue a copy to both parties, as well as the relevant download links to the buyer (the new owner).

The above process usually takes between 24-72 hours to complete.

We supply this service free of charge to both parties, without deducting any commission.

* Sale funds are transferred from the holding account to the seller's account after a period of 7-10 days from completion. The delay is required to allow time for payment clearance and to comply with money laundering and other financial regulations.

I closed my account but am still being invoiced

It not possible to be charged after closing your account. This could indicate that you may have a duplicate account or subscription in place or have not followed the instructions on closing your account. Here are the instructions for closing your account in case you are uncertain: To close your account, login to your user area at Songbay and choose the option: 'Songbay Account', you will be asked to enter your security answer. 2. Choose one of the header tabs - 'Membership' or 'Close Account' 3. Follow the step by step instructions Please note that All benefits of Songbay membership (including copyright protection), will terminate upon account closure. Please also note, we cannot refund any subscription payments that you may have already made.

Can I use an alias or artist name instead of my public name?

Yes, you need to register with your family name (required for sales contract creation), but this information is held privately. You can use any artist name or alias for public display at Songbay.

Account & Payments

Memberships, subscriptions, payments, and account details.

How do i get paid for my Song and Lyric Sales at Songbay?

We use Paypal to forward sale fees or any other form of user payment. Paypal is one of the most efficient and secure form of money transfer and is free to join for the vast majority of world users. For sale fees above $30, we automatically transfer payment to your Paypal account 14-28 days from completion (allowing for fund clearance and other necessary financial checks). For payments below $30 we wait until the account is in credit by this amount before transferring payment, or quarterly (which ever is sooner). In order to receive payment from buyers when selling, you will need to have a Paypal account . To avoid delays, please ensure you have included your Paypal email address in your 'Songbay Account' area of your user dashboard. Paypal Website >> In some exceptional circumstances (for amounts in excess of $500), we can transfer payment by other methods, for example Google Pay, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay or bank transfer. Please note, outside of Paypal, banking charges and international currency trader fees may accrue. Please contact us directly to discuss alternative payment methods with us.

How can payment for music or lyrics work if I\'m from a country that doesn\'t have Paypal?

If you are from a country that does not have Paypal as a way of transfering money, you are welcome to transfer money by any other means. As a seller, using the direct seller/buyer contact functionality at Songbay, you would simply instruct the buyer to make a bank transfer to your account in which ever currency is convenient. As soon as the money is in your account, you would log into your 'user- area' at Songbay and click the link -'Payment received'. At this point, the buyer would be able to download their purchased lyric or song and contract.

My password is not working.

"I'm having a problem with my password. The new password which was sent to me isn't working." Please follow these steps fully:

On the login page, use either the reset password link to obtain a new password or the 'reset by answering your security question' option (this is the quickest way of getting back into your account).
Use a desktop computer to login to Songbay (not a mobile device).
Completely empty the cache and browsing history of your web browser.
*Important* Type in the new password manually (do not cut and paste)
When entering your email address, ensure you are using correct upper or lower case characters.
Use the Red 'Login' button on the web page, not your keyboard enter button
You should now be logged in to your account

If you are still experiencing issues, please let us know by emailing us and we will investigate further.

Who is responsible for tax declarations on net income generated through sales at Songbay?

Who is responsible for tax declarations on net income generated through sales at Songbay? It is the responsibility of the seller, i.e., composer or lyricist, to make appropriate tax declarations to their local revenue agency with regards to any profits made through sales of their work on Songbay.

I have taken out a subscription but i can\'t upload.

"I have taken out a subscription but my account is still showing 'Free user' and i can't upload." Log out of Songbay then login again, your account should now be updated. If this does not work: Empty your browser history and cache, close and reopen your browser, then log in to Songbay again, your account should now be updated.

I have taken out a subscription but can\'t see anywhere to upload my songs or lyrics.

You may have mistakenly registered as a Buyer Only and taken out a buyer subscription, which will not give you access to the seller features. Please logout, then back in again, and take out a Seller subscription form the Upgrade/Subscribe link in your user area- the direct link is https://songbay.co/membership-options We will then refund your previous subscription. Please also email us so we can double-check your account status.

I don\'t think I\'ve received payment for a sale.

