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How to Sell Beats Online [Bring Your Music To Life]

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Music is an integral part of our lives today. It’s one of the most popular sources of entertainment in the world. 

We use it in movies, videos, commercials, and for personal recreation. Because of that, there’s always a massive demand for new beats. 

As an artist, creating the tunes should be a breeze. However, monetizing your work can be a challenge. 

So, if you’re interested in finding out how to sell beats online, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the process. 

We’ll also dive into the steps you can follow to get started with selling your beats.

Music is an integral part of our lives today. It’s one of the most popular sources of entertainment in the world. 

We use it in movies, videos, commercials, and for personal recreation. Because of that, there’s always a massive demand for new beats. 

As an artist, creating the tunes should be a breeze. However, monetizing your work can be a challenge. 

So, if you’re interested in finding out how to sell beats online, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the process. 

We’ll also dive into the steps you can follow to get started with selling your beats.

Music is an integral part of our lives today. It’s one of the most popular sources of entertainment in the world. 

We use it in movies, videos, commercials, and for personal recreation. Because of that, there’s always a massive demand for new beats. 

As an artist, creating the tunes should be a breeze. However, monetizing your work can be a challenge. 

So, if you’re interested in finding out how to sell beats online, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the process. 

We’ll also dive into the steps you can follow to get started with selling your beats.

Why You Should Consider Selling Beats Online

Starting an online beats business has many benefits. Other than it being a hobby that makes money, there are a few other benefits. 

Here are some of the reasons why you’ll want to sell your music online. 

  • Minor Investment: One of the biggest obstacles to launching a small business is the initial investment. Thankfully, a new beats company won’t require that much capital. With a laptop and the right software, you can create music in no time. 
  • Growing Sector: The music industry is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. There’s always a demand for new beats. Because of that, you should be able to find opportunities quickly. 
  • Flexible Schedule: When making music, it’s important not to rush the creative process. Luckily, this type of business has a flexible schedule. You’ll be able to set your own working hours.
  • Wide Variety of Clients: There are countless genres when it comes to music. Some people prefer classics, while others enjoy rock and roll. For that reason, you should have free rein over what type of beats you create. 

Problems With Selling Beats Online

While there are many benefits to selling your music, you’ll also run into a few issues. In this section, we’ll cover the drawbacks of selling beats online. 

Close-up of a producer working on a professional DJ board

1. Fierce Competition

As we mentioned, the music industry grows at a speedy rate. Because of that, there are new artists entering the field on the daily. 

This may make standing out a bit of a challenge. You’ll need to constantly improve your music production to ensure you don’t fade into the background. 

Plus, you’ll have to compete with countless musicians for every job. 

2. Music Block

Writing music is a creative process. It’s more than just putting a few notes together. So, coming up with new beats is much tougher than it sounds. 

On top of that, most artists will go through some form of music block from time to time. That means it’ll be difficult to create beats on demand. 

This can be a little demotivating for beginners in the music industry. 

3. Client Satisfaction

Each individual has a unique taste in music. Some people like slow beats, while others prefer high-tempo. So, pleasing everyone is usually out of the question. 

As you produce music, you’ll notice that it’s not everybody’s cup of tea. This is especially true if you like making underground beats. 

That may limit your audience base. Although, this doesn’t mean you can’t generate profits. 

4. Inconsistent Income

Unfortunately, with a beats business, income isn’t always a sure thing. On some days, you’ll sell three or four songs, and on others, you won’t sell any. 

This can be a major problem if you don’t have a secondary source of income. It’ll make staying on top of your bills a little tough. 

What You’ll Need to Sell Beats Online

Before you start selling beats, you have to create them. So, in this section, we’ll walk you through all the supplies you’ll need to produce music. 

  • Computer: To compete with other artists in our digital age, you’ll need a computer. It’ll help you program and sequence beats in a flash. Besides that, it’s important that you ensure your device has sufficient memory. That way, you can store all your work in one place. 
  • Sample Library: Creating beats from scratch is a tough task. So, many artists rely on samples to make their lives easier. You may also want to invest in a loops library. This will make creating fresh tunes a breeze.
  • Sequencer: This device allows you to plot out the pattern of your beats. You can start with a simple version of the gadget. It’ll make the creative process much easier.  
  • DAW: If you’re new to producing music, you’ll need a digital audio workstation. It allows you to record, edit, and mix your beats, all from one location. 
  • Headphones: Using the speakers that come with your computer may not be the best idea. The audio can be a bit grainy, which makes finding errors a challenge. Because of that, you’ll need a pair of good-quality headphones. You can also buy a speaker as a replacement. 
  • Microphone: Using a microphone, you’ll be able to sample music from all around you. You can also use a camera for recording music as an alternative. 

Where to Sell Beats Online

Before you start cranking out beats, it’s important to have a plan to sell them. This will take away some of the stress and help you focus on creating. 

Most of the artists in the world today will rely on online businesses to sell their beats. In this section, we’ll take a look at the services and what they can offer you. 

Close-up of two music makers working on a DJ set board and laptop

1. SoundCloud

screenshot of the SoundCloud homepage

SoundCloud is a music streaming service that’s been around for many years. People all over the globe upload beats to the platform to share them with the world.

While most of the music on SoundCloud is free, you can choose to monetize your work. On top of that, the platform will allow you to track various stats. 

These include the number of track plays and likes.

