Three Smart Strategies to Recruit New Students

Happy fall, my friends!

Or, more specifically, happy fall teaching (since it isn't technically fall yet).

I'm sure many of you have already started or are about to start your fall teaching schedule. I hope you feel rested, prepared, and excited to start a new teaching year!

For those of you eager to sign up additional students this fall, I've got three great marketing and recruitment strategies for you. Let's dive right in!

1. When advertising your lessons, be specific about what makes your lessons unique.

   
   

   Here's what I mean: rather than advertising "piano lessons" or "trombone lessons", advertise specifically what makes lessons with you a special experience. You could say you offer "piano lessons that inspire a love of music", or "brass lessons in all music styles".

   
   

   Characterizing your lessons in this way helps you stand out from the competition. It's also a subtle way of altering the parent's mindset about what they really want in a way that they're drawn to your studio offerings. I mean, who wants plain old cello lessons for their child when they can have "fun and motivational cello lessons"?

   
   

2. Follow through on your advertising promise in the introductory lesson.

   
   

   Ideally, you offer a free introductory lesson to each potential new student. But even if your first lesson is a paid one, be sure to have a well thought-out lesson plan that ensures you demonstrate your advertising promise in the lesson.

   
   

   If you advertised motivational lessons, demonstrate some motivational techniques you often use so the parent and student can see this in action. If you advertise that you teach both jazz and classical styles, demonstrate your expertise in these styles. (I go in to greater detail about this process in my Jumpstart Your Music Marketing coaching program.)

   
   

   It's not enough to state in your marketing materials that your lessons are, say, fun and motivational. It's important that you demonstrate these features when working with the student. Parents will be more motivated to sign up quickly and lock in your wonderful services for their child.

   
   

3. End the intro lesson by praising, engaging, and inviting action

   
   

   You don't just want parents to sign up for music lessons, you want them to sign up for lessons with YOU. So start to make a personal connection during and after the lesson so the parent and student feel seen and nurtured.

   
   

   Compliment the student on something they did in the lesson (listened carefully, were willing to try something new, picked up a concept quickly, etc.) Ask the parent if they have any questions. And be sure to give next steps: tell them what they need to do in order to secure a spot in your studio, whether this be getting in touch by phone, text or email, or completing a form on your website. (And be sure to follow up by email or text; parents are busy and sometimes need the nudge.)

   
   

   And if it happens to be true, be sure to mention that you have a waiting list or are getting lots of lesson inquiries for limited spots so they're inspired to sign up quickly.

If you like these tips and would like more, sign up for a FREE, no-commitment intro call to learn about my Jumpstart Your Studio Marketing coaching services.

Happy teaching!