Avoiding Rip-Offs in the Music Business

Don't Pay to Play

These are some of the worst and most common hoaxes because they seem so benign but they can easily cost you a lot of money without getting you anywhere. They tend to disguise themselves in the form of some sort of legitimate opportunity from a legitimate business whether it be getting your song played on the radio, getting you a record deal, or letting you play a showcase in front of a big time A&R rep. The common thread though is that they will all ask you for money to get access. With the exception of membership-based organizations like ASCAP or The Recording Academy, press, marketing, or radio promotion agencies, or a qualified professional industry consultant (determining that requires research though), there are hardly any legitimate music businesses that will charge you in order to get access to a career opportunity (and honestly the aforementioned companies aren't charging you for access, they're charging for their services- but I didn't want to confuse anyone into thinking they are not legitimate businesses because they cost money). Many of these scams offer you what sounds like the chance of a lifetime, and some will even go through a process of choosing only a handful of participants to make it seem more promising, but that is not how the music industry operates. In fact, most contracts will offer you an advance (money in advance of any sales), not the other way around. Many people in the music industry make money by getting a percent of the artist's earnings based on their work together. If that is not the case it should be a serious red flag.

Trust Your Instincts

If something doesn't feel right for whatever reason, you're probably right. Don't risk it even if it seems like an amazing opportunity. If it seems to good to be true, it mostly likely is.

Ask Questions

Asking questions tends to be a good way to get someone who is trying to swindle you to start to feel nervous. If you ask too many questions they'll be more inclined to leave you alone because they'll realize you're not going to fall for it. Ask if you can speak to former participants. Ask them to name some of their former success stories. Ask about what the next steps of the program are and those thereafter. Ask them what exactly your money goes towards and exactly what you will get in return. Ask for names of key employees, look them up online, and ask if you can speak with them. Better yet, tell them you want to have any legal language reviewed by an attorney.

Google It

The Internet is an amazing tool for sharing information, including those about scams. Now, when someone has been cheated, they are likely to take to the Internet to warn other people about it. Find as much information as you can; search the name of the program along with the word "scam." If you can find out names of employees, past clients, and any success stories and look them up too to determine if they've had any real experience in the music industry.

Get Educated

The more you know about how the music industry works, who does what, and how they get paid, the harder it will be for someone to trick you.