Payment transfer from buyer to seller is normally instantaneous through Paypal. Occasionally sales do not complete, due to two reasons. Either you have not set up your Paypal account (see question: 'How do i get paid for my Song and Lyric Sales at Songbay? >>' ) or the buyer has not fully completed the checkout process. When this occurs, you will see a message in your user area which reads: "(Name of user),,,,,,is interested in buying one of your lyrics or songs. We will inform you if and when they make a purchase. Alternatively, feel free to contact the user personally (using the email address below) to find out more about their interest in your work." You might also see a notification in your 'Sales/Purchases' area saying: 'Incomplete' next to one of your uploads. Either of these messages means that for some reason the purchase did not go through and we had to decline the transaction. To help you follow up on any incomplete sales, we display the email address of the interested users so you can contact them directly. You might want to find out why they did not complete the purchase and whether they're still interested in buying your song or lyric. *IMPORTANT, It is only when a user actually makes payment to you (you receive funds in your Paypal account) that a sales becomes ACTIVE. At this point the buyer can download and received a completed contract. You will then receive a confirmation notification in your user area which reads: "(name of user) has paid to license your material!"

How do I change package / upgrade my account?

How do I change my membership package / upgrade my account?

There are no tie ins with Songbay, you may switch package/upgrade whenever you wish. To do so, go to our membership options page and select an appropriate package. Membership Upgrades >> The direct link is https://songbay.co/membership-options/

How do your subscriptions (packages) work?

We offer monthly or yearly subscription packages. A subscription is an ongoing payment giving access to our service. Each subscription package offers different user benefits, features and upload levels. Once your subscription is in place, you can upload your songs and lyrics whenever you wish. Some artists upload lots of songs and lyrics all at once, others space uploads over a period of time. The amount of uploads indicated is the total amount that the subscription package allows. It is not a monthly entitlement. The subscription must be kept active in order to access and use our service. There are no tie ins with Songbay, you may upgrade or cancel your subscription at any time. If you decide to cancel your subscription or do not keep it active, your account will be closed and any uploads or other user content will be removed from our system. Any unused features or upload entitlement will also end, including our copyright protection service.

Our business model allows us to keep subscription fees to an absolute minimum. For a little more than the prices of a cup of coffee each month, we give our songwriters the following:

A stunning hosted artist page, image, audio and video upload and integration, music and lyrics stored securely and published worldwide, 100% of all sales and royalties, free legal contracts, leading Google ranking searches, artist promo features on our blog, direct live user to user chat, direct artist contact links, lyric and song appraisal and collaboration service, copyright protection on all uploads, songwriting vacancies, social media advertising, music industry contact databases. Numerous artists are buying, selling, collaborating and networking daily at Songbay.

Lastly we reinvest every penny of profit into research, admin and development of existing and new features for our users.

We think that's a pretty good deal!

How do subscriptions work?

We offer monthly or yearly subscription packages. A subscription is an ongoing payment giving access to our service. Each subscription package offers different user benefits, features and upload levels, such as artist promotion, direct contact, networking functions, music industry directories, copyright protection, etc. Once your subscription is in place, you can upload your songs and lyrics whenever you wish. Some artists upload lots of songs and lyrics all at once, others space uploads over a period of time. The amount of uploads indicated is the total amount that the subscription package allows. It is not a monthly entitlement. The subscription must be kept active in order to access and use our service. There are no tie ins with Songbay, you may upgrade or cancel your subscription at any time. If you decide to cancel your subscription or do not keep it active, your account will be closed and any uploads or other user content will be removed from our system. Any unused features or upload entitlement will also end, including our copyright protection service.

Our business model allows us to keep subscription fees to an absolute minimum. For a little more than the price of a cup of coffee each month, we give our songwriters the following:

Lastly we reinvest every penny of profit into research, admin and development of existing and new features for our users.

We think that's a pretty good deal!

What are your membership prices in US dollars?

For full details of our membership benefits and subscriptions packages for sellers, please see our Membership Options Page >> Our prices are displayed in UK Sterling. For other currencies we recommend using a simple online currency converter to help you, such as 'XE Currency converter' http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

"Hi, Songbay representatives! I've been searching for a long time among the lots of internet-resources and it seems that Songbay is just perfect for my purposes. I'm just at the beginning of selling music career and I'm still a bit confused about not-understanding some details. I'm from Ukraine and in my country there is no particular way to prevent the song's rights to be violated so a lot of musicians do not bother themselves with the copyright stuff. I have a number of songs that are written only by me and lot of them have never even been played to anyone. Do I have to state my copyright in some particular way before uploading or should I upload them straight to Songbay and that would be enough? Thanks in advance. I'm waiting for your response. " AdminReply: Thanks for you interest in Songbay. Copyright protection is an integral feature of our service, we provide this benefit to our users without charge on all uploads. Provided you own the copyright to the songs/lyrics you upload, we will protect them for you. You can upload them straight to Songbay with the reassurance that as well as publishing your work, we will also protect it. For further details, please see: https://songbay.co/songbay/blog/faqs/#how-does-the-songbay-copyright-protection-work and also: https://songbay.co/songbay/blog/faqs/#copyright-and-security-concerns-how-secure-is-my-material-once-uploaded-to-songbay

How do I change my password?

