How to Sell Your Beats and
Make Money on Instagram
(Secrets That Top Producers Will Not Tell
You)
DISCLAIMER: The information listed here is solely based on my personal experience
and does NOT guarantee sales in any way. It is important to use this information
responsibly as improper implementation may render it ineffective. Please be aware that
reading this guide alone will not make you a platinum producer overnight.
Do not fall for get-rich-quick schemes, as they are unrealistic and should be avoided.
Now, let's proceed with the guide.
This guide will not cover the basic aspects of setting up a beat store (such as Airbit,
Beatstars, etc.) as it assumes that you are already established and ready for business.
Instead, it will focus on the following topics:
1.
Why Instagram?
2.
Optimal Timing and Day for Posting
3.
How to Search for the Right Audience
4.
How to Grow Your Instagram Account
5.
Paid Ads
6.
Secret Hack
7.
Additional Revenue
Please note that success in selling beats on Instagram requires consistent effort,
dedication, and adaptability to the ever-changing digital landscape.
Chapter 1: The Importance of Instagram
Instagram, with over 1 billion users, currently holds the position as the fastest-growing
social media platform. It provides a vast and diverse user base, encompassing various
audiences. Virtually everyone possesses an Instagram account, making it an ideal
platform to generate income. However, to capitalize on this potential, it is essential to
cultivate a reputable account with a substantial following and active engagement.
Chapter 2: Optimal Timing for Instagram Posts
Determining the best time and day to make your Instagram posts can significantly
impact your reach and engagement. While the optimal timing may vary depending on
your specific target audience, there are general guidelines to consider.
1.
Analyze Your Audience: Study your audience's demographics, location,
and behavior patterns to identify when they are most active on Instagram. This can be
done through insights provided by Instagram's analytics tools or third-party analytics
platforms.
2.
Experiment and Monitor: Conduct experiments by posting at different
times and days to observe the engagement levels. Monitor the performance of your
posts and identify patterns of high activity and response.
3.
Consider Peak Times: Typically, posting during peak hours when users
are more likely to be active on Instagram can increase the visibility of your content.
These peak times can include evenings, lunch breaks, and weekends when people
have leisure time.
4.
Time Zones: If your target audience spans across different time zones,
aim to post during times that align with their local peak activity hours.
Remember, the optimal posting time may evolve over time, so it is crucial to consistently
monitor your audience's behavior and adapt your posting strategy accordingly.
Chapter 3: Utilizing Hashtags to Reach the Right Audience
Hashtags (#) play a crucial role in connecting with your ideal audience on Instagram.
When rappers search for beats on the platform, they often utilize specific hashtags such
as #beats, #trapbeats, #rapbeats, #rapinstrumentals, #typebeats, and more. By
incorporating relevant hashtags into your posts, you increase the likelihood of being
discovered by potential customers.
To optimize your hashtag strategy, consider the following tips:
1.
Research Relevant Hashtags: Conduct thorough research to identify
popular and widely-used hashtags within the beat-selling community. Look for hashtags
that align with your beats' genre, style, and target audience. This will help ensure your
content appears in relevant search results.
2.
Mix Popular and Niche Hashtags: Strike a balance between using popular,
high-traffic hashtags and more niche-specific hashtags. Popular hashtags may attract a
larger audience, but they also face more competition. Niche hashtags, on the other
hand, can help you reach a more targeted and engaged audience.
3.
Be Specific and Unique: Incorporate hashtags that accurately describe the
distinctive elements of your beats. This will help differentiate your content from others
and attract individuals seeking beats with specific qualities.
4.
Monitor Hashtag Performance: Regularly analyze the performance of your
hashtags to identify which ones are generating the most engagement and reach. This
data can guide you in refining your hashtag strategy over time.
Remember, while hashtags are essential, they should be complemented with
high-quality content, engaging captions, and effective engagement with your audience
to maximize your chances of connecting with the right customers.
Chapter 4: Engaging with Potential Customers
While hashtags alone may not guarantee sales due to high competition, taking proactive
steps can significantly increase your chances of reaching and selling to your ideal
audience. Here are actionable strategies for finding and engaging with potential
customers on Instagram:
Searching for Relevant Hashtags: Look for hashtags such as #rappers,
#soundcloudrapper, #raplife, #unsignedrapper, #unsignedartist, #rapartist, and others
that are commonly used by rappers. Explore posts associated with these hashtags and
find rappers whose work you genuinely appreciate.
