You’ve got to play music, but what kind?
The music you use in your business should reflect your brand.
Are you an upscale salon with mature clients? Perhaps classical music works best for you.
Are you a fun, youthful and colourful salon? Upbeat pop and club music might be your style.
Some salons prefer to keep the music light and ambient so their customers can feel relaxed and pampered. It’s all about what suits the needs of the client.
“Music is what sets the tone and atmosphere for every customer that walks through our doors. All Musicians are creatives just like us and most of them are hardworking small businesses. We understand the power of music. It’s the heartbeat of our salon. We take our playlists super seriously because we realise music is more than just a backdrop. Music means business – not just for you, but for its creators too.” – Natalie Anne, Salon owner, educator and Influencer.
Playlist ideas
There are countless fun playlist ideas to keep your space fresh and interesting.
Set up a calendar featuring holidays, festivals, and special events of interest to you/or that aligns with your business. This shakes up your day at work and adds that extra something to your customer’s experience:
- Festivals – If there’s a big music festival or event coming up in your town that has become a topic of conversation, create a playlist featuring the artists on the line-up. If you get an influx of customers before the event, this is a great way to keep up the hype!
- Christmas Music – If you celebrate Christmas, choose songs that aren’t so typical. Create your own Christmas playlist featuring artists you like doing their own renditions of classics or find something new. Keep it with your vibe though – Christmas music can cover all genres.
- Aus Music T-shirt Day – This is a great opportunity to create an All-Aussie music playlist and celebrate by having staff come into work in their own music tees!
- Birthdays – Many people treat themselves to a hair appointment on their birthday. Cue up a birthday song for them as a nice surprise to make them feel appreciated!
- Halloween – Create a spooky playlist on the week of Halloween for extra fun
- Movember – Make a ‘Moustache’ themed playlist (think Freddie Mercury, The Village People, Hall & Oates, etc.) to celebrate Movember – A fun one for barbers!
Research
84% of hairdressers in the UK say playing music makes the salon’s atmosphere more welcoming or exciting. 60% of UK hairdressers agree that playing music increases the likelihood of customers returning
90% of people agree that music has a positive effect on business
2 in every 3 people say that spas and hair salons benefit from music being played.
Business Music Licence
Did you know you need a music licence to use music in your business?
OneMusic is Australia’s one-stop-shop for music licences so you can legally use music in your business. Whether you use Spotify, the radio, CDs or YouTube, you need a music licence. Permission to play music protected by copyright is required in a business/commercial setting.
Play it public and you need to pay a licence fee or get permission another way. The basic rule is if you are playing music to the public (e.g., to your clients and staff) is that music creators need to be paid public performance royalties – music licence fees.
Music has value – it entertains your clients, sparks conversation and makes them feel at ease in your business. It contributes to your business brand and can influence the behaviour of your customers. The music creators require payment in exchange for their music being used commercially.
Looking for more advice to enhance your business or do you want to find out more about licencing? Head to the Hair and Beauty page on OneMusic’s website.
References
1. VisionCritical research, April 2012 of 1,000 UK businesses. Entertainment Media Research, 2009 on 2,000 UK consumers and 2010 on 400 small retailers, hairdressers, offices and factories.
2. The Value of Music to Consumers & Businesses 2015. Leger, Canada
3. PRS UK https://pplprs.co.uk/themusiclicence/sectors/hair-beauty
