As music consultants and curators, we understand the impact background and ambient music has - from grassroots coffee shops to global hoteliers - in creating the right atmosphere.
We are Team Curation all day because we genuinely believe in the power of music to elevate your business. If you're unsure about its value, consider this: the right music, or even the absence of it, can significantly impact your business in ways you might not have realised.
How am I damaging my brand by not curating my music selection?
Driving customers away
The wrong genre or volume of music can make people leave earlier than planned, directly impacting your bottom line. The local radio station packed with chatter, ads and the same Top 100 songs on rotation all day everyday? Your employee’s mixtape made for his girlfriend 8 years ago? This can create a sense of dissonance, making customers feel less comfortable and prompting them to leave sooner, not only shortening their visit but resulting in missed sales opportunities and a weaker impression of your brand. In other words, you’ve just unlocked a surefire way to kill the mood and push potential repeat customers out the door. By investing in tailored music solutions for your business, you can ensure your soundtrack aligns perfectly with your brand’s identity and customer expectations.
Brand misalignment
We say this a lot but we’ll say it again: the music you play should reflect your brand. A cosy coffee shop playing hardcore techno at 9am (a true story) will leave customers confused about your identity and turn them off - making it harder to establish a loyal customer base. Even if you personally love the music you're playing, think about:
- Is it right for your space and does it represent your brand?
- How often can you feasibly add and remove songs to keep your playlists fresh and employees engaged across locations and zones?
- Are you blending in with your competition or have you found a sonic identity that helps you stand out?
Tailored background music solutions ensure that your playlists stay fresh, on-brand, and create a cohesive atmosphere across all areas of your business.
Legal fines
If you're playing music without the right licenses or plugging the aux cable to a personal Spotify account, you could be hit with some hefty fines. Depending on how long you've been doing it and how big the breach is. If you're caught, the fine often doesn't stop there; you could face an extra 50% charge on top of the standard fee as a penalty for playing catch-up. For businesses with larger spaces, multiple areas and locations or heavy music use, this can quickly spiral into a nightmare expense.
Investing in licensed music solutions helps you avoid legal headaches while maintaining a bespoke approach to your soundtracks. Find out more about Licensing here.
Lower dwell time
Studies show that people spend more time in stores with the right kind of music. Playing the wrong music that doesn’t match the brand or the mood according to the time of day can make them want to leave sooner, reducing the time they spend in your space and ultimately, purchasing. By strategically curating music that reflects your brand personality and adapts to the different moods and energy levels throughout the day, you can craft an environment that feels seamless, enhances customer experience and drives meaningful business results.
Team morale
The atmosphere in any workplace is tantamount to team morale. Music that stands out as overexposed, songs that repeat throughout the day or come across as jarring (Pirate Metal anyone?) can create irritation and frustration, impacting employee mood, collaboration, and job satisfaction. Over time, this can lead to higher turnover and less engagement, which has direct costs for your business.
The solution? Curate music to fit your space
So, how do you ensure that your music is helping, and not hurting your business? The key is thoughtful curation of fully licensed playlists.
In hospitality, retail, and office environments, music is more than just background noise. It’s a key part of your business strategy. The right background music solutions can enhance customer experience, boost sales, and improve employee productivity. But, as we’ve demonstrated, the wrong choices have the power to do the opposite in both obvious and not-so-obvious ways. Take the time to curate your music carefully, and you’ll see how powerful a tool it can be when used correctly.