Don’t you just love those commercials that advertise a great product only to follow it very quickly with, “may cause vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, tooth decay, bed wetting… belly button fluff”!
The funny thing is… these commercials work… and most of the time, so do the products they are advertising. But, for the safety of the company, every possible side effect, no matter the potential chance for occurence, must be presented to fend off possible trouble. So they are presented… but not highlighted.
What does this have to do with my Piano Studio Policy?
Your piano studio policy is kind of like that long list of side effects. It will fend off trouble, but shouldn’t take center stage when signing up new students.
Just like in a commercial, you want your product (your piano studio) to impress potential clients. Don’t let your policies take center stage and deter an interested student. Instead, present your piano studio policy sheet once you’re certain you have made a great impression (but before clients have registered for lessons).
Oh… and don’t make a big deal about it. Explain your piano studio policies in a nice, non-threatening way. Nothing kills a family’s excitement faster than a list of DOs and DON’Ts!
Agreed. As our studio has grown, we periodically have to re-evaluate and update policies (late payment policies, or instance) and account for new activities (like getting permission to use students photos or recordings online).
Hi Michael,
You’re right – keeping things current and re-evaluating often to see what is working and what is not is really important. Thanks for the comment!
Do you have a sample piano policy that you use/recommend…especially as it relates to young children?
Hi Nicki
We do! We’ll make this a future blog post or we’ll put it on our resource page on the WunderKeys site. Thanks for the suggestion!
I know this is an old post, but I have a question. I am offering one free month of trial lessons as you suggest, and I am wondering, do you have the parent sign your studio policy before they start the trial lessons, or after they finish the trial lessons and decide whether or not they will continue the lessons? Does that make sense?