We recently connected with River Weinfurtner and have shared our conversation below.

River, appreciate you 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?

Yes, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work as a music producer. The journey, however, was far from an overnight success. It required years of persistence, learning, and adapting to the evolving music landscape.

I started with a passion for making beats, uploading them to platforms like YouTube, and connecting with upcoming artists. Early on, the growth was slow, but I was consistent in posting content and building my brand. Over time, my YouTube channel grew and I began selling beats to independent artists and organizations, eventually creating a six-figure business.

Was It Like That From Day One?

Absolutely not. In the beginning, I wasn’t making much. Truthfully this all started as a hobby that turned into something way bigger. I always had the passion and ambition to create a music career but it took time to understand my audience, and develop a strategy that worked. There were months where I doubted if I could sustain myself through music alone but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Could I Have Sped Up the Process?
100%. I was only uploading 3-5 beats per month on YouTube because I was a full time college student and it was hard to find time to manage school work, gym, social life, and sleep all on top of making music. So if I could’ve went back in time, I would of sacrificed one of those to make sure I was posting 3-5 times per week. After I saw how much some producers were making off posting beats every day on youtube I was like ok, i’m about to lock in and just follow this recipe and it truly was the difference maker in revenue and growth of my channel and brand.

River, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m River, a full-time music producer originally from Cleveland, Ohio, now based in Los Angeles. My journey into music production began at 16, fueled by a dream of making beats for the world’s biggest artists. In 2012, I uploaded my first beat to YouTube as a Childish Gambino Type Beat and was stunned when someone commented, asking to buy it. At the time, I had no idea selling beats online was even possible; I was simply sharing my art. That moment changed everything. I quickly set up a PayPal and SoundClick account, and what started as a passion evolved into a career.

Since then, I’ve accumulated over 415 million streams and built a YouTube type beat channel with over 40k subscribers. I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible artists such as Arizona Zervas, Mike. The Game, Mod Sun, Powfu, and many more. My production has also been featured in campaigns and projects by major brands like Adidas, ESPN, NFL, Paramount Plus, NBA2K, Blaze Pizza, Nelk Boys, GaryVee, and more. For me, it’s about more than just beats, it’s about helping others bring their vision to life through music.

Problems I Solve

For clients, I eliminate the challenge of finding the right sound to amplify their message or emotion. Whether it’s an artist needing a standout track or a business seeking memorable background music, I ensure the end product captures the essence of their vision.

What Sets Me Apart

What truly differentiates me is my ability to build genuine connections. I prioritize understanding the needs of those I work with, focusing on collaboration rather than transaction. My music isn’t just about trends; it’s about creating timeless, meaningful music. I’ve also been highly intentional about finding and supporting underground talent. By connecting with up-and-coming artists, I’ve created opportunities to grow together, fostering a collaborative rather than competitive environment.

What I’m Most Proud Of

I’m most proud of the community I’ve built. The artists, brands, and fans who believe in the power of my music and have chosen to work with me. It’s all seriously a dream come true. If I told my younger self that this was my reality i’d be ecstatic. A reminder to always take a moment and appreciate how far you’ve come in your journey.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My biggest success wasn’t from some viral hack or lucky break, it was from making a commitment to post more. By simply being consistent and putting my work out there, I created opportunities for people to find me. I noticed specifically in the music producer niche people were uploading there beats on YouTube and I knew I could do it. Along the way, I adapted to trends, listened to feedback, and refined my craft to meet the market’s demands. Some will say growing a big audience is luck, so create your luck.

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

One thing non-creatives might not fully understand about pursuing a career in music production is just how much work goes into building something sustainable. On the surface, music careers often don’t pay well, especially in the early stages. For producers, it’s not as simple as making a beat and getting paid, you have to constantly build your portfolio to create multiple income streams.

What might look like a dream job, making music all day, actually involves an incredible amount of discipline, strategy, and persistence. The reward isn’t just financial, it’s about the satisfaction of creating something meaningful and connecting with others through your work.

For those who want to support creatives, understand that what you see is the result of countless hours of unpaid effort and experimentation. Every play, purchase, or share truly makes a difference in helping us keep going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://riverwein.beatstars.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverbeats
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/river-weinfurtner-1a688894/
• Twitter: https://x.com/River_Beats
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RiverBeats/videos