  • Fees/Commission: The basic SoundCloud subscription costs about $30. Other than that, it will charge artists a 20% fee for off-platform distribution. 
  • Payment Methods: SoundCloud follows a fan-powered payment system. That means, the more people stream your music, the better your income. With the platform, you can use American Express, Diner’s Club, Discover, and Paypal. 

2. PremiumBeat

screenshot of the Premium Beat homepage

PremiumBeat is a music library where artists can sell their work for a profit. The platform promotes your beats to thousands of clients, and you get a percentage of each sale. 

Not only that, but PremiumBeat can also help artists acquire licenses. This will make copyrighting your material a walk in the park. 

  • Fees/Commission: A basic PremiumBeat plan costs around $13. 
  • Payment Methods: PremiumBeat offers a variety of payment methods. You can use a Visa, Master Card, American Express, or China Union Pay. 

3. Airbit

screenshot of the Airbit homepage

Airbit is another popular music library. It allows you to post full-length songs and snippets of beats. 

One of the best parts about Airbit is that it’ll help you create an online store for your music. This is a space where your fans will get exclusive access to your work. 

Plus, you get to keep 100% of any sales in your personal store. 

  • Fees/Commission: Airbit offers a free service, but you can only upload 10 beats. For more, you’ll need a subscription that costs about $8. Other than that, the platform charges a 20% commission for non-exclusive beats.  
  • Payment Methods: Airbit supports two payment methods. These include Paypal and Stripe.

How to Sell Beats Online: Step-By-Step Instructions

Selling beats online is a unique side hustle. Because of that, figuring out how to complete the process can be quite challenging. 

To help you out, we’ve compiled a step-by-step list of everything you’ll need to do. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at how you can produce beats. 

Step 1: Choose the Type of Music You Want to Create 

Before you start creating music, there are a few questions that you should answer. For starters, what type of beats are you producing?

This will help you narrow down a genre to work with. That makes finding samples later on much easier. 

Other than that, you should question what emotions you’re trying to elicit. Are you going for an upbeat song, or trying to pull on the listeners’ heartstrings? 

The answer to this question will make it simpler to decide on a suitable BPM for your beats. 

Step 2: Decide on the Bass Line

When building a house, you have to ensure that it’s properly supported on the ground. That’s where the foundation comes into play. 

The same concept applies to music. You can’t create beats without a solid foundation. So, once you decide on a genre, it’s time to pick the bass line. 

This will act as a guide to ensure your beats flow together seamlessly. 

Figuring out the right bass line for your sound can be a bit tricky. That’s especially true if you’re a beginner. 

For that reason, trial and error are key. You can experiment with different bass lines and see how they sound. Then, pick the one that stands out the most to you. 

Step 3: Figure Out the Rhythm

With the bass line out of the way, you’re ready to set the rhythm. The easiest way to do that is with drums. 

This can help you keep track of your music’s progression. 

Not only that, drums can add a certain weight to beats. They’ll help your tracks feel more grounded and fleshed out. 

You can create your own custom drum patterns or use a sequencer to make your life easier. 

Step 4: Add Melodies to Your Beats

Once you have the rhythm down, we can move on to adding melodies. These are additional soundtracks that you layer on top of your drums.

You can be as creative as you want with this step. For instance, you can choose to go for simple melodies and add a piano track on top.

Other than that, if you’re a little adventurous, then you can opt for a synth or a theremin. 

As you’re layering, make sure you don’t overdo it. After spending so much time figuring out a bass line, you don’t want to cover it up. 

So, make sure all the instruments you choose work together, rather than against each other. 

Step 5: Add Samples and Loops

At this stage, it’s a good idea to listen to your track the whole way through. This will help you identify any gaps in the beats that you may have left by mistake. 

Once you identify them, you can fill them out. There are a few ways to do this. You can choose to add another melody on top, but you risk drowning out the drums. 

Because of that, it may be a better idea to add a loop or sample. That will add a new layer of complexity to your music and make it sound more pleasant. 

Step 6: Master Your Beats

With the melodies and loops in place, your beat is almost ready. All that’s left is to master your tunes. 

In this step, you’ll get to adjust the volume of different tracks and add various effects. This is all in an effort to ensure your music flows seamlessly. 

Things to Consider When Selling Beats Online

Selling beats is no easy feat. So, before you dive in head first, there are a few factors you should be aware of. 

Consider if the Music Industry Is Right for You

Right off the bat, you have to make sure that the music business is for you. It’s important to keep in mind that rejection is incredibly common in this industry. 

For that reason, to succeed, you’ll need to have tough skin. Plus, it’ll take a while before you build a fan base. 

Because of that, you may have to wait a long time before you turn a profit. 

Testing Out Beats

When working in the music industry, you have to know that not all beats work for everyone. That’s why it’s crucial that you test out your tunes. 

You can ask your friends and family for their opinions to help you get started. Although, this won’t be an accurate representation of the market. 

For a more accurate test, you can pay people to listen to your work. They should be able to give you an impartial opinion of the beats. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Legal to Sell Beats?

Yes, using the right platforms it’s legal to sell beats. Some of these services include SoundCloud, PremiumBeat, and Airbit. 

Do I Need a Website to Sell Beats?

You can sell your beats on a website. As an alternative, there are many platforms that will help you promote and sell your music. 

Similar Tutorials to Check Out

If you’re undecided about selling beats, then check out these similar ventures. 

Wrapping Up

Selling your beats online is an excellent way to generate a little extra pocket money. It won’t require much capital, and you can work on any schedule you like. 

Yet, building a client base may take a while because of the fierce competition in the industry. 

Did our guide help you figure out how to sell beats online? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to spread the word about our article.

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