Creating a Soundtrack for Your Retail Store
Tip #461 - Music Magic
Dear Tip of the Weeker,
But understanding what music you can play in your store without paying artist royalties can be super confusing. Here's a quick recap:
1) CDs and MP3s
If you want to play your own personal CDs, records, MP3s, and the like in your store you are supposed to pay royalties. Complicated and time consuming.
You can buy "royalty free" music at online sites like The Music Bakery or NeoSounds (search royalty free music for lots more options) and make your own CDs if you want. You won't find popular artists or recognizable songs on royalty free sites, but that may be just perfect for your store background music.
The upside of this strategy is that you can search these sites for exactly the mood and style of music you want. The downside is that each individual song can cost upwards of $30 and you might get pretty bored of listening to the same music over and over again.
2) Radio
If you want to play the radio in your store, you can do that without paying royalties IF...
- your store is less than 2000 sq. feet;
- OR your store is more than 2000 sq. feet but you have fewer than 6 total speakers, no more than 4 speakers in any one room;
- AND you don't charge admission to enter your business.
So the radio is a good no-cost option if you're in a smaller space, if you don't mind the commercials, and if you don't mind not being in control of all the music.
3) Music Service
If you want your music commercial-free or you want more control over the "sound environment" of your store, a paid music service is probably the way to go.
For example, a music service like 'SiriusXM for Business' starts at just $30 a month and offers channels with everything from country, to pop, to jazz, to rock. You can change channels and change the mood in your store at the touch of a button.
Other music services like DMX Music will customize music mixes just for your business. You can listen to sample mixes on their website - some even have names like "Chic Boutique."
No matter which route you choose, the music you play in your store should be in keeping with your customers' tastes and interests - not your sales staff. By setting music standards and choosing one of the options above you'll be able to create music magic in your store!
Wishing you great sales and lots of fun,
