How to start an online music business?

I want start a music business but im only 17 and i dont know how?

• Answer:

  To start a music business here are some steps: 1. Create a general plan first. You have many decisions to make and it helps to map them out on paper. The first thing you must decide is if you want to sell CDs or music equipment. Do you want to create your own record label or are you interested in discovering new talents? Once you decide the direction you want to take you will be better able to come up with a basic plan. 2.Take inventory of what you already have and then make your second list. Your second list should account for the things you need to start up your business and how much they will cost. For instance if you open a music store that sells instruments than you need to write down how many of each instrument you need and how much each one will cost. This is going to be the biggest expense of starting up your business, but the most important one. 3.Write down your anticipated operating costs. These include your location and what you pay in rent, electric, gas, phone, Internet and other essentials. Under the operating costs make a list of how much you are willing to spend in advertising. 4.Take your totals to the bank or to some investors to secure your start up capital. Without start up capital you can forget the whole business. If you come in with a detailed plan they are more likely to take you seriously. 5.Check out your competition. What similar services are within a 30 mile radius of you? What have they done to get attention to their store? Are they marketing to a certain age group? How are their sales? This might give you an idea of how well you can expect to do. It will also give you some ideas to make your store or service better. 6.Create a marketing plan. Decide if you are going to create fliers, place newspaper ads, television ads, or hold an opening ceremony. Radio ads are also an option as well as billboards. You may even want to consider getting a website built and do some advertising online as well. 7.Get legal advice. This is key. You want to be protected from any lawsuits. Your lawyer can prepare legal documents and disclaimers for you. 8.Get insurance. If someone falls or gets seriously injured on your storefront you are liable. You will also want to consider offering a health insurance plan to your full-time employees. 9.Put your plan in to action and give yourself at least two years to start turning a profit.