Local Beat Sales

[tone_aot]

Whasup folks. I've enjoyed the thorough info that yall guys have given me about contracts and selling beats. As a result, i've decided to start selling beats locally just like yall said. I'm printing out my business cards tommorow and i'm makin some flyers tonight. Anybody have any info that i should know about selling beats locally? I would like to make at a reasonable little cash flow. What i want to do is sell beatzz while i'm in college instead of working while i'm in college. That way, i'll have the money and still be able to study. I don't start until this fall so i need to get my grind up and running ahead of time. I'm also in the process of finding a job that is a lazy job(don't do nothin really) so if i have to work i'll be able to study while at work/write lyrics. I love music and i'll never see it as just money. I would just like to make a little money to invest back into the studio and eat off of.

 

[REEK BROCK]

I would go to all the open mic's I could with cds of snippets of your beats.I'd pass out cards and maybe post some flyers like you said.Be real professional about it and maybe get some t-shirts printed even if they are iron ons.Do anything to get your name out there and know your market.Gangster rap,conscious rap,etc.Don't let your preference keep you from making money man.

 

[Fieva]

First of all, you have to understand that beats don't sell overnight...you have to do a lot of experimentation locally and make a lot of connections with local artists and figure out what kinds of beats they're looking for. Not saying it can't be done but just don't expect to always be selling. For some people, not selling the amounts they originally expect to can hurt their pride/ego and make them lose drive to stay on grind.

Like Reek said, open mic nights are a good way to sell product...even if you are handing out a lot of snippet cds of beats or business cards with an website address so people can feel you. Also, you can put up flyers anywhere you think you can market. If you're up to the task, have as much variety as possible...you never know what could happen. Hell, I did a 10 beat production package a few years ago for an up and coming pop act in Dallas. I was just getting to a new level in making beats but it still landed me about $3,000 for the full project with 50% of the rights for the tracks. That group never went anywhere but even if they do later I still have vested interest.

Also, you do have a contract written in a way you see fit to explain to any potential customer who might have a question about it right? It's always important to C.Y.A. when you go into any kind of business period.

If you're looking for a fairly easy job, you may want to look into doing security. Usually it's a laid back job and you can do whatever you need to do during your shift (especially if you're in the nicer part of town where shit usually doesn't go down). I don't know about where you live, but it pays anywhere from $7.50 - $12 per hour here. I did security for a hotel for a couple of years and basically lived in that mofo...I just went home to sleep after my shift and that was it.

 

[tone_aot]

I've thought about security. That's what my dad does. He works at a nuclear plant though. They get paid real good just to stand around. But, i wouldn't wanna be there if junk went down so i scratched that one out! I thought about hospital security but an inmate went loose in a hospital over here lately and i got eerie about that too. Regardless, i think i'll look into some security jobs and see what i can find. Thanks for the help!!

 

[jb4play]

I thought about hospital security but an inmate went loose in a hospital over here lately and i got eerie about that too.

LOL, wowsers!

 

[salim]

looks like you have gear to record cats.... i say that because in the begining i recorded cats and didnt charge them. they were free advertisement for the tracks. after a while artist and people will want to meet and work with you.
then you charge.
hope this helps