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09 Nov

Above and Beyond: Offering More Than Lessons

by cconrad
in Marketing, Performance, Policies and Procedures, Program Development, Teaching
Comments

music workshopAs a piano teacher, the bulk of my job is offering weekly lessons to my students. But if I stopped at that, I wouldn’t be setting my studio apart in my community or creating a wholistic learning experience for students of my studio.

Yes, learning technique, repertoire and theory on a weekly basis is of the utmost important. But I also need to provide my students with opportunities to perform, compete, create and engage with other music students and music professionals and in doing so, expose them to a variety of things within my scope. This creates well-rounded, motivated students and lets my students, their families and the community know that I am an active and thriving studio.

Here are some suggestions for things we can offer to our students that go above and beyond weekly lessons:

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09 Aug

Maintaining a Positive Studio Atmosphere.

by cconrad
in Marketing, Policies and Procedures, Program Development, teacher resourses, Teaching
Comments

happy faceOne of the things that I think is so important as a music teacher, is to understand the end goal of the majority of our students. Most parents don’t enroll their students in lessons because they think they have the next Mozart on their hands (though you may end up having a few concert pianists in your bunch!) — they enroll them in lessons for the many benefits of learning a musical instrument, not the least of which is a richer and fuller life.

Keeping this in mind, it is important to inspire our students and help foster a love and appreciation for music. In order to do this, it’s vital to create a positive studio atmosphere. While you may have students who dread practicing (don’t we all?!), we want them to look forward to their time in the studio and be proud of what they accomplished.

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09 Jul

What Should I Put on My Studio’s Facebook Page?

by cconrad
in Marketing, Program Development, Teaching
Comments

Does your studio have a Facebook page? It seems as though nearly every business these days has one. When I am checking out different businesses — whether it’s a summer camp I want to enroll my daughter in or a new coffee shop in town — I often check out the business’ Facebook page. Checking out a Facebook page helps me get a real “feel” for a place or activity to know whether or not it’s something I want to invest my time and money in. When choosing an activity or camp for my daughter, I can often tell by the Facebook page if the business is active and thriving by whether or not they are posting events, photos and information.

What does your studio’s Facebook page say about your studio? Are you letting your community know that you are an active studio with a lot to offer? Remember that maintaining a Facebook page doesn’t cost a thing!  Free advertising!

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10 May

Summertime Advertising

by cconrad
in Marketing, Performance, Program Development, Teaching
Comments

farmers marketYou’ve finished your last lessons of the school year, thrown together a final recital and are ready to take a breather from all things studio-related. Rest and rejuvenation are important for studio owners, but don’t put your studio work on the shelf for too long — summer is a great time for advertisement and provides many opportunities to get your studio name into the community.

Here are just a few reasons the summer is a good time to advertise:

  • Parents have completed many activities from the previous school year and are beginning to think about what extra-curriculars they wish to enroll their child in for the fall.
  • As students move, graduate or decide to pursue another activity — you may lose some of your currently enrolled students at the end of the school year and need to replace their spots to maintain your current income.
  • Getting your name into the community during the summer helps current families along with your community see you as an active studio owner.
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09 Feb

Getting Through the Winter Lull

by cconrad
in Marketing, Performance, Program Development, teacher resourses, Teaching
Comments

lazyIs it just me, or do students seriously start lacking some motivation during the winter months? The “newness” of the year has worn off, holiday recitals are behind them, and the end-of-the-year spring recital is too far in the distance to really care much.

It’s frustrating for teachers.

So how do we as studio owners motivate our students and keep them moving forward instead of getting stuck in a rut? Here’s a few ideas:

  • Plan a winter event. It can be something informal and more laid-back, but still give your students something to work towards. Ask a local coffee shop if you can bring in a digital piano and have some students play their favorite pieces one evening, or talk to the library about having your dance students perform a number in the children’s section.
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