Become a Dealer: Lighting 101 - Helpful Hints

What are the requirements to become a dealer?

MBT Lighting & Sound is a leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of innovative, dependable lighting and sound equipment that enhances its every user.

MBT Lighting & Sound sells specifically to a dealer of musical instruments, audio, lighting, DJ supplies or any combination. Audio and lighting installation or contracting companies may also qualify.

Qualifications:

1. Must be a musical instrument, audio product, lighting product or DJ product retailer with a retail location. (We consider Internet dealers on a case-by-case basis.)
2. Must provide a resale tax number and copy of your State Resale Certificate.
3. Must provide at least three wholesale credit references in related industries.
4. Must have a commercial/business telephone number.

If you feel you will qualify as a MBT Lighting & Sound dealer, please complete the dealer application.
 
Who will buy lighting from me?
Every customer in your store is a prospective lighting customer…
The obvious lighting customer is a rock ‘n roll or wedding band. But did you know that churches and schools purchase permanent and mobile lighting systems as well? Plus, the mobile DJ, who bought his speakers and power amp at your music store, is a huge buyer of lighting products! The DJ market is growing quickly, and by carrying lighting and sound products in your store, you will become a one-stop shop for them. Additionally, nightclub and theater owners, who probably come to your store to buy speakers and cables, are also major purchasers of lighting and sound equipment. Ask your customer some questions, and you’ll quickly be able to identify how lighting and sound can relate to them.

How do I use MBT Lighting & Sound to attract new customers?
Lighting and sound products will bring new customers into your retail store. Many dealers find that lighting displays draw new customers, some of whom have never been in a music store before. Because lighting and sound products are so universal, they will attract people from bands, nightclubs, theaters, churches, schools, bars/restaurants and mobile DJs. All of these people have lighting and sound requirements, so why not encourage them to buy it from your store. Once they are in your store, you have the opportunity to sell them microphones, cables, speakers, instruments and more.

How do I update the LOOK of my store to satisfy customers?
When was the last time you gave your store a facelift and updated its appearance? Well, lighting is a great way to make some fast fixes. Lighting adds color, motion, brightness and excitement to your showroom. With lighting products, you create an experience. You can make your showroom into a concert atmosphere using products you already have for sale and lighting to jazz it up. Use beams of lights to highlight products like guitars and drums, and direct effect lights onto the floor to create a dance club effect. In darker rooms like the PA or speaker room, use a PAR can system and some effect lights to brighten the mood. In a well-lit area, add some pizzazz with mirror balls and white par cans. If you don’t have extra floor space, use the open ceiling space to hang lighting. Make your store fun, and customers will have fun shopping.

There is so much competition, how can I be different from my competitors?
Does it seem like too many stores in town sell the same guitars, amps and drums that you sell? Lighting is a great way to distinguish your store and set it apart from the competition. Add lighting products and you’ll have an added bonus to offer customers that the other guys don’t have. People are busy in today’s day and age, so they are going to choose the store that has the most to offer. Lighting displays illustrate to your customers that your store is truly a one-stop shop.

I own a retail store and want to become an MBT Lighting & Sound dealer. How do I use lighting products in my showroom?
Many MBT Lighting & Sound dealers use PAR lighting systems not only to increase lighting sales, but they also use lighting to highlight products on the showroom floor. Systems such as the MBT Lighting & Sound WEEKENDER, Stage Color Package or the DJ416 are VERY effective and successful in showing off products like drum sets, guitars, keyboards or PA gear already in the showroom.

Customers are drawn to bright lights. The added color, brightness or movement brings attention to both the lighting system AND music product. It’s a win-win situation. The most successful dealers incorporate lighting into their current showroom display to sell products on the floor, and the lights end up selling itself.

Setting up lighting may sound intimidating, but it’s actually very easy, and anyone can do it. You can set up a simple effect light display by using a portable truss system where you can mount five or six effect lights that you shine on products or the showroom floor. Make sure to have a simple on/off controller to manager your light display. You can also shoot off fog or bubbles with MBT Lighting & Sound’s Fogzilla and Bubble machines, or create a dark room to show off some other neat lighting effects like MBT Lighting & Sounds’ green or red lasers or the Kaleidoscope lighting effect. Have fun with it!