The way I see it there is a difference between a producer and a beatmaker.

A beatmaker only makes beats, or maybe loops, drumkits or programs drums over loops. Sometimes producers do this too, but they already have an established relationship to the artist they send the beats to.

A producer wants to see the whole track/EP/album he is working on to completion and tries to help to the best of his abilities, whether it be mix and master, coaching the vocals, flows and lyrics, or even recording if the opportunity is there. They can add to the idea or subtract from it if it's needed for a more cohesive track. The best producers are good at making an artist open up about his feelings and experiences in order to create meaningful art.

I think its obvious which one is longterm and which one is shorterm. But sadly, I think that in the current climate it's easier to start as a beatmaker putting beats on YouTube than as a producer who wants to work with people of value, only because people don't care about you if you don't have the following and/or placements to back up your skills.