PLUGO.LA

General Artist Questions

Q: How Much Does PLUGOLA Cost?
A: PLUGOLA is totally FREE to sign-up and use, however; PLUGOLA takes a very small percentage of each download that is purchased. There are NO subscription fees, NO service fees, NO credits to purchase and absolutely NO hidden fees to you, or to any of our members.

Q: Why should I join PLUGOLA?
A: PLUGOLA allows musicians and fans to connect directly. Besides being able to distribute your music and videos digitally, our community capabilities are what set us apart. PLUGOLA allows the entire network to get involved in the ratings, reviews, promotions and sales of your music, putting you and the fans in control. Our unique plugging feature allows your fans to 'Plug' (sell) your music on their own PLUGOLA Player. This will place your music on many different sites and pages offering your music a much wider audience.

Q: How much money can I make using PLUGOLA?
A: The sky is the limit! It really depends on what you put into it. Not only can you set your own prices, we have developed the tools to help you promote your music, both online and off. PLUGOLA also offers the highest commissions in the industry, paying you 82% of all download sales you generate.

Q: How much can I charge for my MP3s/Videos?
A: Ultimately, the choice is up to you. The minimum price you must charge is $.40 per track. This is to ensure that you get at least something for your work and PLUGOLA breaks-even. The maximum price is your choice, but please keep in mind what the public is accustomed to paying for download tracks from major artists.

Q: Can I give away free downloads?
A: Yes, but at this time it's somewhat restricted. Once you have content uploaded and you have accessed your "Account', by setting your "Promo" on any of your MP3s). This will allow your fans or new members you bring in with your 'Coupon' to download your 'Promo' songs for free. This is optional, though. You do not have to participate in the 'Promo' downloads. (see 'How To' page for more info

Q: How often do I get paid by PLUGOLA?
A: You will be paid after you have earned $25 or more and PLUGOLA has received payments for the tracks sold. We deposit your sales dollars on a monthly basis into the bank account you provide us. If your earnings do not exceed $25, the balance will be rolled over to the following months until you reach the $25 minimum. PLUGOLA pays out through either bank transfer or PayPal (whichever you prefer) and will handle all transactions for you. Our software will automatically split funds and commissions according to your settings. Please see our ARTIST TERMS for detailed info.

Q: Is my bank account information safe with PLUGOLA?
A: Yes. We only use your bank account information to electronically transfer money owed to you or money due to us. We will notify you when such a transfer occurs. We use industry standard security practices, with all information stored on our secure servers and never share that information with third parties, unless required by law.

Q: Can I Bulk Email Market my music?
A: Yes, but only using your own mailing list! Most bulk email marketing campaigns are considered 'SPAM'. We do not tolerate spam of any kind. However, marketing/promoting your music on PLUGOLA using your own mailing list, newsletter, etc. IS acceptable.

Q: What does PLUGOLA consider 'SPAM'?
A: For those of you unfamiliar with the term, "SPAM"; it is unsolicited commercial advertisements usually sent through email, posted on message boards, and so on. We want you to spread the word about your music as much as possible, but you must be respectful of others and genral web guidelines. We consider SPAM to be unsolicited bulk email campaigns, posting your PLUGOLA links on any websites that do not allow it and mass postings of links and/or your embeddable media player.

Q: Can any musician use PLUGOLA?
A: Yes! All genres of music are welcome. Plus, we developed this website so musicians at any level, at any stage of their career (or former career) can use PLUGOLA to make their catalog available to their fans and friends, and easily maintain an online presence. Minimal computer experience is needed to create and manage your profile page and media player/store.

Q: Must I have commercially available audio recordings to sign up with PLUGOLA?
A: No. You can sign up with PLUGOLA as long as you own or control the rights to distribute the audio and video.

Q: What if my content is already being distributed by other retailers, such as iTunes, Napster and/or others?
A: No problem. PLUGOLA's contract is non-exclusive, so you can work with whomever else you like!

Q: What if I am already signed up to an aggregator
A: As long as you are not in an exclusive deal with them, you may also use PLUGOLA.

Q: What if I am already signed with a record label?
A: You should speak with your label rep before uploading any music or videos that may be contracted with them. However, any material that is not under contract may be uploaded and distributed.

