Music Store Salesperson

$20,000 to $30,000+

Music Store Salesman

Educates consumers on new products and informs on product features, sells music accessories, instruments, supplies and more.

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A Music Store Salesperson is responsible for selling instruments, musical accessories, equipment, supplies, and/or sheet music. He or she might specialize in selling a specific type of item like brass, percussion, stringed, or woodwind instruments. The Salesperson can also act as a cashier, physically ringing up the sale, arranging for lay-always and more.

There are also a wide array of other things a Salesperson might be responsible for, including assisting customers in choosing the correct instruments for their needs – meaning, it is more than just showing a customer where they can find a specific item in the store. For example, if a customer comes into the store looking for a guitar, the Salesperson would be wise to ask a few questions like what the guitar is going to be used for. If going to be used in a band, is it a school group of beginners, or a more advanced musical act? Does the guitar need to be electric or acoustic? What size? These are just a few things the Salesperson must find out before they make a proper recommendation. From there, the Salesperson can also demonstrate a few of the instruments so the customer can get a better idea of what each sounds like in terms of the tone, etc.

If an item is not in stock, the Salesperson will take a special order for future delivery. Another means of making a sale for the Salesperson is to talk to local schools to see if the store can fulfill their instrument needs. In terms of compensation for their work, Salespeople usually receive a base salary along with a commission based of a percentage of sales.

Other Salesperson duties include taking inventory of existing merchandise and keeping tabs on what has been ordered and purchased. Some stores will even give instrument lessons, which are put on by the Salesperson, depending on their competence. Of course, they will usually be paid extra for providing this service.

In a Music Store, the salesperson either works regular store hours or a particular shift throughout the day, or can be considered a full-time or part-time employee.

Salaries
As mentioned, the salesperson can be paid through a combination of salary and commission. The salary for a Music Store Salesperson ranges from approximately $20,000 to $30,000 plus annually, depending on the size of the store and the level of experience the Salesperson has. As mentioned, Music Store Salespeople who are skilled enough to play certain instruments well can earn extra money by providing lessons.

Employment
Most cities have stores that employ these types of Salespeople, so prospects are good. Prospects are even better if the individual has the ability to play instruments.

Advancement
Salespeople can advance by finding work in larger stores, which would lead to higher salaries and the opportunity for higher commissions. They can also climb the career ladder by advancing to a position of Music Store Manager or Music Department Manager. After gaining experience, the individual can also open his or her own store.

Education and Training
Some Music Stores hire part-time Salespeople who are currently in high school, while other stores require their employees possess a completed high school diploma. Larger stores may prefer or require that Salespeople have college degrees; these applicants will have advantages over those who don't. Also, it is very helpful if the Salesperson is trained to play at least one instrument. An advanced understanding of musical theory and the ability to read music will also help your chances.

Experience, Skills, and Personality
Some retail experience is generally required prior to obtaining a Music Store Salesperson position. He or she must also work well with others, making customers feel comfortable enough to make a purchase. This involves not pressuring customers to make a purchase, but rather showing they care about the customer's needs and letting them know they will work honestly to find the perfect instrument.

The Music Store Salesperson will be considered a commodity if they can demonstrate the ability to play one or many instruments, as they can more easily show customers the differences between instruments, while also using their skills to provide lessons for customers

Unions and Associations
A Music Store Salesperson may belong to a bargaining union, depending on the particular store where the individual works. Depending on the store where an individual works. They might also belong to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), which is the trade organization that provides educational materials, training sessions, conferences, etc.

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