The purpose of this article is to show why KNOWLEDGE IS POWER when it comes to getting paid for making beats, or anything else for that matter. With that being said, many still refuse to seek the necessary knowledge that is needed to accomplish their goals and instead choose to remain IGNORANT and BROKE.
The best producer in my city (yes I admit, he's better than me) recently told me that he makes at least 3 beats a day. He literally can make a masterpiece in minutes. This guy is so versatile with how he blends the simplest sounds together. If he plays you 10 beats, more than likely you'll love all 10. If you don't, you'll love at least 7 of them.
The problem with him though is that he doesn't sell any beats. He constantly complains about this guy and that guy around the way with the cheesy copycat beats that the city goes nuts for. He feels that he could lock the town down as far production goes, but none of his rap homies ever buy his beats. They know that they can play the "friend" card and get out of paying him.
I tried to put my dude up on game and show him how to expand his horizons beyond his block and stop fooling with his broke friends and learn how to get some money doing what he loves. I advised him that it's all kinds of ways to sell his music, such as getting songs placed in movies, TV shows, and commercials. I also advised him on a few ways to step his game up and sell beats to rappers and singers the easy way.
He's not alone, a lot of cats who come to my studio have similar gripes, but one thing they all fail to do is get the necessary knowledge to change their realities as well as their banking accounts. I'll drop a couple of jewels here and there, but unless their willing to pay a consulting fee, I usually have too hectic a schedule to school some lazy producer. After all the game is sold and not told.
The point that I'm trying to drill into your head is that you guys need to get an understanding of how be successful in this industry, and it's only one way for you to learn and that's to become a student for the information will give you knowledge and power. There's not a profession in existence that you can make a successful living from without knowing the proper tricks of the trade. Whether its being a doctor, lawyer, NFL player, or even a dope boy. If you don't learn how to play the game you won't be successful.
For those who don't have someone to hold their hand (and most of you don't) in the industry, a way for you to get the necessary knowledge to get paid for your beats is by going out and getting it. Whether it be an e-book, a music seminar, researching the internet, or going to the library, one must obtain the necessary information to succeed. With just the right info and effort to promote your talent, you can easily learn to market yourself to not just sell beats on your block, but sell them all across the world. Don't be afraid to spend a little money either, because in the long run it can a very cheap investment when you consider that some producers make thousands of dollars for beats that they made in minutes. If you're not willing to invest in yourself via enhancing your knowledge, then this may not be the job for you. Don't be the best producer who doesn't get paid like my homie.
Terance Owens is a former owner of two indie record labels. He runs the website [http://www.HipHopGamePlan.com] which provides music business tips and more.
