Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork...

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:38 pm

..and billing, as I just read in another thread. This leads me to my next in a long line of questions as I prepare to take my studio to the next level of business.

Do any of you have your clients sign anything before working with them? For example a payment agreement, terms of service, legal rights of ownership, etc?

I've drafted a Client Data Sheet in order to spell out the expectations on both parties. Along wiht the client contact information, it states the requested services (ie LP vs EP recording, single song, live recording, etc.) as well as my accepted terms of payment. I have yet to get my lawyer to proof read it, but I don't want to scare or intimidate a potential client, either, by something that looks too "legal"!

Also, what is the best practice of accepting payment on projects? My idea was, for smaller projects such as singles or EP's, I would accept payment before the mixed product is released. For larger and more time-consuming projects, I would request 50% before mixdown and the remainder before release of the final product. I'm obviously new to the business end of recording, so how do you do it?

Any suggestions are always appreciated!

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 3:43 pm

backinthelab wrote:

..and billing, as I just read in another thread. This leads me to my next in a long line of questions as I prepare to take my studio to the next level of business.

Do any of you have your clients sign anything before working with them? For example a payment agreement, terms of service, legal rights of ownership, etc?

I've drafted a Client Data Sheet in order to spell out the expectations on both parties. Along wiht the client contact information, it states the requested services (ie LP vs EP recording, single song, live recording, etc.) as well as my accepted terms of payment. I have yet to get my lawyer to proof read it, but I don't want to scare or intimidate a potential client, either, by something that looks too "legal"!

Also, what is the best practice of accepting payment on projects? My idea was, for smaller projects such as singles or EP's, I would accept payment before the mixed product is released. For larger and more time-consuming projects, I would request 50% before mixdown and the remainder before release of the final product. I'm obviously new to the business end of recording, so how do you do it?

Any suggestions are always appreciated!

I wouldn't worry as much about legal contracts so much as I would making sure I got 1/2 or 1/3 of the fee up front. Put stuff in writing if you want, but don't start work until money hits the table, IMHO.

What type of clients do you have? That will really determine whether or not they'll put up with the "herein referred to as" papers.

~S

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 3:53 pm

I just keep it simple (KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid!). 25% to hold the studio time and nothing leaves the studio until until final payment is made.

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 4:07 pm

[quote="TheRealShotgun"]

backinthelab wrote:

.What type of clients do you have? That will really determine whether or not they'll put up with the "herein referred to as" papers.

~S

HA! Well, mostly friends or friends of friends at the moment. I've been doing this for about six years now and finally decided to make some investments in gear, build up a very nice basement studio, and get serious. That's why I want to make sure that I'm covered and that my future clients know what to expect. I am not, at this time, willing to work with the hip-hop crowd due to previous problems. I was robbed of all my gear and more a few years ago and still haven't regained my trust in that regard.

On another note, keeping it simple seems the logical way to go. I've devised some different type of rate schedules, so that's where the complications may come into play. For example, a flat rate per song that may warrant 1 hour or 10, depending on the needs of the customer. Also, will the 25% "booking" fee cover you with a deadbeat client?

I was just curious if it was common for a studio to have any documents that may help with, among other things, collection if someone decides not to pay as well as rights of ownership. My other business deals strictly with the automotive world where everything upon everything is documented. Maybe I'm overthinking this?

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:39 pm

For me it's a question of how badly you want the business. If you are just starting out and hustling to get clients, you'll probably be willing to cut more slack than someone who is in high demand and can charge a premium.

Having said that, you should let people take advantage of you; if a client keeps having problems, then be clear with them about what your expectations are, ie, "you'll get your data when you are paid in full."

But this stuff is good to think about. Check out websites for studios, many of them have their policies posted there. That'll get you started with some ideas.

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:44 am

JWL wrote:

For me it's a question of how badly you want the business. If you are just starting out and hustling to get clients, you'll probably be willing to cut more slack than someone who is in high demand and can charge a premium.

Having said that, you should let people take advantage of you; if a client keeps having problems, then be clear with them about what your expectations are, ie, "you'll get your data when you are paid in full."

But this stuff is good to think about. Check out websites for studios, many of them have their policies posted there. That'll get you started with some ideas.

I'm not about cutting too much slack. This is what got me robbed in the first place. Trust is a very small part of the business model and I plan to keep it that way.

I'm hoping you meant that I "shouldn't" let people take advantage.

I'll look around, but most studio sites I've come across have the standard "rates very by service" disclaimer.

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