We’re back at it again with our weekly addition of the Teach Piano Today podcast. If you enjoyed Episode 1, you’ll love Episode 2. If you just can’t wait, scroll to the bottom of the post and hit “Play”!
Today’s podcast will be of particular interest to any piano teachers who are struggling to find new piano students because they may be new to the profession, they may have relocated, or they simply may be going through a “rough patch”.
Towards the end of the podcast we’ll share a wonderful non-piano related resource that could have a major affect on your piano teaching success and on our entire industry. The author of this resource has an excellent TedTalk you may want to check out after listening to the podcast!
Maggie says
Great podcast! I am going to give this a try. I have been considering it for a few weeks and you have confirmed for me all the reasons why I should. Besides what have I got to lose? 🙂
Andrea says
Hi Maggie – exactly! The risk vs. reward is in your favor 🙂
Denise Thompson says
I really enjoyed your podcast. It is full of great, very doable ideas. I was wondering where you advertise these free piano lessons?
Thanks for all you do,
Denise
Andrea says
Hi Denise,
We try to put our advertising in front of a targeted audience. For example, when advertising WunderKeys we approach local daycares and preschools. Mass advertising (like newspaper ads) are really not an efficient way (and are costly). Social media is really a big one for us too. Think about who you are targeting (your niche) and then put your advertising where those people congregate.
Miriam Higginson says
Do your current students complain about not getting the benefit of those free lesson opportunities when they’ve been good customers?
Andrea says
Hi Miriam,
A good question! No, they never do. They’re happily in their “prime” timeslots and they understand that the free trial lessons are for timeslots that are left. Most of them had a free trial when they began so they “get it” 🙂
Jeannie says
When you first introduced Wunderkeys, you had suggested FREE lessons. It worked! I have used it with beginner lessons (age 6 – 8) and it worked again. Never had a complaint about FREE lessons from my other students.
Andrea says
Fabulous Jeannie! Yes, it really does work. We definitely wouldn’t suggest it if it hadn’t been wildly successful for our own studio, and we hear stories from other WunderKeys teachers just like yours all the time. You definitely don’t need to have a huge advertising budget to gain new students… just be willing to give some time. Thanks so much for commenting!
Angie says
I have been reading your blogs for over a year now and I have been thankful to be part of your community. This podcast has inspired me to move forward with some of my marketing plans including a half price wag jag deal for five weeks of lessons. Thanks again for all your hard work and sharing!
Sincerely,
Angie
Andrea says
Hi Angie! I’m so glad that you’re feeling inspired 🙂 If I could make a small suggestion – instead of offering 1/2 price for 5 weeks maybe try 3 free lessons instead. You’re giving away just half of a lesson more than if you were doing half price, but there is truly no stronger word in the marketing world than “Free”. I think it would be a bigger payoff for you for the same amount of “give-away”. Just a thought 🙂 Have a great week!
Barbara says
Loved this podcast. Your perspective of the free lessons being and “investment” and the return you can receive is eye-opening. So great to look at the bigger picture than just thinking “I’ll be losing $80 if I do this.” I also agree with the takeaway at the end about communal problem-solving vs communal commiserating. I know from experience it doesn’t make you feel better or help solve the problem to just re-hash it and complain about it. Our minds can be used for greater things. Thanks for continuing to remind us how great we can be:)
Andrea says
Hi Barbara! Thanks so much for your comment. We’re really glad you’re getting some value from the Podcast. Looking at the bigger picture both in terms of advertising (and in terms of our attitudes towards teaching) is a really good rule of thumb to follow – it ends up making our life much easier in many ways 🙂 Thanks for listening!
Leia says
Loved this! Listened to it on the plane 🙂
I currently have a full studio but might be relocating soon so will definitely keep this in mind.
Karen says
Thanks for all you are so willing to generously give to readers of your site! I am curious what you suggest in the way of materials for these free sessions. I know PianoAnne has a great beginners book that could be downloaded, and Susan Paradis of course. What about for older kids, however? Thanks again!
Julie Cleveland says
This was great. Definitely doing it for slots I have left.
Couple questions, saw another poster asked the same thing: what about materials? Certainly don’t want to give away method books, and they are probably not going to want to purchase books for a trial?
Here’s another quick question: Ok. Say, e.g., I have a trial student in my 415-5 slot on Thursdays (I teach 45 min lessons only, age 8 up, 30-min to 5-6-7) and another client comes along, who doesn’t want the trial or didn’t see it, just comes, say, word of mouth, a registers and wants that slot-how have you handled that? Switch the trial to another slot? Do you have something in writing when they begin the trial, other than the mandatory interview (great! idea).
Also appreciate much your info on how to follow up, week by week during their trial.
Thanks so much for the podcast!
Julie Cleveland, Instructor
Cape Ann Piano Studio, Gloucester, MA, USA