Q: What if I sign with a record label in the future?
A: If you retain the rights to any of your master recordings, you will not need to make changes on those tracks. For masters that fall under your new label's contract, those tracks would have to be registered with PLUGOLA by your new label. If your new label is already using PLUGOLA to promote and distribute music, you may not need to make many changes! If your label is not currently using PLUGOLA, get them on board! We could help them quite a bit.

Q: Do I need to be registered with ASCAP, BMI or SESEAC to join PLUGOLA?
A: No. You can sign up with PLUGOLA as long as you own and control the right to distribute the audio and video recordings.

Q: What if I am part of a musical group or band with more than one songwriter owning the recording rights, can I still sign up?
A: By signing up with PLUGOLA it is understood by agreeing to the 'terms of service' that you are the authorized representative of all the right holders. It will be your responsibility to compensate them as that agreement dictates.

Q: Must I have a UPC and/or an ISRC for the audio content I intend to register with PLUGOLA?
A: You only need a UPC code if you intend to distribute your sound recordings as an album (rather than individual tracks). PLUGOLA currently does not have the option for adding a UPC or an ISRC. However, plans to add this feature for record labels is currently in the works.

Q: What file formats does PLUGOLA accept?
A: For audio, currently you may only upload MP3s, while you may upload videos in WMV, AVI and MPEG. We are working to allow other formats to make your experience as simple as possible.

Q: Does PLUGOLA use DRM on content?
A: PLUGOLA offers no DRM, which allows you to play your content on just about any device. the PLUGOLA Player currently only supports tracks sold in MP3 format and videos in WMV, MPEG and AVI format.

Q: Where do I upload my music and/or videos?
A: Once logged-in as a member, you will see the 'Upload' button in the top navigation of the website. There you will be able to create albums, set your own prices per download and upload your content directly from your hard drive/computer.

Q: Who has control over my music/copyrighted material located on PLUGOLA?
A: Only You. By uploading your content, you are ONLY giving PLUGOLA the non-exclusive rights to digitally distribute your music/videos through our platform and website. In no way are you forfeiting any ownership/control rights when using PLUGOLA. You set your own prices, you control your own affiliate program, you maintain your online presence.

Q: What is the PLUGOLA Player?
A: Through this player you can sell/buy music and videos using our one-click process. User's information will be saved upon sign-up(or in their 'Account') to provide fast, easy access to the to your music. Your PLUGOLA Player is available on your personal profile, and a simple HTML copy & paste code is provided that allows you to sell your content all over the Internet (artist page, your PLUGOLA community, your own website, other community sites, blogs, etc.)

Q: Where do I manage my PLUGOLA Player?
A: You must log into your 'Accounts' page, where you can manage your player, plugs, accounting info and all your content.

Q: My 'Account' Is Asking Me For Login Info. What Is My Login?
A: To login to your 'Account', you must use the same login info you use for the website, however; it's case sensitive for 'Account' access. This is your most important, personal and private page as a member. Although your 'Account' page is 100% secure, we use this double-login as an extra security precaution. (We will have a 'change password' option available soon)

Q: What Is This "PLUGGING" Feature?
A: Once you have purchased content and logged into your 'Account', some may have a button next to it that reads "PLUG". This means that, upon approval by artist, you may resell these songs/videos in your own PLUGOLA media player, located on your personal profile. In return, you will earn a commission, set by artist. Just click the "PLUG" button and this will automatically send a request to the artist. If the artist approves your request, that file will automatically appear in your Plugola Player. If the artists declines or decides not to make content available for "PLUG" (this could be for many reasons), a "Not Available" message will appear next to file.

Q: Who is behind PLUGOLA?
A: Www.plugo.la is owned and operated by PLUGOLA, INC. in Chicago, Illinois, USA. You can find more info on us and our company by visiting our Contact and/or About Us page(s).

Q: I Just Purchased Content. Where Is It?
A: Once you purchase an MP3 and/or video in any of the PLUGOLA media player(s)/widget(s), they will be available for download in your 'Account'. Depending on the artist, your purchase may also be available to "PLUG".

Q: Who handles accounting and royalty distribution?
A: PLUGOLA handles the back-end and collects money from affiliates who PLUG your content and paying curomers. PLUGOLA provides you with the ability to track your sales online, and pays you when the content is sold, thru direct bank transfer or to your paypal account.

Q: I live outside the USA, can I still sign-up for a PLUGOLA account?
A: Absolutely. However, we currently can only accept payment and pay-out in U.S. Dollars. If that does not work for you, please bookmark us and come back later. We are working on ways to accept and pay in other international funds.