The Truth About Music Sales

It’s time to discuss making money from music sales, but it's important to understand that it's unlikely to be a substantial amount sufficient for a living. Here’s why.

Producers Have Unrealistic Expectations

Many producers have unrealistic expectations regarding music sales. A typical scenario is as follows:
A young and talented producer submits their tracks to a reputable record label, and the label accepts them. The producer is thrilled because this has been their dream. After months of excitement and anticipation, the release finally happens and climbs into Beatport’s Top-10. Wow, what a success!

Six months later, the artist receives a royalty statement with a total payable amount of $50. "What, just fifty bucks? No way, my release was on top charts! The label screwed me!" the artist thinks. They begin to blame the label, believing the statement is false and that the 'greedy label took all the credit and left them with no money.' The music industry now seems unfair to them, and eventually, they give up their music career.

The worst and saddest part of this story is that it actually happens to many producers. I even know a few people who have thought this way.

Beatport Top-100 is Overrated

First, let’s dispel the myth about Beatport charts: it only takes about 30 sales to get into the Top-100. Yes, not millions, not thousands, not even hundreds—just a couple of dozen sales, and you’re in the Top-100.
Subtract taxes, Beatport’s cut, the distributor’s cut, the label’s share, mastering fees, artwork fees, and you'll be lucky to even get those fifty bucks. So, the next time you see your release in the Top-100, it’s certainly nice, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be a millionaire. It’s overrated.

The High Point

If you plan to release your debut album and quit your 'normal' job because you expect a decent income from sales, I strongly suggest reconsidering this plan because it’s not going to happen.

I’m sorry to share this news. I know some may find it uncomfortable and even depressing. But what’s even more depressing is seeing incredibly talented producers quit their music careers because they didn’t get money from music sales, which in reality were simply too high and wrong expectations in the first place.

Thoughs?

What do you think?, I would like to read your opinion.

Take care.

Israel Toledo