This year’s winner, Bill Busch, shares a great idea for keeping track of and liquidating aging inventory in a way that is simple to implement and potentially fun for customers who are hunting for a deal. A number of years ago, Brass Bell Music incorporated a ‘Best Idea’ from an RPMDA session. We began placing …
by Jenny VanPelt, Lorenz Music At the end of August, the USPS released a proposal to change the requirements for mail pieces that receive discounted rates as part of the Marketing Mail classification. In our industry, most direct mail promotions sent by dealers and publishers alike fall into this category, whether they are postcards, flyers, …
By Tim Cose, Hal Leonard According to a National Retail Federation survey, Halloween consumer spending is expected to reach $9 billion in 2108. This is triple the spending in 2005. Whether it’s social media selfie fever or a serious national sweet-tooth, Halloween spending has had a strong upward trend for the past decade. It’s also a …
[Reprinted with Permission] by Brian Majesky, Music Trades The prayers of brick-and-mortar retailers may finally be answered if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the 1994 North Dakota vs. Quill judgement that made it possible for most mail order retailers to skirt collecting sales tax. This quirk in the tax law unquestionably tilted the scales …
by Elliot Wessel, Schmitt Music We’re working in a reputation-based business. We say that all the time. So often our success or failure depends on the relationships we’ve built and maintained and hopefully grown over the years. Reputation is so important. If you haven’t been following pop culture at all, Taylor Swift’s new album is …
by Jenny VanPelt, Lorenz Corporation It’s music to many of our ears when we hear that “buy local” and “shop small” are growing movements in communities around the United States, Canada, and Europe. In response to the effects of retail big box stores and online giants in the marketplace, business and community leaders are coming …
Below is the first installment of Best Ideas entries from the Best Ideas Session at the 2017 RPMDA Convention in Atlanta. Thanks to Tim Cose, of Hal Leonard for collecting and compiling the first installment. Wine Club for Piano Music Krista Hart, Alfred Music Subscription box series are all the rage right now – you …
By John Mlynczak Today’s tech-savvy student has an entire internet full of ways to learn music. From YouTube to community sharing websites and subscription services, self-learning has never been more accessible. As an added bonus, students can search for and learn music twenty-four hours a day in the comfort of their own home using up their …
by Joel Shoemake, Pine Lake Music Co. Years ago I partnered with a Baptist state convention to provide low-cost choral music to small choirs across the state. This included creating new music in English, as well as translating everything into Spanish. As we began the translations, we hit a roadblock. You see, Spanish isn’t as …
By Jill Jeffers, Jeffer’s Handbell Supply Love Rock and Roll? Love Pop Music? Well, this music is not just for drums and guitars anymore! I happen to know another instrument that is not usually seen on stage with the rock stars, but can still be just as fun and amazing! What instrument am I talking …