Category: Trends

Don’t Fear the Reaper…

Take the long view, as “this too shall pass” Recent weeks have been quite unnerving for us all, in the wake of the COVID-19 “coronavirus” outbreak. Financial markets have tanked as media reports come in, and fear of the unknown can be gripping, to the point of debilitating for some. While reacting negatively to such news is understandable, now might be a good time to step … [Read more...]

Being positive and prepared as a field sales representative

Account managers in the musical instrument and pro audio business can affect their own destiny

A recent trip down memory lane brought back reflections of days gone by, but has anything really changed? Yes, retail channels have consolidated, and the rise of e-commerce has made an indelible mark on our business. Rather than complaining about the upheaval, how … [Read more...]

How technology has changed the life of the field sales representative

Musical instrument and pro audio road reps have the world at their fingertips today

One sunny morning in 1987, I drove north on Route 15 from Frederick, Maryland, to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I had recently taken on the Mid-Atlantic Region for Ensoniq, an up-and-coming manufacturer of synthesizers and sampling keyboards. My wife and I had pulled up stakes and … [Read more...]

The First Musical Instrument Salesmen

Consolidation of our retail channels, and the first musical instrument salesmen

To help us understand the changes that have occurred in our industry over the past couple of decades, and to put things into some historical context, please enjoy this tongue-in-cheek allegory. 😊 Contrary to popular belief, account managers in ancient Mesopotamia sold more than just … [Read more...]

The Role of Education in Marketing Music Brands

Three ways that supporting musical education can create new customers.

Musical instrument sales have been steadily decreasing over the last decade, yet there are more manufacturers of musical instruments than ever. There are many reasons for this phenomenon, including a cultural shift towards digital and highly produced music and fewer live concerts that might … [Read more...]