Why Didn't I Think of That?

......from Sharon

I know, I know, you are a music teacher, not a marketer! You love teaching. You love seeing the light in a student's eye as a difficult concept is finally understood.  You love hearing the progress that your students are making as they practice and learn and grow. Marketing isn't something that comes so naturally. Unfortunately though, waiting for word-of-mouth references can make for a slow build-up to a studio.

Marketing is an important part of every business, and it can be difficult to get going in a good direction. Here are at least a few things that can be done to help get the ball rolling.

Talk to the local schools (especially the music teachers)

As a parent (Sally is the music teacher in Whirligig, LLP), I find that I rely heavily on my children's music teachers (band directors) to help with finding private instruction.  I hope that they will be able to give me some guidance as I don't even know where to begin to look.  My children's band director puts together a list of suggested private instructors, and he appreciates any feedback he gets from parents as to the quality of the teacher.

Invite a local music teacher out for coffee and a muffin and discuss your experience and expertise.  Leave some business cards and flyers that will link to a facebook page, website or blog so that the students can find more information about you.

Accompany for competitions

(Back to the local school's teachers again.)  In my children's band programs, solo/ensemble competition is encouraged.  With the exception of percussion, most of the instrument pieces require a piano accompanist.  If the band teacher knows you are available and willing to work with the band students on polishing their pieces, that becomes a great reference for you.  It is another way to get your name out there, and to potentially increase the number of students coming from word of mouth referrals.

Senior Center

Are you interested in some more mature students?  Perhaps someone who has always wanted lessons, but for some reason was unable to have them as a child or young adult.  Now the retirees have some free time, disposable income, and a willingness to practice.  Pinning a flyer on the notice board, leaving business cards, and maybe even volunteering to perform or having a recital at the Senior Center would be ways to let this group know of your interest and availability.

Social Media/Website/Internet Marketing

The internet has become a source of everything these days.  Our young parents have grown up with computers and don't think twice about looking online to find anything.  Setting up a Facebook and/or Google+ page might be one free way to get an online presence.  You can have your own personal page and from that account you can set up a business page.

Blogs are another way to go.  Free blogs can be set up through a Google or Word Press account.  There are templates that can be used so that you can enter your own content and go.  You could keep that as kind of a message-board or "Note from the Teacher" that is directed toward your parents.  Parents of potential students can then see what your studio is up to and perhaps see links to some of your policies and practices.

You can set up your own website.  This will of course require a fee, and maybe even some design savvy.  It is important that the site look professional and appealing. An unprofessional website can discourage people from investigating your services.  Perhaps a parent of one of your students would be willing to help you set up a website.

If your community has a web page that features businesses, you might see if you can be included.  You can see about becoming a part of a piano teacher web resource page like this one http://www.pianoteachers.com/

Don't Give Up!

None of these methods are a "magic bullet" that will guarantee students in your studio.  No matter what  you do, expect it to take time, persistence and patience.  The key is to hang in there and not give up!

Hope these thoughts help!  Good luck with the new year!


Looking for tools to help reinforce theory concepts? Check our our theory games at Whirligig, LLP!