Artist FAQ
Fans are trying to buy my track, but when they send the text, they are not getting any response?
How does someone download my track to their phone?
Users are reporting that Direct to Mobile downloads aren't working, or are timing out. What is wrong?
Is it very expensive to download a track to a phone?
Can a user download to both their phone and their PC?
Do Direct to Mobile downloads work on all phones and networks?
Can people buy my tracks with their mobile in different countries?
Do my tracks have to be downloaded to count in the official charts?
How is the 7 Day Chart calculated?
Is there an extra charge for Pre-release tracks?
Can I cancel my Pre-Release and make my track Active whenever I want?
Can a user obtain a Direct to Mobile download on Pre-Release?
How much do I get paid for each track?
Why do I not get paid the full amount that I sold the track for?
How do I know how many tracks I have sold?
How do I know how many tracks have been downloaded?
Why do you charge so much for a cheque payment?
All of my accounts were set up before the sub accounts functionality became available. What can I do?
How do I add a track?
Once you have registered here, go to the login page and login. When you have logged in, you will see a menu with links to categories like Music and Gigs. Click on the link 'Add Track' under Music to begin adding tracks.
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How soon does my track go on sale?
As soon as you upload it.
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How many tracks can I add?
You can add as many tracks, gigs and tickets as you wish. Please note that a charge applies to each track that is uploaded. This charge is only payable after you have made some sales, and is deducted from any sales revenue that is due to you. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more details.
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What format do my tracks have to be in?
Your tracks must be in MP3 format.
Back to top
Can my tracks be DRM-enabled?
Its better than they are DRM free. Otherwise, users won't be able to play them.
Back to top
Do I have to make a preview?
No. When you upload your track, we make a preview for you. A new preview is made if you change the MP3 file associated with a track at a later date.
Back to top
Why do the images I uploaded not look right?
We crop, centre and resize images to fit with the design of our pages. If you want an image to appear exactly as you have uploaded it, you should upload an image that has square dimensions. This means that the length and height of the image should be the same. The size of the images as they appear on our pages is 214px x 214px.
Back to top
Can I set the price of my track myself?
No. We do not have control over the amount that is charged to a users mobile bill, so the charge has to be fixed according to the tariffs provided by the mobile operators.
Back to top
Can I use a word instead or a number to sell my track by SMS?
Yes. You can chose a word (max. 9 characters) to replace your track id in the SMS instructions you pass on to your fans.
For example, if your track is called "A Hard Day's Night" you could chose a word like "hard" to replace you track id. The SMS instruction would then be:
text 'track hard' to 80818
Please note that a charge applies when you use a word instead of a track id. This charge is deducted from any earnings that are due to you.
Please also note that words are only reserved for 6 months after they are added to a track, and that after this period, the word becomes available to other artists to use.
If you do chose to use a word, it will still be possible for fans to buy your track using the track id for as long as your track is available for sale on the system, both during the period the word is in use and afterwards.
Once you have chosen a word, and you have sold a track with that word, it is not possible to change the word or cancel the use of the word.
Back to top
How does someone buy my track?
Each track has an ID. The user texts the keyword and the track ID to the shortcode advertised on the site. We send the user a PIN or a Mobile Downoad link by return SMS.
Back to top
Fans are trying to buy my track, but when they send the text, they are not getting any response?
99.999% of the time this happens because the user hasn't correctly composed the text message.
If the user does not include the 'track' keyword, or doesn't spell it correctly, their message will not get to our systems, which means we cannot act on it.
Users may also enter incorrect tracks id, or include extra, illegal characters in their texts, which can also cause problems.
Back to top
How does someone download my track to their phone?
A user can choose to have an internet link sent directly to their phone by inserting m after their text message.
e.g.
'track 120 m', instead of just 'track 120'
When they open this link, their phone will be directed to a a special page which contains both a download link for their track and other important information and abouting downloading the track directly to their phone.
Back to top
Users are reporting that Direct to Mobile downloads aren't working, or are timing out. What is wrong?
A Direct to Mobile download transfers a large MP3 file from the Internet to the user's phone, so they need to have a modern phone and be in an area that has 3G data coverage. If they do not have 3G data coverage, the track will take a long time to download, and may time out repeatedly.
Back to top
Is it very expensive to download a track to a phone?
This depends on the price plan of the user. If the user does not have an Internet browsing package included in their price plan, it can be very expensive. The user is warned about this before they begin downloading the track.
Back to top
Can a user download to both their phone and their PC?
If a user chooses the direct phone download option, they are also given instructions about downloading the track to their PC.
If they do not choose this option, they are only given instructions for PC download.
Back to top
Do Direct to Mobile downloads work on all phones and networks?
