Producer Guide
How to Sell Beats Online
straight from the Chi
I'm LUGURUBEATS — a Chicago producer who sells beats straight to artists from my own store. Here's the exact playbook I use, from building a catalog to getting paid while you sleep.
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Build a catalog worth browsing
Artists shop around. Have at least 10–20 finished, mixed beats before you launch, across a couple of moods. Keep adding new ones — a fresh beat at the top of your store gives people a reason to come back.
Make short, tagged previews
Give buyers enough to fall in love, not the whole track. A 60–90 second preview with your producer tag and a fade-out protects your work and still lets an artist hear the hook and the bounce.
Set clear license tiers
Most producers sell three ways: a cheap MP3 lease, a WAV + stems lease for artists who need a mix engineer, and an exclusive that takes the beat off the market. On LUGURUBEATS that's $29, $100, and $500.
Write a license agreement
Spell out stream caps, music video limits, credit requirements, and what exclusive ownership includes. Buyers should accept it before they pay so there's no confusion later. Have a music attorney look it over.
Take payments and deliver instantly
Use a real checkout (like Stripe) so buyers can pay by card or Apple Pay, then send the full files automatically. Artists recording tonight don't want to wait for you to wake up and email a link.
Own your store
Marketplaces are good for discovery but take a cut and bury you among thousands of producers. Your own site keeps more of the money, builds your brand, and shows up on Google under your name.
Promote where artists already are
Post 15–30 second clips of your beats on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts with a link to your store. Show the cook-up, the drop, the reaction. Consistency beats going viral once.
Treat buyers like long-term partners
Let artists upgrade a lease later and only pay the difference, repost their songs, and keep in touch. One artist who keeps coming back is worth more than ten one-time sales.
See it in action
Every step above is live in my own store: 1:20 previews, $29 / $100 / $500 licenses, a license agreement at checkout, and instant downloads. Browse it like a buyer and steal the ideas.
Common questions
How much should I charge for beats?
Typical 2026 pricing is $20–$50 for an MP3 lease, $75–$150 for WAV + stems, and $300–$1,000+ for exclusive rights. Start in the middle and raise prices as your catalog and placements grow.
What's the difference between leasing and selling exclusive rights?
A lease is non-exclusive — many artists can buy it, with limits on streams and videos. Exclusive rights go to one buyer with unlimited use, and the beat is removed from sale. See How Beat Leasing Works for the full breakdown.
Should I sell beats on a marketplace or my own website?
Both can work. Marketplaces bring traffic but take fees and put you next to competitors. Your own website keeps more of each sale and builds a brand fans and artists remember.
How do I get my first beat sale?
Post clips daily, send your store link to artists you actually like, and make buying easy with clear prices and instant delivery. The first sale usually comes from someone who's been watching your posts for a while.
Do I need to register my beats?
Registering your compositions with a PRO (like BMI or ASCAP) and keeping your project files organized helps you collect royalties and prove ownership if a song blows up.
Still learning to produce? Start with How to Make Your First Beat, then read How Beat Leasing Works.