Due to moving around a couple of times through the years, I have had to build my studio from the ground up three times. Each time it has been quicker and easier to do so, due to the trial and error of my previous times, and also through a bit of business savvy that has been passed to me through mentors and friends. As teachers or musicians, we know how to do what we are good at – teaching and creating music – but what about the exposure we need to share our passions? You can be the best teacher out there, but if no one knows you exist, you’re still going to be lacking students.
There are a few gems in the online world that have not only taken me from zero to 32 hours of teaching within six months, but have ensured an ongoing online presence and waiting list. I know that a lot of people think that word of mouth is the best form of advertising, and of course, I agree that it is extremely effective. However, in this day and age, everyone uses the internet to search for anything they need, whether it be information, services, or shopping. Why not capitalize on it with the following online marketing tips and watch your studio grow?
When I wrap up another year of lessons, I always like to send out a studio report to my current students, and post a link to it on my website and studio Facebook page for prospective students to see. I do this for many reasons. At the end of the year, some students are feeling burned out with school, end of the year recitals and activities, and feel a bit down on themselves. I find that reminding them of all their accomplishments from the past year can help them feel proud and encouraged rather than stressed out and anxious. As current and prospective parents consider lessons for the following year, I also like to remind them about what my studio has to offer, and what sorts of things they have to look forward to in the year ahead.
One of my goals as a piano teacher–and probably one of the goals of many teachers and studio owners out there–is to avoid student turnover. I understand that many students who quit piano at a young age will go on to have regrets as adults for not sticking with music lessons longer, which I find heartbreaking. I enjoy transitioning students from elementary level music to intermediate and advanced repertoire, and if a student quits music lessons too soon, I don’t get to experience this with them. I also truly believe having happy students (and experiencing little student turnover as a result) is the best marketing strategy out there. If students are happy, they are less likely to quit and leave me to quickly find a replacement before it causes too much of a financial strain. And, if students are happy, they will provide excellent word-of-mouth references in my community–free advertising!