Direct to Mobile downloads require WAP support to work. Most phones support WAP, but there are some notable exceptions. For instance, the Apple iPhone does not support WAP. Some networks do not support WAP either. However, if a user is on a network or handset that does not support WAP, and attempts a Direct to Mobile download, they will not be charged.
Back to top
Can people buy my tracks with their mobile in other counties?
No, this service only works in the UK.
Back to top
Do my sales count towards the official charts?
Sales of tracks on our sites count towards the Official Charts in the UK (Official Chart Company)
Back to top
Do my tracks have to be downloaded to count towards the official charts?
Yes.
Furthermore, only 1 download per track per user is counted. It is not possible to rig the charts using our services.
Back to top
How is the 7 Day Chart calculated?
The 7 Day Chart is calculated according to sales from Fri 15:01 to the following Fri 15:00.
All sales are counted in this Chart. A purchased track does not need to be downloaded to be included in our 7 Day Chart.
Back to top
How do I pre-release my track?
If you'd like your fans to be able to pre-order your track, set the Status of your Track to Pre-release and choose the date and time on which you would like it to become available for download.
Users who buy the track prior to this time and date will be sent a text saying that their purchase has been recorded and that they will be sent a reminder notice when it becomes available for download.
At the Pre-release time and date, a reminder text is sent to all users who have the track on pre-order. This text will include download instructions.
The status of your track is automactically changed at this time from Pre-release to Active, so that any future purchases occur normally.
Back to top
Is there an extra charge for Pre-release tracks?
There is a small charge (approx 5% of the purchase price of the track) for each reminder we have to send. This is deducted from your sales revenue when you seek payment.
Back to top
Can I cancel my Pre-Release and make my track Active whenever I want?
If you change the status of a track from Pre-Release to Active before its Pre-Release time and date, reminder messages to users who have purchased your track on pre-release will not be sent.
If you wish to cancel a Pre-Release, please contact support@textatrack.co.uk.
Back to top
Can a user obtain a Direct to Mobile download on Pre-Release?
Yes. If a track is on Pre Release, and the user requests a Direct To Mobile download, that user will be sent a download link in their reminder txt.
Back to top
How much do I get paid for each track?
Your share of the sale depends on numerous factors. See our Terms and Conditions for more details.
Back to top
Why do I not get paid the full amount that I sold the track for?
SMS payment systems operate on the basis that the mobile operator takes a portion of the charge to the user. Fees also have to be paid to the bank that processes credit card sales. We also take a small portion of the fee to cover our costs. See our Terms and Conditions for more details.
Back to top
How do I know how many tracks I have sold?
When you login, click on Manage Tracks under Music for all details about your products, sales and downloads.
Back to top
How do I know how many tracks have been downloaded?
When you login, click on Manage Tracks under Music for all details about your tracks, sales and downloads.
Back to top
When and how do I get paid?
You can request payment at any time by emailing us at info@textatrack.co.uk.
When you reach a certain minimum level of sales, we will contact you and ask you to request payment.
Payment is made by Bank Draft or PayPal, depending on your preference. Payments by Bank Draft will incur an additional fee. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more details.
Back to top
Why do you charge so much for a cheque payment?
We process lots of small payments.
If we had to process a cheque payment for each of these, it would consume a considerable amount of our continually limited resources.
As such, we like to encourage people to use the PayPal option. Its very simple to set up a PayPal account. You don't need a credit card, and PayPal will transfer funds to your bank account within 48 hours in most cases.
Using PayPal also allows both us and artists to maintain a verifiable record of payments, which helps in terms of resolving disputes (even though we've never had any).
For large payments (> £500) we do waive our cheque fee.
Back to top
I own a label. Can I manage multpile artists with one account?
Yes.
Each account on our system can have an unlimited number of sub accounts. When you are logged in to your primary account, you can switch between sub accounts and manage the tracks that have been added to those sub accounts.
You can also transfer ownership of your sub accounts to another user, or transfer a main account to another main account, where it becomes a sub account of that main account.
Please note that you cannot transfer a main account while there are sub accounts attached to that account.
Back to top
All of my accounts were set up before the sub accounts functionality became available. What can I do?
In this case, you need to login to each of your accounts and transfer ownership of them to one main account. You can set up a new main account for this, or designate one of your existing acccounts as your main account.
To transfer an account to a main accounts, you need to know the account ID of the main account. You can determine this by logging into that account. The ID is given in the Switcher box on the top of the page.
Back to top
What if I want to stop using the site?
Just email us at support@textatrack.co.uk and we'll disable your account.
Back to top
Questions?: support@textatrack.co.uk
Adding Tracks
How do I add a track?
How soon does my track go on sale?
How many tracks can I add?
What format do my tracks have to be in?
Can my tracks be DRM-enabled?
Do I have to make a preview?
Why do the images I uploaded not look right?
Can I set the price of my track myself?