Login to your Songbay account and from your user dashboard choose the link: 'Songbay Account' From here you will be able to change your Password The direct link to this area is: https://songbay.co/user-profile/

How do I change my email address?

Only admin can update email addresses. Please email us or use our contact form, to request an email change. Contact Us >>

How do I close my account?

Close Account Instructions

To close your account, simply login to your user area at Songbay and choose the option: 'Songbay Account', you will be asked to enter your security answer. 2. Choose one of the header tabs - 'Membership' or 'Close Account' 3. Follow the step by step instructions Please note that All benefits of Songbay membership (including copyright protection), will terminate upon account closure. Please also note, we cannot refund any subscription payments that you may have already made.

OTP password Issue

OTP Code not working

An OTP code (One time password) is a security measure that our system automatically invokes whenever a user signs in using an unrecognized device, or from a different geographical location, or if the user has not used their account for some time. It is important to wait for the OTP code to arrive by email (up to 15 mins). If an OTP code does not arrive or is not accepted, wait at least 15 minutes before requesting another. If you do not wait long enough, you may find yourself entering a previous (delayed) code, that has been superseded by a more recent code. Lastly, always type the code manually, do not copy and paste it.

Account Upgrade issue

I have taken out a subscription, but my account has not upgraded and I still cannot upload. If you are experiencing this issue, please log out, wait 5 minutes, then log back in again. Upgrades are usually processed instantaneously, but occasionally there can be a few minutes delay, whilst the payment is being processed.

Technical Issues

Images, audio, access problems, and troubleshooting.

I\'m having trouble entering my phone number when registering.

As a work around, please leave the phone number field blank and register as normal. You can always enter your phone number manually once registered from your user area.

I have uploaded my song / lyric but is not displaying on my artist page.

Please pay particular attention to the notification at the start and end of the upload process, which says: ** Please Note Uploads will NOT appear live on Songbay until they have been approved by our quality team. This process normally takes between 48-72 hours. You will be able to see the upload displaying on your artist page once approved. If you song or lyric is rejected for any reason, we will notify you by email ** We review all uploads to Songbay. This process takes between 48-72 hours. You will be able to see the upload displaying on your artist page once approved. For more details on our selection criteria please see Selection Criteria: https://songbay.co/songbay/blog/faqs/#what-is-your-selection-criteria

Technical Issues

Technical issues and Fixes As with all online companies, users may experience technical difficulties from time to time. These are often the result of browser/ server/ software/ hardware conflicts which are beyond our control. Here is a list of common issues which can occur and how to fix them : Email address, Passwords, Security answers, OTP Codes not accepted We would suggest, trying the following in this order:

Ensure you are using a desktop computer and not a mobile device.
Clear your web browser cache and history.
Change to a different web browser. We recommend using the latest versions of Chrome of Firefox.
Ensure you have a sufficiently fast and uninterrupted internet link.
Switch off any anti-virus software which may be causing a conflict.
Try using a different computer altogether (Not a mobile device).
When entering any Passwords, Memorable Security answers, OTP codes, or Email addresses, type them in manually, do not use copy and paste, or any auto-fill functions. Occasionally pasting can input invisible characters or hyper-links, which will cause our system to reject the data.
When entering email addresses or passwords, ensure the correct use of capitals, (our system is case-specific). Ensure the caps lock function is not activated.
If resetting passwords, use the memorable security answer option instead of the email link option (in case you have an issue with receiving emails from your mail server).

If all these steps fail, please email us your current login credentials (you can always change these at a later stage) and we will investigate further. Images not displaying or changing after uploading, editing or changing them. This occurs when your web browser is not displaying the most recent version of a page. Delete your web browser cache and history and reopen the page, you will see the new image. Alternative check with a different web browser. OTP Code not working An OTP code (One time password) is a security measure that our system automatically invokes whenever a user signs in using an unrecognized device, or from a different geographical location, or if the user has not used their account for some time. It is important to wait for the OTP code to arrive by email (up to 15 mins). If an OTP code does not arrive or is not accepted, wait at least 15 minutes before requesting another one. Always type the code manually, do not copy and paste it. Lyrics or Music not displaying after following the upload steps Try the following:

Ensure you fully read the upload instructions.
Ensure you are using the correct upload option: 'Sell Lyrics' for lyric uploads and 'Sell Music' for audio uploads. If you choose the wrong option, the upload will fail.
If an audio upload, ensure the file is under 10 MB in size. Anything larger, will fail.
Clear your web browser cache and history. Web browsers have a habit of causing glitches by displaying old versions (cached) versions of web pages and not the most recent. They remember old URL page links and content and to speed up loading time, display these versions instead of the most recent. Clearing the web browser cache and history solves this issue by forcing the browser to display the most recent content).
Always click on the 'Continue' button when uploading, NEVER your keyboard 'enter' key. Doing so will result in failure.
If you make a mistake when uploading, always use the 'start over' link, NEVER the browser back button. Doing so can cause glitches.
Always wait for the confirmation message that the upload was successful before moving to a different web page.
Change to a different web browser. We recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome or Firefox, which from our experience, are the most stable
Ensure that Java is installed on your computer.
Ensure you have a sufficiently fast and uninterrupted internet link.
Switch off any anti-virus software which may be causing a conflict.
Do not use Opera web browser. We do not support it.
Do not leave the upload process mid way, you will get logged out and the upload will fail.
Try using a different computer altogether.

Upload problem Users unable to progress through the song or lyric listing stages. On clicking 'Next' nothing happens, the page just hangs indefinitely, making it impossible to progress further. Fixes Clear the web browser cache and history and retry.

I changed an image but the old one is still displaying?

Image Display Issue

If you change an image, you will often notice that the old image still displays. This is because your web browser is not displaying the most recent version of the page. The solution: Empty your browser cache and history, then close and reopen your browser, the new image should now display. Browsers have a nasty habit of displaying old (cached) versions of pages, and not the most recent. Clearing the cache and history forces them to update.

I\'m having trouble with my profile picture.

"I'm having trouble with my profile picture, its sideways. I've tried several different rotations before upload, any tips?" Our system displays an image in the same orientation as the original uploaded image taken from the user's computer. If the image is not orientated correctly locally, it will display incorrectly on Songbay. We would recommend using professional image editing software to check and if necessary, correct the layout of your photo. You could also use a good online image editing company such as Lunapics >> (in our opinion, one of the best out there, simple to use and no registration required). If after re uploading the image it is still not displaying correctly, log out of Songbay, then empty your browser cache and history and retry. (we recommend using the Chrome web browser). If you are still experiencing layout issues, please email us and we will investigate further.

Audio Player Issue.

"The player doesn't seem to be working, nothing happens when i press play" This sometimes happens with a web browser we do not support, is out of date or missing various plugins. We support most operating systems and browsers. If you experience any player or viewing issues, we recommend using the latest version of Chrome, Firefox or Safari. We do not support the Operas web browser, and some mobile browsers.

How do I upload images with my Songs and Lyrics?

Login to your Songbay account and from your user dashboard choose the link: 'Edit Your Uploads' From here you will be able to add images to your uploads. The direct link to this area is: https://songbay.co/my-submissions

How do I change my Profile Image?

Login to your Songbay account and from your user dashboard choose the link: 'My Songbay Profile' From here you will be able to change your Profile Image. Once you have uploaded your new image, remember to press the 'Update' button at the bottom of the page. The direct link to this area is: https://songbay.co/user-profile/

Collaboration & Custom Work

Songwriting requests, collaborations, and commissioned work.

Can i add my own vocals and re-arrange a song or lyric?

Yes. You would need to purchase a 'Derivative-Use-License'. You may then re-record it or re-arrange it, or re-mix it, or re-score for different vocalists or instruments. If a lyric, you may edit it and combine with audio content to make a complete song. A great buyer benefit of derivative license is that it also grants you an equal share of gross income from any CD or Download sales accruing worldwide from use of the derivative version (on a 50%/50% buyer/seller basis)!

I\'m interested in collaborating with one of your songwriters, how should i go about this?

Please feel free to contact the artist directly using the live chat feature from your user dashboard or from the contact links on the artist's page.

I\'m looking for a ghostwriter (pop songs). Is this something you offer?

Yes this is becoming increasingly popular at Songbay. Although not always mentioned in the artist's profile, many are offering ghostwriting services. It's best to contact any artists you consider suitable using the contact links provided and discuss your requirements with them.

I\'ve received a collaboration offer from an interested user, what should i do now?

Firstly, you should establish legitimacy of the collaboration offer. Make sure the offer has come directly from the Songbay website and that the user is a registered Songbay member. You should then find out as much about the offer as possible. Ask lot's of questions about the proposal and specifically, why the user wishes to work with you. Ask to see examples of the user's works, projects, website links, other songs, lyrics, poems etc. Take your time and don't be rushed into anything. Do not agree to sign any deals which require you to give up ownership (copyright) of your work, unless you really do wish to negotiate a copyright sale.