Commenting Approach: Craft well-structured comments that catch their attention and
encourage them to engage further. Your comment should follow this format:
•
First Line: Congratulate them on their hard work and express your
appreciation for their music.
•
Second Line: Make a strong call to action, encouraging them to reach out
to you for potential collaboration or business discussions. For example: "This is fire! I
would love to work with you. DM me (now or today) and let's talk business!" Feel free to
personalize the message, avoiding copy-and-pasting, as genuine interactions yield
better results.
Seizing Opportunities: When a rapper responds to your comment or sends a message,
it signifies their interest in collaborating or working with you. At this point, it is crucial to
handle the situation appropriately. Here are some approaches to consider:
•
Building a Relationship: Engage in conversations about their music,
interests, and aspirations without immediately pushing for a sale. Nurture a genuine
connection, as their interest in purchasing beats may naturally arise.
•
Sales Pitching: In some cases, a direct sales pitch like "Buy 10 beats, get
10 free" can be effective. However, exercise caution with this approach and ensure it
aligns with your overall strategy.
•
Offering Free Beats: Provide a non-profit beat as a gesture of goodwill to
build trust and rapport. When the rapper requires beats for commercial use, they are
more likely to choose you as their preferred source.
Remember, establishing relationships, understanding the artists' needs, and providing
high-quality beats are key to successful collaborations and sales. Strive for authenticity
and professionalism in all interactions to enhance your reputation and increase the
likelihood of long-term partnerships.
Chapter 5: Strategies to Grow Your Instagram Account
Growing your Instagram account can be a key factor in expanding your reach and
increasing sales. Here are some lesser-known secrets that can aid in achieving this:
1.
Automation Tools: Automation tools can streamline and optimize your
Instagram activities. One such tool is Masspoller, which allows you to engage with
thousands of story polls, sliders, quizzes, or questions daily. Using automation tools can
help you gain real and engaged followers, ultimately boosting your engagement. You
can try Masspoller for free at https://masspoller.com/.
2.
Reinvesting for Growth: Once you start making sales, it is important to
reinvest your earnings to further propel your progress. Consider allocating a portion of
your profits to enhance your marketing efforts, expand your beat library, or improve your
overall brand presence.
Chapter 6: Leveraging Paid Facebook/Instagram/Google Ads
Paid advertisements on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google can be highly
effective once you have generated some sales and have capital to invest. Here's how to
leverage these ads:
1.
Set Up Business Accounts: Convert your Instagram account into a
business account and create a Facebook page. Connect your Facebook page to your
Instagram account.
2.
Access Facebook Ad Manager: Enter Facebook Ad Manager to set up
your ads. Select a conversion campaign and choose the "Purchase" option. Ensure you
have installed a Facebook pixel on your beat-selling platform (e.g., Airbit, Beatstars) to
track conversions. You can find instructions on how to install the Facebook pixel by
searching online.
3.
Targeting Criteria: When setting up your ad, target rappers who are
interested in buying beats. Focus on countries with high beat-buying potential, such as
the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, and France. Include interests related
to rapping and narrow down the audience by selecting "Engaged Shoppers." Optionally,
exclude interests related to producers or audio engineers.
4.
Ad Creation: Upload a video or image of your choice for the ad. Craft
compelling ad copy that includes a strong call to action. Start with a daily ad budget of
$5 - $10. If you do not see sales within three days, experiment with different visuals,
text, or ad formats.
By diligently implementing the strategies outlined above, you should be able to witness
growth in your Instagram account and generate sales that can be reinvested in paid
advertisements. Now, let's move on to an exciting bonus tip!
Chapter 7: Generating Additional Income
Once you have surpassed 10K followers on Instagram using tools like Masspoller, there
are additional ways to monetize your account and increase your earnings.
Here are two effective methods:
1.
Selling Shoutouts: With a substantial following, you can offer shoutout
services to individuals or businesses who are willing to pay for exposure on your page.
