Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Devan Diltz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Devan, thanks for joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I started producing music in the spring of 2020 when quarantine began. That isolation became fuel. I spent nearly every day learning, creating, and developing the discipline that turned music from a hobby into a livelihood. I wasn’t chasing trends or fame, just trying to make something real and get better with every track.

When the world opened back up, I realized I’d built more than a skill — I’d built a foundation. By offering custom beats, mixing, and collaborations, I was able to generate consistent income and eventually run DDiltz Productions full time. It didn’t happen overnight, but every project, every client, and every late night in the studio pushed it closer to reality.

If I could’ve done anything differently, I’d have treated it like a business sooner. Creativity is the heart of it, but structure is what keeps it alive. Once I learned to balance both, that’s when it truly became sustainable.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into music production during the spring of 2020, right when quarantine hit. What started as a way to stay creative in isolation quickly turned into an obsession. I spent every day learning the craft from the ground up — studying sound design, mixing, mastering, and music business fundamentals. That period of focused isolation became the launchpad for everything that followed.

Today, my brand provides custom beats, mixing and mastering services, sound design, and creative consulting for artists and brands around the world. I also create sample and loop packs, educational resources, and visual content that help other creators level up their sound and presence.

What sets DDiltz Productions apart is the balance between artistry and structure. I don’t just sell beats — I build sonic identities. Every client gets a tailored experience, a clean and polished sound, and a professional system that makes collaboration seamless.

I’m most proud of building something from the ground up that reflects who I am — a fusion of passion, discipline, and creativity. I want people to know that DDiltz Productions isn’t just a business; it’s proof that you can design a life around what you love if you treat your art with the same respect you’d give any profession.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy has been building real relationships and creating an ecosystem around my work instead of just chasing one off sales. I focused on making every client experience feel personal — quick communication, reliable turnaround, and consistent quality. That built trust, and trust turned into referrals.

At the same time, I built visibility through content. I treated every post, beat preview, or mix breakdown as a way to show my process and personality, not just my product. That authenticity connected with artists who valued both the sound and the person behind it.

I also diversified early — offering custom beats, mixing/mastering, loop packs, and educational content under DDiltz Productions. That gave artists multiple entry points to work with me, whether they needed production, engineering, or creative guidance.

If I had to sum it up, the strategy is this: provide undeniable value and make it easy for people to work with you again. Clients remember how you made the process feel, not just how the track sounded.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think what a lot of non-creatives don’t realize is how much of this life is built on faith — not in a religious sense, but in yourself. You pour endless hours into something with no guarantee it’ll work out, no steady paycheck, and no one telling you you’re on the right path. You just have to believe that the effort will pay off eventually, even when the results aren’t immediate.

From the outside, it might look like fun — making music, posting content, working with artists but behind that is constant trial and error, rejection, and reinvention. You’re building a career out of thin air while trying not to lose the love for the art that started it all.

It’s a grind that most people don’t see, but it teaches you resilience in a way nothing else can. You learn that success isn’t one big break… it’s thousands of small choices to keep going when no one’s clapping yet.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ddiltzproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ddiltzproductions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ddiltzproductions/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devan-diltz-816349282
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DDiltzProductions
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-161856760-818852676

Image Credits

Headshots: Jonah Enrique Pesina @dtxking