15) Time: why royalties often arrive later than the moment of success
From the outside, it seems like money should arrive instantly: people play the record, so the money should show up immediately. Inside the system, it is far more complex.
Royalties arrive later because:
- Usage has to be tracked and summarized across global platforms.
- Money has to be pooled and allocated to specific rights holders.
- Ownership and splits have to be matched and verified.
- Accounting periods and reporting cycles create inherent delays.
The Conceptual Takeaway
Royalties are an accounting outcome, not a tip jar. The specific timelines vary widely by context, but the process remains mechanical rather than emotional.
Judge your royalty health by:
- Accuracy of ownership information.
- Clarity of splits between collaborators.
- Reliability of reporting from your distributors.
- Consistency of exploitation over time.
Do not judge it by daily emotional reactions to whether it “feels like” you should be paid.