Many people are eager to be featured on popular accounts, presenting an opportunity
for you to generate extra income. A reasonable price for a 10K shoutout could be
around $20. While it may not seem like much individually, the cumulative earnings can
be reinvested to further scale your beat-selling business.
2.
Distributing Beats on Spotify: Another avenue for additional revenue is
distributing your beats on Spotify. By uploading your beats to this platform, you can gain
exposure and potentially generate substantial income. Notable producers like Chuki
Beatz, Wudo Beatz, and Cashmoney Ap earn a minimum of $2000 every month through
streaming on platforms like Spotify and iTunes. Distrokid is an online music store that
allows you to upload unlimited songs for a low annual fee, making it an ideal option for
prolific beat producers. You can learn more about Distrokid at https://distrokid.com/.
By exploring these additional income streams and diversifying your revenue sources,
you can maximize your earnings and establish connections with artists worldwide.
Remember, consistency, quality, and strategic marketing efforts are key to achieving
success in the beat-selling industry.
Chapter 8: Initiating Sales and Marketing Efforts
Now is the time to take action and focus on attracting traffic and converting artists into
customers. However, it is crucial to approach this task ethically and avoid spamming or
resorting to spammy tactics. Some producers still engage in excessive self-promotion,
but it's essential to adopt more effective strategies. Concentrate solely on securing that
one beat sale that can propel you toward achieving a monthly income of $1,000.
Remember, it may require several hours to generate interest from potential customers
and receive inquiries about purchasing your beats. Understand that you may only make
a few sales in a day, if any. However, remain committed to pursuing that one sale each
day, and by the end of the month, you will witness the positive impact on your PayPal
account.
Although it can be challenging initially, the process will become easier with time. Focus
on consistently uploading exceptional beats to your catalog, as this will eliminate the
need for exceptional sales skills to convince artists to make a purchase. This is why it is
vital to dedicate time every morning to creating outstanding beats, allowing you to
improve your craft continuously.
Having remarkable beats that artists genuinely desire will make sales easier to obtain
once you gain enough visibility among your target audience. Once you receive a
notification of a beat sale, you can take some time to relax. Spend time with friends and
family, engage in recreational activities like playing video games, or enjoy watching
YouTube videos.
It is not advisable to actively pursue additional sales on the same day to avoid
exhaustion. Grant yourself a well-deserved break. However, if you still have energy and
time available, you can engage in some light work to further enhance your business.
Consider the following ideas for "light work":
1.
Enhance your social media bio texts to present a more compelling image.
2.
Improve the design and descriptions of your YouTube channel to enhance
its appeal.
3.
Focus on optimizing your website's rankings on search engines like
Google.
4.
Put yourself in your customers' shoes and identify ways to streamline and
improve the purchasing process.
5.
Enhance your workflow by organizing folders, cleaning your desktop, and
utilizing a whiteboard for better organization.
By implementing these minor improvements, you can harness the power of incremental
gains and enhance the overall efficiency and appeal of your beat-selling business.
Chapter 9: Recap
To effectively promote your beats on Instagram, the key is to connect with artists whose
music aligns with your style and offer them something valuable for free. Offering free
beats is an effective strategy to engage artists and build long-term relationships. By
providing them with a few complimentary beats (2-5) and adding them to your email list,
you create an opportunity for ongoing interaction and potential sales in the future.
Finding Artists:
Start by searching relevant hashtags on Instagram to discover artists. For example, if
you sell hip hop beats, explore hashtags like #hiphopartist, #rapartist, or
#unsignedrapper. These hashtags will lead you to numerous artists within your niche.
Listen to their material and assess whether their sound complements your beats. Once
you find an artist you like, reach out to them with a message. A template that works well
is: "Hey, I just listened to the song xyz and thought it was amazing! I would like to
provide you with some free beats for your next project. What's your email?" Artists
appreciate the gesture and the opportunity to access free beats, increasing the
likelihood of a reply. This approach helps you showcase your catalog and expand your
email list.
Adding Artists to Your Email List:
Growing your email list is a crucial objective for effective online promotion. When
sending the beats, you can either use BeatStars to collect their email addresses for
download or leverage a third-party system like MailChimp to provide a subscribe link.
This enables you to follow up with these artists when you release new beats or run
special promotions.