Can I use a word instead of a number to sell my track by SMS?
Buying Tracks
How does someone buy my track?Fans are trying to buy my track, but when they send the text, they are not getting any response?
How does someone download my track to their phone?
Users are reporting that Direct to Mobile downloads aren't working, or are timing out. What is wrong?
Is it very expensive to download a track to a phone?
Can a user download to both their phone and their PC?
Do Direct to Mobile downloads work on all phones and networks?
Can people buy my tracks with their mobile in different countries?
The Charts
Do my sales count towards the official charts?Do my tracks have to be downloaded to count in the official charts?
How is the 7 Day Chart calculated?
Pre-Releases
How do I pre-release my track?Is there an extra charge for Pre-release tracks?
Can I cancel my Pre-Release and make my track Active whenever I want?
Can a user obtain a Direct to Mobile download on Pre-Release?
Getting Paid
When and how do I get paid?How much do I get paid for each track?
Why do I not get paid the full amount that I sold the track for?
How do I know how many tracks I have sold?
How do I know how many tracks have been downloaded?
Why do you charge so much for a cheque payment?
Sub Accounts
I own a label. Can I manage multiple artists with one account?All of my accounts were set up before the sub accounts functionality became available. What can I do?
I want to stop using the service
What if I want to stop using the site?How do I add a track?
Once you have registered here, go to the login page and login. When you have logged in, you will see a menu with links to categories like Music and Gigs. Click on the link 'Add Track' under Music to begin adding tracks.
Back to top
How soon does my track go on sale?
As soon as you upload it.
Back to top
How many tracks can I add?
You can add as many tracks, gigs and tickets as you wish. Please note that a charge applies to each track that is uploaded. This charge is only payable after you have made some sales, and is deducted from any sales revenue that is due to you. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more details.
Back to top
What format do my tracks have to be in?
Your tracks must be in MP3 format.
Back to top
Can my tracks be DRM-enabled?
Its better than they are DRM free. Otherwise, users won't be able to play them.
Back to top
Do I have to make a preview?
No. When you upload your track, we make a preview for you. A new preview is made if you change the MP3 file associated with a track at a later date.
Back to top
Why do the images I uploaded not look right?
We crop, centre and resize images to fit with the design of our pages. If you want an image to appear exactly as you have uploaded it, you should upload an image that has square dimensions. This means that the length and height of the image should be the same. The size of the images as they appear on our pages is 214px x 214px.
Back to top
Can I set the price of my track myself?
No. We do not have control over the amount that is charged to a users mobile bill, so the charge has to be fixed according to the tariffs provided by the mobile operators.
Back to top
Can I use a word instead or a number to sell my track by SMS?
Yes. You can chose a word (max. 9 characters) to replace your track id in the SMS instructions you pass on to your fans.
For example, if your track is called "A Hard Day's Night" you could chose a word like "hard" to replace you track id. The SMS instruction would then be:
text 'track hard' to 80818
Please note that a charge applies when you use a word instead of a track id. This charge is deducted from any earnings that are due to you.
Please also note that words are only reserved for 6 months after they are added to a track, and that after this period, the word becomes available to other artists to use.
If you do chose to use a word, it will still be possible for fans to buy your track using the track id for as long as your track is available for sale on the system, both during the period the word is in use and afterwards.
Once you have chosen a word, and you have sold a track with that word, it is not possible to change the word or cancel the use of the word.
Back to top
How does someone buy my track?
Each track has an ID. The user texts the keyword and the track ID to the shortcode advertised on the site. We send the user a PIN or a Mobile Downoad link by return SMS.
Back to top
Fans are trying to buy my track, but when they send the text, they are not getting any response?
99.999% of the time this happens because the user hasn't correctly composed the text message.
If the user does not include the 'track' keyword, or doesn't spell it correctly, their message will not get to our systems, which means we cannot act on it.
Users may also enter incorrect tracks id, or include extra, illegal characters in their texts, which can also cause problems.
Back to top
How does someone download my track to their phone?
A user can choose to have an internet link sent directly to their phone by inserting m after their text message.
e.g.
'track 120 m', instead of just 'track 120'
When they open this link, their phone will be directed to a a special page which contains both a download link for their track and other important information and abouting downloading the track directly to their phone.
Back to top
Users are reporting that Direct to Mobile downloads aren't working, or are timing out. What is wrong?
A Direct to Mobile download transfers a large MP3 file from the Internet to the user's phone, so they need to have a modern phone and be in an area that has 3G data coverage. If they do not have 3G data coverage, the track will take a long time to download, and may time out repeatedly.
Back to top
Is it very expensive to download a track to a phone?
This depends on the price plan of the user. If the user does not have an Internet browsing package included in their price plan, it can be very expensive. The user is warned about this before they begin downloading the track.
Back to top
Can a user download to both their phone and their PC?
