Question: How much effort should I put into following up with lesson inquiries? I have some people who will email or phone, I contact them, we have a great conversation and they seem interested. Then it’s the “Okay I’ll get back to you” line, and then I don’t ever hear from them again! Am I missing out on clients? Should I be “selling” my studio more aggressively? How many times should I call or email back to see if they are still interested? Please help!
This question popped into my inbox at a timely moment. My phone was ringing, my email was dinging… it was a busy day for me. And as I discussed time options for lessons, fees, coordinating siblings and the like, I realized that I had learned a very important lesson from my years spent coordinating a large piano studio: It’s important to sell your piano lessons, but it’s equally important to not chase your clients.
This is a careful balance… you don’t want to seem uninterested in new piano kids, and you certainly want to have a full schedule. But how much effort should you pour into following up and following up again with those clients who seemingly drift into oblivion after your initial conversation?
Play Hard To Get… With a Good Dose of Common Sense
I’ve learned (by making the mistake myself repeatedly!) that chasing rarely turns out well. And when you think about it from a different viewpoint it makes perfect sense….
Consider dating: If you are interested in someone, you make several efforts to let them know. If the other party is also intrigued then you’ve got something! But, if the other party remains stand-offish, it’s almost always a very very bad idea to repeatedly call, email… beg on bended knees… lurk outside their place of work. And even if the relationship does actually begin after this one-sided start, it’s very rare that it will then blossom into a mutually respectful, positive relationship. The grounding just wasn’t there to begin with.
See also – The Top 7 Secrets To Piano Teacher Public Relations
Same goes for piano clients. If they’re truly interested, they’ll seek you out. Repeated attempts to “close the sale” may end up resulting in that sale… but because the grounding wasn’t there (the intense desire to commit to piano lessons) you’ll most likely enter into a relationship that requires more work, effort, and flexibility (and eventually ends in heartache) than with those clients who seek you out with enthusiasm.
So, the next time your phone rings, remember to effectively sell your lessons, follow up once, and then let them come to you.
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Heather says
Works great on an iPad.
Nishaa says
Looks awesome on my phone! Great post!
Priscilla says
Clean and easy on my iPhone. Thanks!
Kelli says
I like it!
Anna L. says
Work fabulous on my iPhone 🙂 This is a lot easier to read!
Thank you for this post. I have had several students who have expressed interest in lessons, but after I have responded, I haven’t heard from them… Some of them I have followed up on and others I have left it in their ball park, but it’s good to be reminded from professionals in the teaching realm that it is not my job to persue students; rather to provide fun, informatie, and inviting lessons to the best if my ability to the students I do have. 🙂 Thank you!
Melissa says
Much easier to read your blog posts on my phone now!
stephen partridge says
Works great on my phone! Infinitely better to read!
Betsy Ogden says
Looks good
miss w says
Reading on my kindle. Very easy. I am not tech savvy!
Kerry Drombosky says
Love it!!
Stephanie says
I needed to read this this morning. I have two families who I have (future) trial lessons scheduled with, but I haven’t heard from them for several weeks. I’m not sure whether to expect the one family to show up on Friday or not! 🙁 I suppose if they are serious, they will eventually call?
Andrea says
Hi Stephanie – Make sure to call two days before, leave a message with a definite deadline for them to respond by (such as “Please confirm with me before Thursday at noon if you will be attending”). If they don’t respond then you have your answer but I definitely wouldn’t chase those ones too much… if they desperately wanted a spot with you they’d be sure to be in touch. It’s situations like these where we then spend time chasing money, dealing with make-up requests etc. etc.
Stephanie says
I called one last night (their lesson is/was scheduled for today), and she practically hung up on me! I guess that one is a no go, and I definitely won’t call her again!
The other one isn’t until next Monday, so I will call her today (or maybe e-mail, I’ll have to check and see if I have her phone number). She was a pretty good communicator as we were setting up her daughter’s lesson, and apologized when she made a mistake, so that makes me feel good about that one.
Unrelated, but you’d be so proud of me. Last night I phoned to check up on a student who missed her lesson on Tuesday (second week on a new day and new time for them). Turns out everyone forgot and they went to the fair. 😛 Mom asked for a make-up, and I said NO because she didn’t follow the cancellation policy. I felt bad telling her no, but I felt good at the same time, sticking up for myself like that!
Rivka says
Thank you! Much easier to read on iphone!!!
Gen says
Agree, this application is very nice on my smartphone. Also agree don ‘t chase clients, they know what they really want and actions speak louder than words
Nancy Wang says
Looks great on my LG phone!
Patricia says
Looks very nice!
Bronwyn says
Fantastic. love the new easy to read format for mobile.
Kelly Koch says
I also needed to hear this. I have one family whose silence has been deafening as we are opening our new music school. I’d love for them to let themselves off the hook; we have 24 on a waiting list so it’s not going to hurt my feelings. Helps me to remember that if I have to break off a relationship…not to take the chicken way out. Thanks again for reading my mind (or reading my mail?)…you guys ROCK!!
Andrea says
Ha ha… promise we’re not reading your mail… we just all deal with the same issues don’t we!? 🙂 I was in the same situation this week… in the midst of scheduling and holding spaces for people who were going to call back but hadn’t. I’m a nice person so it’s hard for me to learn to say “Sorry, I had to give away your spot” if they do eventually call back, but I have to have the best interests of my teachers and my business as the priority – as do you. If the family wanted the spots they’d find a way to contact you (there are SO many ways to be in touch these days that there’s really no reason to disappear unless it’s intentional). Email, leave a voice mail and give them a deadline to respond by… and then be okay with moving on 🙂 Someone else will always take their place.
Jackie says
If I can’t turn the first initial contact into a first interview/lesson, I don’t chase. My studio continues to be full. Work with your best clients, people who want to be there, and enjoy your work.
Andrea says
Great advice and well put Jackie!
Kelsey says
Looks excellent! And thanks for the timely advice!
Leia says
I actually never ever follow up. Usually, they call/e-mail me, I give them the necessary info, and let THEM follow up. 99% of the time they do. For the rest, I know they weren’t interested anyway, or got scared off when I told them the fees, so that’s fine! It’s good to play hard to get. Of course, I’m now not accepting any more new students, so I’m trying to learn how to start a waiting list – even when I tell parents I have no free slots, they call incessantly till I say “yes” to a waiting list option! LOL!
Corrie Anne says
This made me smile. 🙂 Last year, I was teaching music in a public school as well so I couldn’t accept any more students, but they kept calling & calling!! Now that I’ve decided to teach piano full-time and have more free spaces, I’ve had a harder time finding new students! I know September will be a good month though so I’m not too concerned. My Denver families like to vacation until the last minute before school starts!
Josie says
What great advice. I have found a bit of psychology helps too. If I have a good initial telephone conversation and they say they’ll call back, I just mention that I am a popular teacher whose schedule is almost full and the lesson time they are interested in may not be available by next week. Then leave it to them. It’s amazing how many parents will call back by the next day and sign up, rather than have their keen son or daughter have to wait however long on a waiting list!