IT WORKS!!
I got a call from a mom wanting piano lessons for her daughter. The mom really wanted a teacher to come to their home to teach the lessons. I pointed the parent to my website and a prepared page I had at the site – The Advantages of a Private Studio. I asked the mom that I’d appreciate it if she would read the article and I’d call her in a few days to she if she wanted a free interview. About a week later I left a message on her voice mail and later that evening she called me saying she wanted the interview. The interview went very well and they told me they read the article. We began lessons the following week. The article did its job.
I know many studio teachers face similar circumstances. It is important, especially in our current economic climate that we acquire a certain percentage of students where the parents prefer that someone come to their home. This article on my website helped turn this type of parent to do something they initially didn’t prefer. I hope it will do the same for you.
For new students that do not come to you through a referral I think it is very important to get them to come to your studio for a free interview. Certainly during the interview you want to evaluate all you can possible glean — the family dynamic, parenting style, and the personality of the student. It’s also a time to present yourself to the parents THROUGH YOUR STUDIO as to the type of teacher and the type of instruction you’ll be providing.
And secondly, especially if the parents are shopping for a teacher, you want to keep your presentation fresh in the minds of the parents. You somehow must overcome the disadvantage of not being LAST. The last teacher interviewed has a strong advantage of being most remembered simply through the fact that less time has lapsed when the parents come to make their final decision.
If they have a computer and you have a website make sure you have something on your website that reviews THE SAME POINTS you made in the interview. The consistency of hearing the same points will reinforce your image. If you made three main selling points about yourself and your studio reinforce those same three points with an article on your website. If you make three new points the parent will have six points to remember and your initial impact will be diminished. Augment your image, repeat the same points. One of my short term goals is to do this through a YouTube type video presentation.
Now here’s the link to the article The Advantages of a Private Studio. I hope will help you win a greater percentage of those inquiries that want a teacher to come to their home, but instead choose you.
Feel free to give this link to those who make this inquiry. Sometimes hearing this type of information is better if it comes from an outsider. Or, just take the idea and rewrite an article that fits your studio.
http://www.pianoteacherpress.com/PLP-Private_Studio_Advantages.html
Blogging at Piano Teacher Press 
I’ve been an itinerant teacher for most of my 18 years of teaching. I currently do have one day when students come to me. But most of my week, I’m in the car traveling a few set routes to student homes. It isn’t for everyone… but I certainly don’t feel constrained as a teacher because of it.
I keep lots of music in my car. Lots and lots of music. My car becomes my mobile office. I am working on a better filing system for the back of my car. But there’s always plenty there. I have a large suitcase that I bring with me, too. In that suitcase I’ve got all kinds of games, flash cards, metronome, tuner, pens and pencils, highlighter tape, teaching aids… Plus, I have a laptop computer that comes with me. Students get to do their computer work right there on the laptop. I’m in the process of putting my CD library on the laptop, too. Plus, all of that fits on my iPod. The iPod also contains student accompaniment CD’s. I’ve got a tiny set of speakers so that we can listen to things right there at the piano. And most of my families have wifi, so we can even go online if we’d like.
I have to be organized. I have to take notes about what books I should bring for the student the following week… if they’re finishing up a level or if they’re needing a little extra technique work or if they requested a particular song. But I’ve got a system down, and it really works.
For a long time, I felt like I was sort of a second-class citizen being a traveling teacher. But I started to realize that I didn’t need to be constrained by the fact that many students have never seen my in-home studio. Yes, there are disadvantages… and there are times when it would be more convenient. But I hesitate to say that it’s always better to work in-studio. I’ve come to really like being on the road. Seeing them in their home environment, I get to know my families in a whole different way. And it’s a great selling point, especially for families with multiple kids. I do have to charge more and account for travel time in my schedule. But there are so many ways to take a studio with you. It’s not always a disadvantage.
Just a thought!!
Libby,
You have made the very best out of less than ideal situation. You are to commended for your resourcefulness. In my experience itinerant teachers are not near as dedicated or resourceful as you. But in one sense you prove the points I made in the blog. To teach well one needs much more than the piano. For you to do that your car must become your office. If parents really want the best a teacher has to offer the teacher must have their tools available at a moments notice. I think parents need to consider this information when choosing a piano teaches. Convenience should not trump all other considerations.
We fully agree that the private studio environment has many advantages… lack of distractions in the home from siblings, parents, guests at the the door, phone calls, etc., but there are more (and even more important?) reasons to consider a private studio vs. lessons at the student’s home.
I will agree that the advantage of having one’s investment at one’s immediate disposal is a great one. However, the Academy environment allows students to have peers that are unrelated to them. When students have friends that are like them, whose progress they can see and hear before or after their own lessons, and realistic goals aimed toward successful recitals, the advantage is more than convenience. Your students will push themselves to become better, and even motivate themselves to practice.
It may be inconvenient for a family to travel to your location for lessons, but we’ve found that people will travel any distance for the teacher/studio that “connects” with them, for quality of education, and for the greater experience of being an active participant in your school.
Just a few of our own thoughts… observations based on own own experience.
Best wishes for many more years of success, and for your students.
~~Friends at Allegro Music Academy, Sarasota, Florida.
I took a quick peek at what your musical academy was doing and it looked great. I heartily agree with you that interaction is so important for the piano student. Private lessons can be such a lonely venture. Students NEED to share that experience with others where piano isn’t such a lonely affair. Your academy is a perfect atmosphere to take care of that difficult area of piano study. Being a composer as well as a pianist there have been times that I have arranged music for piano and other instruments (sax, violin, flute etc.) and created ensembles for my recitals. They are always a hit and helps get young piano students out of the paradigm of only seeing themselves as a soloist. I’m sure piano students would continue lessons longer if they had more practical exposure in playing with their friends and having more outlets to display their musical talent. Thanks for your comments.