The art of filling your teaching schedule

PracticeSpot has put together the world's biggest guide to studio promotion - helping our visitors develop thriving, well-known studios.

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Inside this guide...

Section 1: Introduction :: Why this book was needed :: Hidden benefits of a full studio Reinvesting more back into the studio Choosing who you take When students leave Higher tuitions fees Big income gains from small fee rises Time out Greater flexibility when scheduling The holiday bonus Epic studio recitals Additional income streams Section 2: Getting Started Taking Stock Your list So why is there so much space? Now what? Create a copy of your Future Teaching Schedule Sample schedule Adjusting for reality Setting the right fee Reinvesting your gains Reinvesting your time Reinvesting your income A caution Being aware of what competitors charge Being sensitive to the students you already have Improving your desktop publishing skills The essential tools Becoming proficient Spending time on the bike Getting a good printer Critically assessing every ad you see Knowing your limitations Using quality stationary Your voicemail message Delivering the message with flair Don't memorize this piece Making the message friendly The qualification edge Upgrading your qualifications Where to start Highlighting your non-musical qualifications Section 3: Campaign elements Yellow Pages advertisement The power of a big ad Being noticed The impression of a thriving studio The physical space to display your message Raising your profile among your colleagues Raising your profile among retailers So how much should you spend? Are there any guarantees? Learning from the experience of others Triple checking your copy Keeping your ad fresh Professional help for layout The power of walking distance Show windows Special mailout campaign Sign on your house Maps and facts Reciprocated business cards Making it worth their while What if they say no? Call for replacements scheme Fringe benefits Setting targets Keeping track of where cards are Becoming a media expert Suggesting topics that may interest What if they won't talk to you? Out of area publications MASTERCLASS: Staying motivated Daily diary of "What steps did I take today?" Calculating the change in income Charting the growth in enquiries Referring back to this book Discounts for referrals The logic behind the poster Being generous with discounts Alternative incentives Making it easy for them Sunset clause Thanking and following up Combining forces with other teachers Combining with other instrumentalists Combining with same-instrument teachers Advertising a scholarship The hidden advantages For those who miss out MASTERCLASS: Lots of mousetraps The power of diversity Combining elements into a team Thinking twice before discarding Setting another trap while you wait Free lessons during the holidays Getting the word out Multi-instrument "samplers" Having brochures ready Concert/information session Leaving them with a gift Teacher exchange program So how does it help? Extra options for piano teachers A musical "fitness circuit" Targeting a niche Advertising your niche to other teachers Creating a network of niche referrals PracticeSpot Guide to Promoting your teaching studio By Philip Johnston Order Online ($28.99)

Section 3: Campaign elements (cont.) Becoming involved in local schools Getting started Casting a wide net How your efforts can help you MASTERCLASS: Call on your strengths Being smart about your choices Rating the ideas for compatibility Thinking twice before discarding Strategic partnerships with music stores Negotiating outside the square Swapping brochures Exchanging advertising space Creating a joint event Making use of your car The drive-through bonus Getting bumper stickers printed Promotion with other child-based businesses Where to capture parents' attention Likely candidates Inform local media about student successes Keeping schools informed too What sorts of achievements are newsworthy? If all else fails, post it yourself Sell a resource through a local store Possibilities for sales Allowing them to refuse Seeking publishers for your best efforts Advertising student concerts Ensuring a great atmosphere Getting the word out Organising a practice-a-thon The traditional fundraiser Fundrasing in the spotlight Letterbox drops Being prepared for redundancies The secondary impact The radius for your drop Making it look professional MASTERCLASS: Learning from other ads Starting with replicas Keeping a scrapbook Becoming active in your local MTA Ensuring other teachers know who you are Offering free lessons as a raffle prize Alternatives Finding suitable raffles Giving a free seminar for parents Preparing your presentation Deciding what to include Advertising your seminar MASTERCLASS: Be prepared to spend Coping psychologically with the cost Setting aside a percentage of your income Keeping accurate records Making the pie bigger Forget about the size of the slices Propaganda parents should hear about music lessons Creating a competition with a twist Some ideas Getting the logistics right Venues Sponsorship Competition brochure Entry forms Adjudicators/panellists/presenters Publicity Setting the participation fee Newspaper advertising Classifieds: sneaky tricks Ensuring your ad stands out visually Ensuring your content is memorable Consider an ad that is not an ad Display ads Being smart about the timing Being smart about which publication Being smart about where it appears Being smart about how the ad looks Making it look like news Refer them to your studio webpage for more Creating a shortlist before you layout MASTERCLASS: Repeated exposure Ensuring they've all at least heard of you Becoming a sponsor How can this help your studio? Possible targets Keeping your eyes open Writing letters to the editor Being careful with this Golden Goose Hosting your own community radio show So what would the show be about? The benefits of your own show Referring to it in other advertising Name recognition Benefits after the show ends Using it to promote your studio and students Becoming well known to colleagues The hardest thing about your own radio show Public bulletin boards How to find bulletin boards Maintaining your ad Helping your poster stand out Involving yourself in the community Get involved how? So how does this help? Volunteer to be media liaison MASTERCLASS: Stop thinking like a musician Reflect what they're looking for Hearing what they're really saying Mentoring for new teachers The experience edge So how can this help your studio? The benefits of ongoing association Establishing a support group Promotional merchandise How to get these custom items printed So how does this help? Writing your own column Suggestions for content So how does this help? Who to approach Rotation policy on rejections Starting a choir or chamber group Targeting the families that are most likely to come aboard The power of performance Being seen as a mover and shaker Why will students want to be involved Getting started Working with what you get Giving refular concerts Other ideas for groups Creating a feeling of belonging MASTERCLASS: Tracking your results Keeping the records you need Don't get setimental Swapping war stories Studio Webvertisement How to setup your webpage What your webpage will contain Ensuring your webpage works hard for you