Turns out the calming music makes customers more patient. When slow-tempo background music played in the restaurant while customers waited for a table, they were willing to wait for an average period of 47 minutes per group of people. If the music was not as soothing as it was, the wait time would be 20% lower.
To sum up (literally), gross sales from both food and drink calculations showed quite a difference between the two types of background music. Customers spend an average of $55.82 when served with slow-tempo music, compared to $48.62 with fast music.
It is a common phenomenon for office workers to listen to music while executing daily routines at their desks. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between work concentration level and background music. This research would first follow examples in previous researches, and then explore the influence of background music on participants' scores on attention tests. We hope to gain a preliminary understanding of the possible influence of background music on people's focus and concentration when doing work. Thirty-two college students were separated into three controlled groups; all were given the attention test. Group [a] listened to background music while being tested for 10 minutes; group [b] had no background music at all; and group [c] listened to the music for 10 minutes prior to the attention test. The test was conducted in a "noise free" environment. The means and error rates for each group were then calculated. The findings showed that, in comparison with "no music at all", those who listened to music prior to testing obtained higher scores in attentiveness (most probably a supplemental effect of the music), whereas those who listened to music during attention test showed extremely high level of variation in attention test scoring. Background music does affect people's job-site behavior. In fact, all three test conditions - no background music at all, background music before the work shift, and background music during work - have affected worker performance on different levels.
On top of this, a HUI Research experiment concluded that simply playing brand-matched music over a generic mix of songs could see sales increase by 9%. (Which we unpack more in this How background music can boost your business post).
In fact, a study from Music Works found that 31% of consumers said they would return to a business if the music was right. 21% said they would also recommend that business. This explains why over two thirds of business owners claim that music encourages repeat business.
The cause for this productivity boost, according to additional studies, is attributed to the mood enhancing properties of music. This explains why 74% of employees who like music enjoy going to work when good music is played. And why 75% of business owners believe allowing staff to listen to music helps with team bonding.
It is important to know how, when, and what types of music you can play and the legalities of using music in your business. There are many nuances to consider when making music selections and determining how to use music in the most effective way to benefit your business.
1. Music can be used in a physical environment to set the tone or generate ambiance. Different types of music can be used to elicit positive emotions and create the desired atmosphere. 
Music in a business can help to keep customers in the store and keep them happy and engaged. Music played in a work environment can positively impact employee morale and aid in workflow and productivity.
2. Marketing strategies, promotional materials, and advertisements can all incorporate music. Music can help to create a positive image, promote brand recognition, and impact the way people view the brand.
3. Businesses often host live events either for the public or for their employees, and music is often played at these functions. Since music can be used to shape and enhance emotions, it can be a powerful tool in these environments.
To legally use music in your business, you will need to ensure that you have the proper permission to do so. There are many facets of music licensing that need to be taken into consideration when using music in your business. 
It is important to understand that any broadcasting of music that is shared externally (or even to a group of employees internally) will need a proper license. If you are sharing music through an advertisement, on the internet, in a work training session, or in a retail establishment, this music will need to be licensed.
5. Generally, a song will contain two different types of copyrights requiring two separate licenses: the sound, or master, recording and the musical composition. These copyrights are commonly held by two different entities. 
The composer (the person who wrote the music) will hold the musical composition copyright, while the performer or music label will hold the master recording copyright.
6. Any public use of music, whether this is a public performance, at a conference, in a retail store, on the internet, at a work training event, in a restaurant, or at a public event will require a public performance license. Playing music at virtually any gathering of people, outside of a small social or familial circle, will require a public performance license to legally play music.
There are a few different types of music that are used in businesses for different purposes. Music is performed live or played in the foreground as the focal point, or it is sometimes more desirable to have music playing in the background.
9. Music that is played at a public performance, such as by a live band or DJ, is performance music and requires a public performance license. Generally, the owner of the business supplying the music will have the necessary licensing. 
Performance music is meant to be in the foreground. It is typically the focus of the event. Performance music is useful for public events and corporate parties.
12. There are companies that manufacture content, called production music, that is less expensive than popular music and can be more easily acquired and licensed. The music is usually well-made. It just will not carry the same recognition value as popular music.
13. There is also music that is free and easy to download and contained in the public domain. No copyrights exist for this music, often because those rights have expired. For example, any music made prior to 1922 in the United States is considered in the public domain. 
Another option for free or inexpensive music is Creative Commons (CC) music. This music does not usually require any licensing; however, artists often ask that you give them credit for using it.
Music can play a big role in your business, either being used in the foreground or the background. It can affect how people think, act, and view your brand. It can directly affect how much they spend in your business.
These are some of the various benefits of using music in your business:
14. Multiple studies have shown that playing music in a retail environment can keep customers in the store longer and even potentially influence buying habits. Music can elicit positive emotions, and happy customers are more prone to open their wallets.
16. Music has the power to make employees more productive and happier. Research shows that employees who listen to music generally perform better and get more done throughout the workday, as three-quarters of workers report higher levels of productivity when music is played at the office.
Music is good for business, but it is also important to have the right kind of music. 
Music can be used to set the tone and shape the emotions and behaviors of customers and employees, and it needs to help you accomplish your goals.
19. When deciding what type of music to play in your business, you must first determine the purpose of the music. 
For example, is it meant to be background music that is not too distracting, or should it capture the attention of your audience to enhance your message? You will need to decide on the type of message you are trying to convey and choose music that will fit this purpose.
20. Music is designed to enhance your presentation, training materials, or advertisement, and/or influence your employees and customers. It is important to choose the right type of music for the job at hand. You will need to decide if it is more beneficial to use popular and recognizable music or if production music will be effective. 
The genre of music is important too. Different types of music can invoke different moods and subsequent behaviors.
21. The next thing to consider is the required licensing for music you will play in your business. Most music will require some form of licensing, and it's important to be aware of what you need and how complex it will be to acquire the licensing before settling on the type.
22. Another factor to consider when choosing music is the cost. Creative Commons and public domain music are free to use, for instance, while popular music can get quite expensive with licensing fees. Consider your budget for your project or business and how much of it you plan to use on music.
24. Another option is to use public domain, Creative Commons, or production music. These are often either free or inexpensive. While it may not all be recognizable music, it is generally good quality background music.
25. A B2B music service subscription is a great way to legally use music in your business. With a music service subscription, the provider takes care of the licensing, and all you are responsible for is a monthly or annual subscription fee to have access to their music catalog. There are often different tiers of membership options, depending on your music streaming and broadcasting needs.
You will always need to ensure that the music you are playing or using in your business is properly licensed and that you have the proper permissions to use it. The consequences of not doing so can be severe.
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