HearIt.com Help Guide

Everything you need to know about using HearIt.

Contents

Browsing Auctions

The Auctions page lists all active music rights auctions. You don't need an account to browse.

Using Filters

At the top of the Auctions page you'll find two rows of filter buttons:

Selected filters light up with a gold border. You can combine multiple Talents and Genres to narrow results.

Search

The search box finds auctions by keyword across titles, descriptions, and artist names. You can combine search with the filter buttons. Leave everything blank and click Search to view all auctions. Click Clear to reset.

Auction Cards

Each card shows a thumbnail, title, artist, rights percentage, starting price, and a live countdown timer. Cards with a gold note symbol have an audio preview — hover to listen. Click any card to see the full detail page.

Joining HearIt

To bid on auctions or list your own music rights, you'll need a HearIt account.

  1. Click Join in the navigation bar
  2. Fill out the application with your information, talents, and a brief skills summary
  3. Submit the form
  4. An administrator will review your application and you'll receive an email once approved
  5. Log in with the temporary password from the welcome email
  6. Set a new password on your first login

Your Account

Once logged in, click My Account in the navigation bar to access your member page.

Edit Profile

Profile Images

Upload profile images (400 x 400 pixels). You can have multiple images and select which one is active.

Activity Dashboard

Your member page shows your active bids, your auction listings, and any successful auctions in escrow.

Selling Music Rights

Any HearIt member can list music rights for auction.

Creating a Listing

  1. Go to My Auctions and click Create New Auction
  2. Fill in the title, description, rights percentage, starting price, and optional reserve price
  3. Set your auction start and end dates
  4. Select the relevant talents and genres
  5. Your listing is saved as a Draft until you're ready

Adding Images and Audio

Upload up to 4 images (400 x 400 pixels) — album art, promotional images, etc. The first image becomes the thumbnail. You can also upload a 30-second audio preview (MP3, 5 MB max) to give potential bidders a taste of the music.

Submitting for Review

When ready, click Submit for Review. You'll need a title, description, rights percentage, starting price, dates, at least one talent, one genre, and one image. An administrator will review and you'll be notified by email.

Bidding on Auctions

HearIt uses a proprietary bidding algorithm that considers multiple factors to create fair outcomes for all participants.

How to Bid

  1. Find an active auction and click into the detail page
  2. Enter your bid amount (must meet the starting price or exceed the current high bid plus the minimum increment)
  3. Click Place Bid — you'll receive a confirmation email

Effective Bids

Your raw bid amount is adjusted by a multiplier based on factors like your bidding history and account age. This "effective bid" determines ranking. The system is designed to give newer members a fair shot against established bidders.

Anti-Sniping Protection

A bid placed within the final 60 seconds of an auction extends the end time by 60 seconds, giving all bidders a fair chance to respond.

After the Auction Ends

When the countdown reaches zero, the auction closes automatically. The highest effective bid wins. An administrator reviews and settles the auction, then both buyer and seller are notified with next steps.

Escrow and Payment

When an auction is settled as successful, HearIt creates an escrow transaction to protect both parties.

For Buyers

You'll receive an email with deposit instructions for the HearIt escrow account at First Northern Bank of Wyoming. Include the reference number provided so your payment can be matched. You can track the escrow status anytime via the link in your email or from your member page.

For Sellers

Your email will include a payout breakdown: the winning bid amount, the 10% HearIt platform fee, and your net payout. Once the buyer's payment is verified, you'll be notified to begin the intellectual property transfer.

Escrow Steps

  1. Payment Pending — Buyer deposits funds
  2. Payment Verified — Administrator confirms the deposit
  3. Rights Transferred — Seller completes the IP transfer
  4. Completed — Escrow closed, payout released to seller

Shorties

Shorties are free, royalty-free MP3 tracks available for anyone to download and use in social media content. No account required. Hover over the Shorties button in the navigation bar for a random preview.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are "music rights"?

Music rights represent ownership in an original piece of music. When you purchase music rights, you acquire a percentage of ownership as specified by the seller, which can include royalty rights, licensing rights, or other forms of ownership.

What does the "percentage" mean on an auction?

The percentage indicates what portion of the rights is being offered. For example, "25% rights" means the seller is auctioning a quarter ownership stake in that piece of music.

Do I need an account to browse?

No. Anyone can browse auctions, view details, listen to audio previews, and download Shorties without an account. You only need an account to bid or list.

What is the platform fee?

HearIt charges a 10% fee on successful auction sales. This is deducted from the winning bid before the seller payout is calculated.

What image size is required?

All images — profile photos and auction images — must be exactly 400 x 400 pixels.

Can I edit my auction after submitting?

You can only edit auctions in Draft status. Once submitted for review or approved, the listing is locked. Contact us if changes are needed to an active auction.

What happens if the reserve price isn't met?

If the highest bid doesn't meet the seller's reserve price, the administrator can settle the auction as "Reserve Not Met" and no sale takes place.

Support

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