Promoting Beats on Your Page:
Another method to sell beats on Instagram is to promote snippets of your beats on your
page using popular hashtags. You can upload short video snippets on Instagram,
ensuring they are downloaded and trimmed to less than 60 seconds for ease of posting.
If you have a YouTube video showcasing your beats, use it for promotion and add
branding. Additionally, you can create videos of the beat-making process in the studio to
build suspense and captivate your audience.
When uploading your beats, be sure to include relevant hashtags in the post. There is a
wide array of hashtags to choose from, allowing your beats to be discovered by artists
searching for beats in those specific categories. To gain further exposure, examine
successful videos within those hashtags and incorporate any additional relevant
hashtags they may be using.
Offer Exclusive or Limited Deals for Instagram Users:
To stimulate sales growth, provide special deals exclusively for your Instagram
followers. Consider offering limited-time promo codes (e.g., 20%OFF) or
buy-one-get-two-free offers. If you have any free beats available, make sure to share
them on your Instagram page. Platforms like BeatStars enable you to collect email
addresses in exchange for free downloads, facilitating simultaneous growth of your
email list. Alternatively, you can integrate a third-party email autoresponder like
MailChimp on your website to manage your email list and send beats or offers on a
regular basis.
By implementing these strategies consistently, you can effectively market and sell your
beats on Instagram, fostering relationships with artists, and growing your sales and
brand presence.
Update 2023-2024
Income from Music: Beats/Loops/Labs
iMessage:
•
style.
Find rappers in the subscriptions of other beatmakers or accounts related to your
•
Send them a message expressing interest in sending them beats and ask for
their contact information.
•
Introduce yourself and provide your Instagram as proof of your work.
•
Send them some beats and clarify that the beats are not free.
•
Gauge their reaction and discuss pricing if they show interest.
•
Some may purchase immediately, while others may be potential customers in the
future. Continue sending beats to those who didn't respond.
Emails:
•
Similar to iMessage, reach out to artists via email, either by finding their emails in
their bio or asking for them directly.
•
Send beats through BCC or email marketing tools like GMass.
•
Avoid using words like "sale," "purchase," "discount," or "%," as they might trigger
the promotional email filter.
•
Send beats every 1-2 days, maintaining consistent communication to build
familiarity and increase the likelihood of sales.
YouTube:
•
Post videos consistently every 3 days for 1-3 months to build results.
•
Alternatively, post videos daily for quicker growth.
•
Consider running two channels simultaneously for increased exposure.
•
Use proper tags to optimize searchability and research popular YouTube tags
related to your content.
•
Avoid using beat boosts, as they can harm channel growth.
Customs:
•
Once you have subscribers or customers, reach out to them individually to offer
custom beats.
•
Utilize direct messages and story posts to promote custom beats.
•
With a pool of 30-50 clients, you are likely to find at least one interested in
custom beats.
•
Set a price, such as $400 for 1-2 hours of work, or adjust according to your
preference.
1.
Placements:
•
Build connections and send your loops to artists or producers associated with
artists you want to work with.
•
Use platforms like BeatStars to share your music and collaborate on potential
placements.
Loops:
Connect with other beatmakers:
•
Reach out to successful beatmakers or those with placements, either through
BeatStars or platforms like Genius.
•
Share your loops with them and leave your BeatStars information in the
message.
•
This can lead to money from splits or potential placements.
Sell weekly loop packs:
•
Engage with other beatmakers by liking their content and politely suggesting your
weekly loop packs.
•
Share stories about sending out your weekly packs to generate interest.
•
Focus on conversations with individuals who show interest in your offer.
Create free loop kits:
•
Occasionally release free loop kits to generate interest and attract potential
customers for your paid weekly packs.
•
This can increase your reach and potentially lead to more sales or placements.
Labs:
Connect with people:
•
Like the content of other beatmakers to increase visibility and potential
collaboration opportunities.
•
Some may reach out to you for collaboration or joint projects.
Post stories about your lab sessions:
•
Share attractive pictures or visuals and mention that you're working in the lab.
•
Utilize minimal text and let the visuals speak for themselves.
•
If you have an existing audience, this can lead to new opportunities and potential
income.
Remember, consistency is key across all these strategies to build relationships, grow your
audience, and increase your chances of generating income from beats, loops, and labs.