An entire cottage industry has developed around platforms like BeatStars and Airbit that provide producers with the necessary tools to build an audience, market their music and sell their hip hop and R&B beats online. It’s a reflection of an industry that continues to evolve in the digital era, and a prime example of the innovative methods that young producers are embracing in order to find sustainable ways of selling their music.
MAKING YOUR BEATS WORK
Robin Wesley is a prime example of a producer who has journeyed from trying to get his music heard, to the point where he is now running a viable business selling his beats online. Wesley is also one of several expert voices sharing detailed insights with other producers via the in-depth guides on his Urban Masterclass site.
“I’ve been in this business for several years, and after earlier struggles, I’ve had my successes, and found that selling your beats online can be a source of sustainable income,” Wesley says. “The product itself has to be good to start with. However, I will say that 80% of my time is spent on marketing, with 20% of my time in the studio. It’s not just about making beats and throwing them on YouTube.”