FAQ
Can I prepare my sheet music and books for digital distribution on my own? Yes, our digital asset management system which you can access as a client from our website is a multitenant application. This makes it easy for you to upload your data and describe it and even to distribute it to certain shops.
Can Roba scann my sheet music and books?
Most of our clients send us their data for their books and sheet music in an electronic format like pdf, tiff etc… We can anyhow also scan in your sheet music and books without any additional costs.
What can I do if I own the publishing right but do not have any printed sheet music?
In this case we could set up the sheet music for the specific song for you without any costs. Please keep also in mind that in the case of many publishers participating in a song one of those publishers might have a sheet music that he licenses to us. In this case it is sufficient for you if you sign a contract with us to participate in sales of this song according to your share in the copyright.
Can I offer my sheet music and books also in print on demand outlets and online shops?
Yes we are happy to offer you the ability to have printed sheet music and books on demand. Please keep in mind that most online shops like e.g. Amazon™ pod will only accept books that have more than seven pages for their print on demand program. There could also be a small set up fee. Please ask us for print on demand possibilities.
Can Roba build my own shop?
We are happy to offer you the possibility to build your own shop for you. This can be a white label shop on your website (in your CI) or we can offer you a widget which you can apply to your existing website.
Can Roba build folios and (song-)books?
Yes, our advanced software offers us the possibility to create e.g. folios from various single sheet music notes.
How do you calculate royalties?
The calculation and royalty distribution will be done like this: Roba gets from a digital shop a certain royalty for every single sold sheet music or book. After Roba has deducted a small share for its digital distribution (which will be concluded in our contract) we pay out the full rest of the money without any further deduction to the rights owner.
If there is more than one publisher with a share in this song, Roba will pay out the monies in accordance to the share that they have in this song.
If Roba puts together folios or songbooks the publishers will be paid as to their pro rata share.
Why should I sell my sheet music and books on digital stores?
Selling your sheet music and books on digital music stores is both a way to expose your sheet music and books to a worldwide audience of music and book lovers and a new source of income. The e-book market is one of the fastest growing segments in the entertainment market. Gadgets like the Apple Ipod™ or the Amazon Kindle™ have brought immense speed to the development.
For sheet music and books no longer available physically, digital distribution can be a significant new source of income.
Is digital distribution compatible with the physical distribution of my sheet music and books?
Yes. We work with a number of music publishers whose sheet music and books are being distributed physically by themselves or other distributors. We focus on what we do best: digital distribution.
Why should I choose Roba as a partner for my digital distribution?
Because of our commitment: a dedicated professional at your service who will work with you to build the appropriate digital development strategy for your sheet music & books. All of our professionals have a solid experience in the music and book business and a strong knowledge of the digital world.
We are one of the leading digital distributors in Europe for sheet music and music books thanks to the quality and the extent of our distribution network. As a philosophy, we prefer to have control over our own technology and distribution network. Not relying on any third party allows us to digitize your sheets and books for online fast.
Large online shops only work with a limited number of partners and often refuse to distribute small amounts of sheet music and books due to lack of time and volume. We offer you a real «one stop solution» for digital distribution and promotion – allowing you to focus on your publishing business.
How much do you charge? What type of contract do you offer? Whom should I contact to receive a contract proposal?
There are no costs! We digitize (if you want us to), store, encode and distribute without any costs for you! Roba Digital receives a small percentage of the sales generated by your sheet music and books. As our income is linked to your success, we do our best to increase your sales.
To receive a contract proposal, please contact via the contact form on our website.
How long will I have to wait before my sheet music or book is online?
Once we have received the contract, the sheet music or books and the related information, the digitalization and the delivery to the various stores takes about 48 hours (a little bit more if we have to scan the sheet music or books by ourselves in case we do not receive files like pdf etc from you). It can then take between 3 and 8 weeks for your sheet music and books to be available for sale. We cannot speed up the second process as the handling of the digital stores is not in our sphere of influence. Some digital stores are faster than others.
How do you promote the sheet music and books?
Our people will build a digital distribution strategy with you. It is very important that you keep us informed of all your own press kits and promotional coverage. The more we know, the better we can market your sheet music and books. We can coordinate local or worldwide promotions.
Where can I access my royalty reports?
We provide you with access to a personal client area on our website where you can monitor sales and manage your catalogue. Royalties are paid to you by bank transfer.
I already distribute some of my sheet music or books directly with specific stores. Would you still accept to distribute my music?
It is possible to exclude selected shops from our service. In this a case, we will handle services for which you do not already have an existing agreement.
What happens if I have signed a contract with other sheet music distributors?
This is often no problem. Please check what kind of rights you have given away. Often these rights are non-exklusive or not for the digital area. If you have licensed the right for sheet music to one party another party might be able to license if new graphical sheet music is created.
Ten Simple steps to distribute your sheet music and books digitally:
- Request for distribution (send an Email to info@robadigitalsheets.com)
- Conclusion of the agreement
- Send us your priority sheet music and books first (pdf, tiff, epub plus metadata or a physical release) or use our online tool
- Then prepare your back catalogue
- Plan online sales in your release plan (e.g. send us your new releases ahead of the physical release, best is six weeks ahead your release dateas many download shops have long waiting lists)
- Give us information for our online marketing of your products
- Inform us about every loss of right or update of your catalogue
- Promote your sheet music and books on your website (e.g. deep links to shops)
- Receive sales statements online or via paper
- Receive payments directly to your bank account