Category: Partnerships

Wham Bam, Thank You NAMM!

I’m starting this post at 34,000 feet, winging my way to the 2023 NAMM Show. It’s been a comfortable flight thus far, but internally my adrenaline is bubbling up in anticipation. This is a special convention for me, my family and several others who have supported our efforts to create a new brand of guitars and cajóns. It is with great anticipation and a bit of high anxiety … [Read more...]

When Things are Slow, Go Faster

I came across a Facebook post recently with a quote attributed to famed race car driver Mario Andretti, who quipped, “If everything seems under control, you’re not going fast enough.” It made me pause and think about the situation in the musical instrument and pro audio markets today, along with how various constituents in our industry are dealing with continued turbulence. … [Read more...]

Relationships Still Matter, But Becoming a “Trusted Advisor” is the Ultimate Goal

The past few years have had our collective heads spinning - navigating an unprecedented pandemic, dealing with supply chain issues the likes of which we’ve never seen before, and trying to make sense of the real economic outlook for the musical instrument and professional audio trade. But through all this turmoil, one thing stands out in my mind, and that is the power of … [Read more...]

The Year in Review – A Roller Coaster Ride in the Musical Instrument Trade

To say that this year has been tumultuous would be quite an understatement. We started 2022 with many manufacturers still struggling to get product into the country, especially fretted instruments. The cost of shipping a container had skyrocketed throughout the pandemic, and the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach had seemingly endless backups. Finding inland transport was also … [Read more...]

Musical Instrument Trade Profiles in Excellence

Let’s face it, business today in the Musical Instrument and Pro Audio channels is challenging, and that may be a significant understatement. Supply chain headaches have only increased in recent weeks, and even the heartiest optimist among us may have trouble staying upbeat. The typical run-up to the Holiday selling season is not developing as one would expect and looking back … [Read more...]

Reciprocity – the key to a successful vendor-dealer relationship

Mutual respect, empathy and understanding are at the foundation of great business

When examining “how things work” in the musical instrument and professional audio trade, the working relationship between vendors and dealers is top of mind. This is a critical component within the supply chain, involving both people and policy. The shared goal is to create … [Read more...]

Relating to various constituents in the musical instrument and pro audio vertical

Understanding buyer and staff psychology can improve your sales effort

Manufacturers and distributors in the Musical Instrument and Professional Audio trade have a vested interest in understanding buyer psychology. If you can connect empathetically and meet the buyer’s needs, prospects for revenue growth go up. All buyers are not alike, but they do have similar … [Read more...]

Partnering with your retailers in the musical instrument and pro audio trade

Increase conversions through Corroborative Selling Techniques

Connecting messages The mind has an uncanny way of connecting text and images; some would say you store everything you’ve ever seen or read in the “file cabinet” of your brain. It stands to reason that during the consideration of an instrument or pro audio purchase, a consumer should be reminded repeatedly … [Read more...]

Why Musical Instrument and Pro Audio Channel Brands should support local events

Getting the most out of your relationships with bricks & mortar dealers

As a manufacturer in the musical instrument business, you’re always looking for ways to support your dealer network. This includes the physical stores that in recent years have been under pressure due to increased competition from online sales. There’s no question that customers … [Read more...]

Contact Center Training Tips for Musical Instrument and Pro Audio Channel Brands

Getting the best possible results during your visits to music retailer call centers

It’s no secret that in recent years, musical instrument e-commerce retailers have grown tremendously. The larger ones have well-developed Contact Centers with varying staff sizes, and most all of them welcome key vendors to provide product training. I can say from first-hand … [Read more...]