- 01
Gifts, not investments
A backing is a voluntary gift towards a goal. Nothing is sold, no ownership changes hands and no return is promised. Backers support a person; you keep control.
- 02
Why milestones still matter
Without contracts, Backers rely on transparency. Money is held per milestone and released only when you prove progress, so they can give with confidence.
- 03
What you owe Backers
Honesty: a true story, proof for each milestone and updates in chat. Not profits or repayment. If you cannot finish, unreleased money goes back to Backers.
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to release their share or ask for more. Money not released in time goes back to the Backer.
15% fee, deducted — never added
Backers pay exactly what they choose. The 15% fee comes out of each backing: €100 gives the Dreamer €85. The fee is kept if money is returned.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a debut album dream with a goal of €11,000. Backers fund the whole goal, but each milestone's money stays held until you post the proof and Backers release it.
Milestone 1
€1,650 · 15%
Finish songs and demos
Post the planned track list, demo excerpts and rehearsal notes showing song arrangements ready for studio recording.
Milestone 2
€4,400 · 40%
Record the album sessions
Share session photographs, recording logs and selected raw takes that demonstrate the planned performances are captured.
Milestone 3
€3,300 · 30%
Mix and master tracks
Post before-and-after mix excerpts, a mastering completion note and a track checklist showing the audio is finished.
Milestone 4
€1,650 · 15%
Prepare the album release
Share cover files, checked track metadata and delivery confirmations with private account information hidden.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a debut album dream in Lisbon, shown in EUR. Backers are charged the equivalent in US dollars.
Example goal
€11,000
- Studio and engineering€3,850 · 35%
- Musicians and arrangements€2,750 · 25%
- Mixing and mastering€2,750 · 25%
- Artwork and delivery€1,650 · 15%
What you receive
- Backers give
- €11,000
- Platform fee (15%)
- −€1,650
- You receive
- €9,350
Risks to plan for
- R1
Arrangements stay unsettled
Changing song structures in the studio can consume booked recording time. Approve demos before sessions and include a focused rehearsal allowance in the first milestone rather than open-ended studio days.
- R2
Vocal sessions need repeats
Fatigue or an unsuitable recording setup can make vocals harder to capture. Spread demanding sessions across the schedule and reserve a limited pickup session within the recording budget.
- R3
Mix revisions expand
Unclear references can lead to repeated mix changes. Agree a sound direction using one test track and budget a defined revision round before sending the complete album for mastering.
Questions and answers
Can my debut album include songs I have already recorded?
Yes. Identify which tracks are complete and which still need recording, mixing or mastering. Base the goal on the remaining work and show existing audio samples so Backers can distinguish earlier progress from funded milestones.
Should mastering be a separate milestone from recording?
It helps to separate captured performances from finished audio because they demonstrate different work. Group mixing and mastering in a later milestone, with comparison excerpts and a completed track list as the evidence.
Do I have to pay Backers back?
No. Money released for completed milestones is yours. Money still held for unfinished milestones can go back to Backers under the Backing Policy, minus the platform fee.
Ready when you are
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