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The kids of Generation Z, also known as Post-Millennials and born in the mid-1990s to early 2000s, bring a whole new set of challenges to music teachers and parents. Gen Z students learn differently because of their exposure to technology. These kids have never known a world without smartphones and social media, and they prefer to communicate through digital devices using a few words, a single picture, an emoji or a snap. They expect to find whatever information they want quickly and may become frustrated and impatient if they can’t find a solution to a problem. Still, music canno

Small music retailers don’t need big promotional budgets to become the go-to store in the community. At The 2017 NAMM Show, Tim Spicer of Spicer’s Music shared how promotions have driven his business forward and, in just four years, earned Spicer’s Music an Alabama Small Business of the Year designation. Here are his four promotional power tips to build loyal customers and drive sales and traffic. 1. Host events. Spicer’s Music has four in-store events per month, and many of them are different. Examples: • Open mic night. This is Spicer’s most successful event. Spicer’s hosts open

At the 2017 NAMM Show, music retailers had the chance to check out six of the most successful YouTube and Facebook videos from two of their own. John Mlynczak, vice president of sales and marketing for Noteflight, interviewed Mitch Gallagher, editorial director for Sweetwater, and Shane Kinney, owner of Drum Center of Portsmouth. Both music retail panelists have successfully grown their video following on YouTube, Facebook and their websites. Gallagher currently produces three video shows a week for Sweetwater: “Sound Check,” “Guitars and Gear” and “Sweetwater Minute.” Video conte

2017 Summer NAMM closed out with "Best in Show," a roundup of the biggest products, technologies and services at the show. Hosted by Frank Alkyer, publisher of Music Inc. and UpBeat Daily magazines, this fast-moving NAMM U Breakfast Session featured a panel of music retail experts. They shopped the far corners of the show floor to share the biggest products, technologies and services at Summer NAMM. This is the gear that’s sure to make a big impact in the fourth quarter—and the new year. Here's a list of this year's winners:   Best Add-Ons and Accessories drumdots … Booth 214 Coop

What does it take to reach today’s connected customers? How do you create an experience, in-person and online, that exceeds expectations, drives sales and wows consumers? At this session from 2017 Summer NAMM, customer-experience expert Doug Fleener looked at how to make a business stand out in this age of unlimited choices and nonexistent attention spans. Whether you’re a music retailer, manufacturer or distributor, you’ll discover the most common barriers to providing a world-class customer experience and how to avoid them. Find out how companies like yours have been able to dra

In 1989, Paul Myatt bought a music school and retail operation, which has since grown to more than 12 locations and 4,000 students weekly throughout Australia. And at The 2017 NAMM Show, he shared seven simple promotional ideas to help music retailers grow their own lesson programs. In his early days with the business, Forte School of Music, Myatt found that 95 percent of the people calling his store were women. They came from middle-income families, were genuinely interested in their children’s education and had heard that music lessons were important to kids’ development. “I bel

In 1989, Paul Myatt bought a music school and retail operation, which has since grown to more than 12 locations and 4,000 students weekly throughout Australia. And at The 2017 NAMM Show, he shared seven simple promotional ideas to help music retailers grow their own lesson programs. In his early days with the business, Forte School of Music, Myatt found that 95 percent of the people calling his store were women. They came from middle-income families, were genuinely interested in their children’s education and had heard that music lessons were important to kids’ development. “I bel

At The 2017 NAMM Show, Tim Spicer of Spicer’s Music led NAMM Top 100 retailers in a session chock-full of innovative store-design ideas. His panel included Carlo Gonzalez of Steelwood Guitar Shop & Club, Mark Maxwell of Maxwell’s House of Music and Rand Cook of The Candyman Strings & Things. These three independent retailers operate in vastly different locations­ and markets—Mexico City; Louisville, Kentucky; and Sante Fe, New Mexico. Each retailer shared his unique vision to inspire fellow music retailers to get creative with store design. The following are highlights fro

At The 2017 NAMM Show, Tim Spicer of Spicer’s Music led NAMM Top 100 retailers in a session chock-full of innovative store-design ideas. His panel included Carlo Gonzalez of Steelwood Guitar Shop & Club, Mark Maxwell of Maxwell’s House of Music and Rand Cook of The Candyman Strings & Things. These three independent retailers operate in vastly different locations­ and markets—Mexico City; Louisville, Kentucky; and Sante Fe, New Mexico. Each retailer shared his unique vision to inspire fellow music retailers to get creative with store design. The following are highlights fro

Your student has practiced all year, and she’s up next. She’s waiting in the wings, while the student ahead of her finishes a Beethoven piano piece. Her heart’s racing, and her hands are shaking. You’ve prepared her to play the recital piece, but have you prepared her to perform? We believe that learning to perform is an important part of studying music. Not every music student studies to be a performer, but performances count and make your students quick thinkers and better musicians. Confidence, adaptability and know-how are skills students can use in music and the outside world

At The 2017 NAMM Show, Ryan Sargent, social media manager for Make Music, paired with top retailer Myrna Sislen of Middle C Music to reveal how to optimize Facebook ads. Sislen provided a case study for audience members—she’d committed to spending $160 and worked with Sargent to launch her store’s first Facebook ad. Sislen’s disclaimer: She has employees who know and enjoy technology, and she advised retailers to work with people who are comfortable with Facebook and social media. Here are highlights from the session. (Watch the video to view the full presentation.) Why Advertise

During a panel discussion at The 2017 NAMM Show, Daniel Jobe of Friedman, Kannenberg & Co. led top retailers Leslie Faltin of Instrumental Music Center, Jeff Bertrand of Bertrand’s Music and Peter Sides of Robert M. Sides Family Music Centers in a practical, valuable discussion about growing instrument rental programs. Jobe also spoke to retailers wanting to start a rental program, saying, “Growth can start from zero.” Here are the five most important ways to grow your rentals, shared by the panelists. (Watch the video for the full session.) 1. Nurture relationships.Bertrand: