Your phone rings… it’s a potential student! You talk some details and then you arrange an interview. For all intents and purposes this is a “done deal”. As long as the child isn’t hanging from your studio chandelier by the end of the interview you’re fairly certain that you’ll take him on as a student. And as long as it’s clear you don’t bite, the parent will likely sign him up. So, what’s the point of this interview? To simply check for light fixture fixations?
If you hold new student interviews you’ll want to be sure you aren’t making these 4 mistakes. Read on to find out how you can make your “meet and greets” work for you.
Mistake 1: Oops! I Thought This Was Just an Interview…
This interview isn’t simply a meet and greet. And it’s not simply an introduction to your piano teaching studio. It’s the start of a relationship… and you want to start right. Clearly show your professionalism, your ingenuity and your care and concern for your students. First impressions matter; they set the tone for the rest of your dealings with this family.
Mistake 2: Oops! I Peppered Them With Questions…
People are never “themselves” in an interview situation. You will always be met with their careful and guarded side. Do all you can to put both parent and child at ease. Avoid the tendency to treat this like a job interview and instead turn it into a mini-lesson. Put together the most fun introduction to what piano lessons with you will look like and allow Mom or Dad to see you in action and the child to realize just how awesome piano lessons are going to be. Putting people on the spot and creating awkward and stilted responses is not the best use of your time and you won’t often get candid and genuine answers anyway.
Mistake 3: Oops! I Forgot That This is a Marketing Opportunity Too..
You have a captive audience with the potential to create a ton of free advertising for you. This is a news-worthy event in their lives (their child is starting piano lessons… everyone will know!) and so this interview is the perfect opportunity to share three of the things you feel set your studio apart. Don’t fall into the trap of trash talking your competition, but instead present the three most fabulous aspects of your studio that you know cannot be found anywhere else.
Mistake 4: Oops! I Thought It Was Over…
So the interview is over, the policies reviewed, the child is excited and you’ve gained a new student! But it’s not over yet. Be sure to follow-up to further show your commitment to your students and your tendency to go above and beyond. Pop a personalized card in the mail addressed to your new student. Mention something they did particularly well during their mini lesson and include one thing that they can look forward to at their first lesson with you. It makes a huge difference in establishing your relationship with the new family, and it takes about five minutes to do.
The word “interview” sirs up images of awkward questions, stilted answers, and air of judgement. Banish these negative connotations from your first meeting and you’re sure to be scheduling many, many more of them in the near future!
Don’t forget that the initial interview is the perfect opportunity to really “sell” them on how unique your studio is. Once I show my potential families how I teach theory, encourage practice, teach composing to even young students, and motivate teens they’re practically begging for a spot! If you’re wanting help with bringing “wow” to any of these… we’ve got you covered!
Wendy Funk says
I am relatively new to the piano teaching career and I’m not exactly sure what a “fun introduction to piano lessons” would consist of. Could you please give me an example?
By the way. I LOVE your posts and I enter all of your ideas/suggestions in my “How To Be A Fabulous Piano Teacher” binder. After I’ve used one, I record how it went and what I would alter next time, if anything.
Thank-YOU so very much for sharing your wisdom and experience!
Jenna says
Wendy, I love your idea of recording ideas/suggestions where you can see them. I’ve been saving everything teaching-related to Pinterest, but I’m realizing it’s a bit of black-hole. I definitely need to try something like what you’ve done!
Rebecca Brown says
I never refer to this meeting as an “interview”. It makes me feel just as uncomfortable as the student and/or parent does. I call it a “consultation”.
Wendy…..Make sure you get their book “Piano Hands Shouldn’t Flip Burgers”. Very easy to read, and jam packed with great ideas!
Ioana Barrie says
I will have to start calling the interview a consultation. I do have to agree that I like the term better because it sounds more profesional.
Krista says
I like to use the term meet and greet instead of interview or consultation. It’s less clinical sounding to me. I did a few of these with some of my families. I was amazed though at how many didn’t want that. I primarily teach in my student’s homes.
Sarai says
Wendy, one thing I like to do for the first ‘mini-lesson/interview” is a fun “duet”- I play a kind of jazzy accompaniment while the prospective student plays each white key going up the keyboard. Or, you could use the Pecking Hen Duet in the Faber Primer book. Almost everyone does a pretty good job with it and enjoy being able to play a song the first day. And then maybe do some improv exercises. If the child is about 5, they generally like tracing their hands on paper when a colorful marker and learning their finger numbers. That can be the “theory” part of the 1st lesson.
Holly Valencia says
I agree, the first meet and greet should be comfortable and welcoming, with a friendly atmosphere; and at the same time being clear and firm on your policies. When I first speak to them on the phone, I don’t call it an interview, but an “orientation”. 🙂
Elaine Bovender says
I love the first interviews! I do everything I can to make them comfortable, even offering iced tea to the parents and drink boxes for the children. I relate one-on-one to the child, asking them what kind of music they like, what kinds of things they like to do in their spare time, etc. We go to the piano and I usually talk to them about the black key groupings, teach the student how to play a simple tune on the black keys and other little activities. I didn’t think about the duet, I’ll have to try that next time. Thanks for the great ideas. 🙂
Sandra says
You forgot one thing: ask if they have a piano — or at least a good digital piano with full keyboard, full-size keys, and touch sensitivity.
You wouldn’t believe the number of calls I get from families who have no piano in the house!!
Sandy Fortier says
So true. I’ve started sending our mascot home with students and asking them to take a picture practicing with the mascot. Now I’m getting an even better picture of the students pianos because I’m afraid some of them still don’t have an adequate set up when they think they do.
Barbara says
Thank you for this post! I’ve been following your blog for a while and I love all the articles! Most of it helped me a lot to establish my relationships with students! I’m having interviews with 3 new students this week and this post is really helpful, thank you!
Barbara
jenny says
Love the idea of a note in the mail! I’m going to implement that! Thank you!
Heather says
Absolutely ask if they have a piano (or digital instrument that meets your requirements) the first time they contact you. I’ve made this mistake many times. Some people don’t understand that they need one or believe they will be practicing at my studio.
natalie whittington says
I call it a “meet & greet” as well. And I’m with Sarai above…I’ve used the Pecking Hen a bazillion times. Plus I pull out Twinkle Twinkle from the Faber My first adventures yellow book and use colored flags on piano keys. No kid ever needs much instruction for that. I always pull out my games from Game Club, of course, and for my really little guys, I like Johnette Downing’s fun music and motion songs. Finally for my techies, Piano Maestro with the Ipad is always a big hit.
Vita Sibirsky says
I have been teaching for a very long time. It is essential to determine if the family has a piano or appropriate keyboard for the child to practice on. I get that question answered in the phone conversation. If they don’t have an instrument but do schedule an appointment, I have printed out material about where to purchase a piano, recommendation of low cost, but decent keyboards. If a family says.. They will try a few lessons to see if the kid like the lessons.. I will not accept the student. It is a waste of time and their money. I suggest they borrow a keyboard from a friend for the first few lessons or I tell them to call me when they do have an instrument.
Andrea says
Very good points Vita! Thanks for commenting 🙂