As a digital music distributor, Tunecore is responsible for ensuring that content creators are fairly compensated for their work.
When a customer purchases or streams a song or album through Tunecore, the platform collects royalties on behalf of the artist.
These royalties are then distributed to the artist according to the royalty rates set by Tunecore.
Keep reading to learn how TuneCore pays its content creators, its payment frequency, and when to make withdrawals from the platform.
How TuneCore pays you
A royalty is paid every time your song is reproduced or streamed.
For example, every time your song is streamed on an interactive streaming online platform like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube, or downloaded on a store like iTunes or Amazon, payment is made to Tunecore.
In addition, each record sold physically, such as a vinyl record or CD, results in a paid mechanical royalty.
Here’s a list of the royalties and potential revenue sources for your songs to help you better understand how your music generates money.
Music Distribution Streaming Services
Music distribution involves collecting royalties for songs and sound recordings, which applies to performers and artists. A record label or distributor manages their loyalties on their behalf.
Then, the music gets delivered to the listener directly through online platforms. Digital music distribution allows artists to distribute music directly to online stores while keeping 100% of their royalties.
It acts more like a digital record shop to get your music, where people can stream, download, and buy from the comfort of their devices. You will receive royalties for every stream listened to and downloaded music.
Publishing Administration
Music publishing administration is the business of promoting and monetizing music compositions.
Music publishers ensure the writers receive their royalties for their song compositions. They also provide opportunities for the songs to be performed and reproduced.
Music publishing involves the collection of royalties for original compositions and songs written by writers. Under this, there are several ways to earn royalties.
- Mechanical Royalties. These are interactive on-demand streaming, online downloads, and physical productions like Vinyl, CDs, and ringtones.
- Public Performance and Broadcast Royalties. They include interactive and on-demand streaming, digital radio, radio, TV, live concerts, and performances in bars and restaurants.
- The synchronization of licensing fees on television, film, video games, and commercials.
- Printing Royalties. It applies to both online and physical songbooks.
As a musician working with Tunecore in your Publishing Administration, they ensure you register all your compositions internationally. In addition, the initiative provides that all the money made from your songs is collected.
Tunecore offers a service that collects royalties from YouTube sound recordings and distributes them on behalf of the creators. The artist is entitled to 80% of the revenue collected.
Methods of Payment On TuneCore
TuneCore currently offers two methods of payment to its content creators:
Bank Transfer
This is the most popular form of payment on TuneCore. When you sign up for an account with Tunecore, you will be asked to provide your bank account details.
Once your work has been purchased or streamed, TuneCore will transfer the royalties directly into your bank account. You can link your credit or debit card to your Tunecore account to make withdrawals easier.
The downside of this method is that it can take a few days for the money to reach your account.
PayPal
You can also choose to be paid through PayPal. This is a good option if you don’t have a bank account or want to receive your royalties faster.
When you sign up for an account with TuneCore, you will be asked to provide your PayPal email address.
However, PayPal isn’t available in all countries. So check your country in the list on Paypal’s website before choosing this platform.
Payoneer
Tunecore has also partnered with Payoneer to ensure smooth payments globally for all the payment withdrawals.
With Payoneer, it is easy to withdraw money via other payment channels like PayPal, a paper check, as well as a deposit on your prepaid MasterCard, or send it directly to the bank account.
TuneCore Sales Report Frequency
Music distribution stores report to TuneCore within 60 days with the report of their monthly sales. For instance, music sales made in January, you probably receive the money and sales reports in March.
Tunecore gives stores 30 days to submit their sales reports. Some stores like iTunes report their sales on the month’s first weekend. Spotify reports its monthly sales reports during the last weekend of the month.
Tunecore then posts the reports, money, and sales for all weekend store reports on your account. Your sales will appear in your account two months after your music is available in stores.
What time does Tunecore pay you?
Whenever your music gets streamed on any of the mentioned online streaming, Tunecore deposits the money directly into your TuneCore account.
The same applies to all music downloads, with an assurance of not withholding any percentage of your sales revenue.
TuneCore standard works every quarter payment schedule, which is about 45 days after the end of each quarterly calendar.
Schedules may vary depending on the individual society you have registered to publish your music. Still, Tunecore processes and pays the royalties within their standard schedule of 45 days upon receiving your work.
The quarters are as follows:
- Quarter 1 – This quarter is from January to March, with the payout occurring in mid-May.
- Quarter 2 – This quarter is from April to June, and the payout happens in mid-August.
- Quarter 3 – It begins in July and ends in September, with a payout in mid-November.
- Quarter 4 – It is from October to December. The payout happens in the following year, in mid-February.
To receive your first royalty payment, it will take Tunecore 9 to 12 months to process it.
In the case of foreign societies, it may take longer, up to 18 months, due to the necessary standards for registering international associations.
It is upon the completion of that process that Tunecore can make payments to you.
For the music distribution royalty payments, the digital platform provider forwards the sales reports every month; you receive the payment every three months.
Will TuneCore delay my payment?
Tunecore may delay payments if there are insufficient funds in the account to cover the payout. In these cases, Tunecore will make the payment as soon as funds become available.
Are there any withdrawal limits?
There is no minimum payout amount required to make a withdrawal from Tunecore. However, there is a maximum withdrawal limit of $10,000 per transaction.
If you have earnings that exceed this amount, you will need to make multiple withdrawals to receive the full amount of your earnings.
Of course, you will incur numerous transfer costs compared to if you were to make only one request. But if you need all your cash, then it’s worth it.
When can I make a withdrawal from TuneCore?
You can make a withdrawal from Tunecore at any time, provided that you have a balance in your account that meets the minimum payout amount.
Keep in mind that it may take up to 45 days for the withdrawal to be processed. However, TuneCore commits to reviewing all payment requests and making transfers within three business days for all users with enough account balances.
