Here’s a statistic that through me for a loop… according to a US Gallup poll commissioned by the National Association of Music Merchants, in 2006 82% of people knew where to find a music instructor. However in 2009 this figure dropped to 67%.
What’s going on? That’s a substantial drop in a short amount of time.
Assuming there isn’t a statistical error, I do have an educated guess that might explain this surprising result. A guess that, even if wrong, is still right for piano teachers.
Don’t Forget Offline Advertising
You see, I believe the dramatic drop is due in part to piano teachers moving their advertising dollars online. And while I believe online advertising to be absolutely essential, I do not believe that piano teachers should abandon their offline advertising altogether.
Just because it seems the entire world exists inside our computer screens, piano teachers must never forget to be visible in the community. Yes, people will go to Google in search of piano lessons… but before they hit up Google you can bet they will ask a friend, a choir director, or a school teacher if they can recommend a great piano teacher. Will your piano teaching studio be the one that gets recommended?
Let Them See Your Face
An online presence is absolutely necessary for survival in today’s piano teaching world. But teachers should never abandon the tried and true. Get out in the community, let people see your face and hear your music. If you can perfect the fine balance of online and offline advertising your piano studio will soar.
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