If a user chooses the direct phone download option, they are also given instructions about downloading the track to their PC.
If they do not choose this option, they are only given instructions for PC download.
Back to top
Do Direct to Mobile downloads work on all phones and networks?
Direct to Mobile downloads require WAP support to work. Most phones support WAP, but there are some notable exceptions. For instance, the Apple iPhone does not support WAP. Some networks do not support WAP either. However, if a user is on a network or handset that does not support WAP, and attempts a Direct to Mobile download, they will not be charged.
Back to top
Can people buy my tracks with their mobile in other counties?
No, this service only works in the UK.
Back to top
Do my sales count towards the official charts?
Sales of tracks on our sites count towards the Official Charts in the UK (Official Chart Company)
Back to top
Do my tracks have to be downloaded to count towards the official charts?
Yes.
Furthermore, only 1 download per track per user is counted. It is not possible to rig the charts using our services.
Back to top
How is the 7 Day Chart calculated?
The 7 Day Chart is calculated according to sales from Fri 15:01 to the following Fri 15:00.
All sales are counted in this Chart. A purchased track does not need to be downloaded to be included in our 7 Day Chart.
Back to top
How do I pre-release my track?
If you'd like your fans to be able to pre-order your track, set the Status of your Track to Pre-release and choose the date and time on which you would like it to become available for download.
Users who buy the track prior to this time and date will be sent a text saying that their purchase has been recorded and that they will be sent a reminder notice when it becomes available for download.
At the Pre-release time and date, a reminder text is sent to all users who have the track on pre-order. This text will include download instructions.
The status of your track is automactically changed at this time from Pre-release to Active, so that any future purchases occur normally.
Back to top
Is there an extra charge for Pre-release tracks?
There is a small charge (approx 5% of the purchase price of the track) for each reminder we have to send. This is deducted from your sales revenue when you seek payment.
Back to top
Can I cancel my Pre-Release and make my track Active whenever I want?
If you change the status of a track from Pre-Release to Active before its Pre-Release time and date, reminder messages to users who have purchased your track on pre-release will not be sent.
If you wish to cancel a Pre-Release, please contact support@textatrack.co.uk.
Back to top
Can a user obtain a Direct to Mobile download on Pre-Release?
Yes. If a track is on Pre Release, and the user requests a Direct To Mobile download, that user will be sent a download link in their reminder txt.
Back to top
How much do I get paid for each track?
Your share of the sale depends on numerous factors. See our Terms and Conditions for more details.
Back to top
Why do I not get paid the full amount that I sold the track for?
SMS payment systems operate on the basis that the mobile operator takes a portion of the charge to the user. Fees also have to be paid to the bank that processes credit card sales. We also take a small portion of the fee to cover our costs. See our Terms and Conditions for more details.
Back to top
How do I know how many tracks I have sold?
When you login, click on Manage Tracks under Music for all details about your products, sales and downloads.
Back to top
How do I know how many tracks have been downloaded?
When you login, click on Manage Tracks under Music for all details about your tracks, sales and downloads.
Back to top
When and how do I get paid?
You can request payment at any time by emailing us at info@textatrack.co.uk.
When you reach a certain minimum level of sales, we will contact you and ask you to request payment.
Payment is made by Bank Draft or PayPal, depending on your preference. Payments by Bank Draft will incur an additional fee. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more details.
Back to top
Why do you charge so much for a cheque payment?
We process lots of small payments.
If we had to process a cheque payment for each of these, it would consume a considerable amount of our continually limited resources.
As such, we like to encourage people to use the PayPal option. Its very simple to set up a PayPal account. You don't need a credit card, and PayPal will transfer funds to your bank account within 48 hours in most cases.
Using PayPal also allows both us and artists to maintain a verifiable record of payments, which helps in terms of resolving disputes (even though we've never had any).
For large payments (> £500) we do waive our cheque fee.
Back to top
I own a label. Can I manage multpile artists with one account?
Yes.
Each account on our system can have an unlimited number of sub accounts. When you are logged in to your primary account, you can switch between sub accounts and manage the tracks that have been added to those sub accounts.
You can also transfer ownership of your sub accounts to another user, or transfer a main account to another main account, where it becomes a sub account of that main account.
Please note that you cannot transfer a main account while there are sub accounts attached to that account.
Back to top
All of my accounts were set up before the sub accounts functionality became available. What can I do?
In this case, you need to login to each of your accounts and transfer ownership of them to one main account. You can set up a new main account for this, or designate one of your existing acccounts as your main account.
To transfer an account to a main accounts, you need to know the account ID of the main account. You can determine this by logging into that account. The ID is given in the Switcher box on the top of the page.
Back to top
What if I want to stop using the site?
Just email us at support@textatrack.co.uk and we'll disable your account.
Back to top
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