Parties & project
Legal names, professional names, contact information, project title and the people authorized to make decisions.
MANAGEMENT PAGE 8 — COLLABORATION PROPOSAL
Define the work before defining the contract
When a project passes the application, interview and feasibility reviews, Input Record may prepare a written proposal. It turns the conversation into a clear working plan that both parties can examine and negotiate.
ImportantA proposal is not a management contract. No representation or exclusivity begins until a final agreement is signed.
MANAGEMENT DIRECTORY
The proposal is the eighth step
Use the directory to follow the complete management pathway or open the subject that matters to you.
01Overview & ApproachMission, principles and professional direction
02ServicesCareer, release and promotion support
03Working Models & PartnershipsFull, project or strategic collaboration
04ApplicationPresent the artist and the project
05Evaluation MethodSix criteria and a 100-point review
06Exploratory InterviewPreparation and structured conversation
07Decision MethodReview weighting and possible outcomes
08Collaboration ProposalScope, roles, timeline and financial model
09Agreement & OnboardingPublic explanation; private contract by invitation
THE PURPOSE
Make the relationship understandable before it becomes binding
A strong proposal answers four questions: What are we trying to achieve? Who is responsible for what? What will the work cost? How will success and compensation be measured?
The proposal gives the artist and Input Record the same reference point for negotiation. It identifies assumptions, unresolved questions and any professional advice needed before a contract is drafted.
Each proposal is tailored to the project. It may cover full management, one release, a fixed campaign, artist development or a strategic partnership with an existing team.
PROPOSAL STRUCTURE
Eight sections, one shared understanding
No major commercial or operational point should be left to verbal assumptions.
Objectives
Specific priorities, target audience, territories, expected outcomes and practical measures of progress.
Scope of services
The management, development, release, marketing, representation or partnership services included — and what is excluded.
Responsibilities
What Input Record will coordinate, what the artist must deliver and which responsibilities belong to outside specialists.
Work plan
Phases, deliverables, deadlines, approval points, dependencies and the people responsible for each action.
Financial model
Fees, commission, revenue share, approved budget, payment timing, expenses, taxes and reporting rules.
Governance & reporting
Meeting rhythm, communication channels, approvals, access to information and how disagreements will be escalated.
Contract pathway
Points already agreed, matters still open, proposal validity, legal review and the conditions required before signing.
COMMERCIAL OPTIONS
The financial model must match the work
Input Record does not apply one automatic formula to every artist. The proposal selects and explains the model that fits the scope, risk, resources and expected value.
01
Management commission
A negotiated percentage applies to clearly defined artist income during the agreed period. Included and excluded income must be listed.
Best suited to ongoing management with active career income.02
Fixed project fee
A defined fee is paid for specific deliverables, milestones or a limited campaign. Payment dates and revision limits are stated.
Best suited to a release, launch or short-term assignment.03
Hybrid model
A reduced fixed fee may be combined with a negotiated performance-based commission or revenue share.
Best suited when both parties share effort and measurable project risk.04
Strategic partnership
The parties may contribute services, funding, assets or relationships and share defined project revenue after approved recoupment.
Best suited to a documented co-investment or business-to-business partnership.FINANCIAL CLARITY
Every dollar needs a definition
- Compensation base: the income categories to which a fee, commission or share applies.
- Exclusions: income or funds that are outside the calculation.
- Approved budget: the maximum spending authority and who can authorize changes.
- Project expenses: which costs are reimbursable, non-reimbursable or recoupable.
- Third-party services: written approval before hiring publicists, marketers, lawyers, producers or other specialists.
- Payments: currency, taxes, invoices, due dates, accounting statements and access to supporting records.
- Performance conditions: how any bonus, incentive or revenue share is calculated and verified.
No spending, commission, revenue share or reimbursable expense should be assumed simply because it was discussed during an interview. The same work must not be charged twice unless the separate roles and charges are fully disclosed and accepted in writing.
MULTIPLE ROLES
Label, management and services must remain distinguishable
Input Record may participate as a label, manager, project coordinator or service provider. When more than one role is proposed, each role must have its own responsibilities, compensation, expenses, accounting treatment and approval process.
The artist must be able to see which decisions concern the recording relationship, which concern career management and which concern separately purchased services. Potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed and discussed before contracting.
A collaboration proposal does not transfer ownership of songs, masters, performances, trademarks, domains, social accounts or other intellectual property. Any transfer or licence requires separate, precise written terms.
Both parties should have enough time to ask questions and obtain independent legal, tax or business advice before accepting long-term, exclusive or financially significant terms.
NEGOTIATION CHECK
Nothing moves forward until these points are clear
ScopeIncluded services, exclusions and deliverables
AuthorityWho approves creative, financial and commercial decisions
TimelineStart date, phases, deadlines and review points
EconomicsFees, commission, revenue share, budget and expenses
RightsOwnership, licences, name and image use, data access
DurationInitial period, renewal, termination and post-term matters
ReportingStatements, records, campaign results and meeting rhythm
AdviceTime for questions and independent professional review
AFTER THE PROPOSAL
Three possible directions
01
Proceed to agreement
The essential business points are accepted and can be translated into a private formal agreement. See the agreement and onboarding process.
02
Revise and negotiate
The parties exchange questions or counterproposals until the scope and economics are clear.
03
End the process respectfully
Either party may decide not to proceed. Unless a separate written obligation exists, no management relationship begins.
NEXT: PAGE 9
Accepted proposal terms move to a private agreement
The proposal remains negotiable and non-binding unless a specific provision says otherwise. The complete agreement is prepared privately only after the essential business points are understood.