How to Start a CD Store
Music is all around us in everyday life. It's played in cars, waiting rooms, elevators, stores, and anywhere in between. ITunes and video games are giving musicians new platforms to distribute their albums, giving customers the ability to track older music by those artists. This is where a music store, if set up properly, can profit from the customer's curiosity.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- EIN (Employer Identification Number)
- Business License
- Unique location
- Merchandise (CD/DVD)
Instructions
-
-
1
Contact the IRS and apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) number in order to start your business. Obtain a business license from the clerk of courts in the county you are conducting business. Apply for a signage license at that time. This allows for a advertising sign to be placed at your location.
-
2
Setting up shop in a unique structure will set you apart from other businesses and help you become more identifiable. You can always choose a sparse location near a major business area, but finding an old firehouse, schoolhouse, or something related gives you the competitive edge you need to succeed.
-
-
3
Design your store around the types of music you will sell. Try researching other stores to see what sells the best at their locations before choosing which music you want to sell. Once you have the genres of music chosen, find memorabilia from garage sales, auctions, or look online for items to decorate your store. If you are selling rock or metal music you may want to purchase a few guitars from different players to hang on the walls. Make the customer feel welcome and comfortable.
-
4
Contact CD and DVD wholesalers that sell you bulk merchandise for a reasonable price. Call music stores to see who they use, or you can contact companies like Wholesale Discs and purchase from them.
-
5
Promote your store weeks before opening. Distribute fliers at local music shows, stores that sell instruments, coffee houses, and local newspapers.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Conduct music release parties at your store for CDs that are coming out. Have giveaways and special promotion nights where you are giving away a few items for free. Sell merchandise other than CDs. T-shirts, DVDs (new and used), and trinkets keep customers in the store and looking around, That's your goal. Play an array of music over the speakers. Even though you may sell just a few genres of music, it doesn't mean you can't change up the selection. Ask for feedback from customers and offer a discount for filling out a questionnaire.