If you are happy to proceed, you can explore some collaboration approaches.

Typical Songbay Artist collaboration arrangements

Option 1: A popular option is a straight royalty share of the finished song, typically a 50% split between you and the other party. You collaborate with the other artist and agree on joint ownership and to divide equally all royalties accruing from the newly created song.
Option 2: Choose to take a lower percentage ownership/royalty share but charge an additional hourly rate for your time. Here are some typical collaboration rates for songwriters at Songbay:

£20-£60 per hour for freelance collaboration plus a 10-25% share of any royalties.
£700-£5000 for writing and providing a lyric or song, without a royalty share.

Of course, you are free to strike up whatever deal works best for you and to work out percentage splits and payments accordingly.

About Songbay

General information about the platform and who uses it.

What Is Songbay?

Songbay is a unique library which stores and advertises music and lyrics. These are purchased by anyone needing original material in their productions. Typical users include:

Companies looking for music for websites
Managers/Agents searching for new material for artists
Bands/Solo artists wishing to make their own cover versions of songs and lyrics
Producers looking for music for films and TV commercials
Composers looking to collaborate with Lyricists
Lyricists looking to collaborate with Composers

Who uses Songbay?

Who uses Songbay? Songbay is used by: Songwriters, arrangers, lyricists, transcribers, musicians, record companies, publishers, management companies, advertising executives, producers, musical supervisors, song collectors, promoters, etc. Everyone with an interest in sourcing, licensing, buying or selling music can be involved with Songbay.

How Popular is Songbay?

Very! Songbay has risen steadily up the search engine rankings over the last few years and is currently listed NO 1 on Google for lyric and in the top 4 for music searches. To prove the point, in your browser, type in the search terms: "Buy Lyric" or "Sell Lyric" or "Sell Song" or "Buy Song" and see what pops up! Songbay is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for professional songwriters, producers and buyers wishing to connect with each other. We are now the world's largest original lyric library. If you type in the name of any of our artists or the titles of any of their songs or lyrics, chances are, the results will be at the top of your search engine results page! This hasn't happened by accident, we spend a great deal of time and money on Search Engine Optimisation -SEO, ensuring the work of our artists can be found around the world A good deal?

Our business model allows us to keep subscription fees to an absolute minimum. For a little more than the price of a cup of coffee each month, we give our songwriters the following:

A stunning hosted artist page, image, audio, and video upload and integration, music and lyrics stored securely and published worldwide, 100% of all sales and royalties, free legal contracts, leading Google ranking searches, artist promo features on our blog, direct live user to user chat, direct artist contact links, lyric and song appraisal and collaboration service, copyright protection on all uploads, songwriting vacancies, social media advertising, music industry contact databases. Numerous artists are buying, selling, collaborating, and networking daily at Songbay.

Lastly, we reinvest every penny of profit into research, admin, and development of existing and new features for our users.

We think that's a pretty good deal!

I am not from the US or UK, can I still use Songbay?

Yes, Songbay, although based in the UK , is an International company and welcomes submissions from artists from all round the world.

Are there any tie-ins with Songbay?

Are there any tie-ins with Songbay? No. You can upgrade or close your account whenever you wish. If you want to upgrade your subscription, please go to songbay.co/membership-options If you no longer wish to use Songbay's services, simply choose the 'Songbay Account' link from your user area, then 'Close Account'. Please note, we cannot refund any subscription payments that you may have already made.

Do I have to pay to search or contact artists?

Do I have to pay to search or contact artists? No, we provide this service free of charge. Once registered, you can use the contact link on the artist's page or the live chat function from your user dashboard. You may wish to discuss a collaboration project or have a specific songwriting request in mind.

I need a song written specifically for me, is this something you offer?

How to request a bespoke custom-written original song?

This is very popular at Songbay. The best approach would be to search for suitable artists writing in your chosen style, then contact them directly to discuss. You may use the search and live chat features from your user dashboard or the direct contact links on the artist's page.

How do I add or update my social media accounts such as Facebook and Twitter?

Login to your Songbay account and from your user dashboard choose the link: 'Songbay Account' Select 'Enhanced Info' (at the top of the page) From here, you will be able to add/update your social media links. Once you have done so, remember to press the 'Update' button at the bottom of the page. The direct link to this area is: https://songbay.co/user-profile/

Security answer issue

Forgotten security answer

If you have forgotten your Songbay security answer, please use the Forgotten security answer reset form. You will be asked to confirm your account details and then choose a new security question and answer. You can also find this link on the Songbay security answer screen by selecting Forgotten security answer?.

Still need help?

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