I’m a beatmaker. Should I target artists or fans?

As beatmakers, we often box ourselves into a single question: “Am I making beats for artists, or am I making beats for fans?” While that’s an important consideration, the truth is that this decision doesn’t have to be black and white. In today’s music economy, thinking in binaries limits your growth. The most successful producers don’t just choose one audience—they structure their careers to serve both, and in different ways.

This brings us to a bigger shift in mindset: you shouldn’t just be thinking about who you’re targeting, but also about how this choice impacts your ability to develop multiple streams of income. Targeting artists and targeting fans each opens different doors, and as a beatmaker, diversifying those doors can be the key to long-term stability.

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Targeting Artists

• Professionalism Required: Artists often seek professional-level work, so high skill and expertise are essential.
• Business Opportunities: If you can successfully provide a hit beat, there’s the potential for a long-term relationship with that artist.
• Name Recognition: Working with established artists can help get your own name out there.
• Revenue: Selling beats to artists generally allows for higher pricing.
• Competition: The field is highly competitive, and top-tier artists will expect high quality and originality.

Targeting Fans

• Diverse Revenue Streams: Fans might be interested not just in your beats but also in related merchandise or services.
• Community Building: Targeting fans makes it easier to build a dedicated following, which can organically spread your work.
• Creative Freedom: With fans as your main audience, you may experience less commercial pressure, allowing for more creative freedom.
• Risk: If you have a smaller fan base, there’s a risk of less stable revenue.
• Long-Term Relationships: Building a long-term relationship with a fan base can lead to sustained revenue over time.

The choice between targeting artists or fans will depend on your skills, interests, and business objectives. But instead of treating them as mutually exclusive, consider how both can play into a bigger vision for your financial and creative independence.

Building Multiple Streams of Income

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