When potential students’ parents call, do you struggle with figuring out what to say on the phone? What information are they looking for, anyway? This post offers some ideas and suggestions.
First, offer basic information about your studio.
The idea is to give them some details about how you run your studio, without overwhelming them. Some ideas:
- How often and how long are lessons.
- About other studio events: i.e., group lessons, the Spring Recital, the Christmas Party, the Summer Music Camp, etc.
- About other perks of your studio: i.e., lending library, SAT testing, lab time, incentive programs, etc.
- A little about yourself: how much you enjoy teaching, how long you’ve been teaching, what your teaching philosophy is (in a nutshell), or what your goals for your students are.
- Cost of tuition (save for last whenever possible), and what forms of payment are acceptable. Specify whether or not the cost of books and materials is included.
Offer Sources for Further Information
Once you’ve given them general information about your studio, you can then:
- Direct them to your studio website. There, they can perhaps find more studio information, your bio, pictures, audio files or videos, and forms/handouts such as your Studio Policies.
- Offer references. Talking to happy parents of current students is a great way to learn more about the studio.
- Offer a free trial lesson/interview with no obligation. This not only allows the parents/student the chance to meet you personally before making an obligation, but also allows you the chance to meet the student before officially accepting them into your studio.
Before hanging up, be sure to ask if they have any other questions. And always thank them for calling, whether or not they sound interested in taking lessons with you or not.
Tip: If you are like me and get a little shy/nervous on the phone, try making yourself a little list to keep by the phone. =)
What kinds of things do you make a note of telling potential students/parents?
Photo Credit: tylerdurden1 | CC 2.0
It’s also a good idea to ask them how they heard about you — then you can track how effective your different advertising strategies are.
Great addition, Alice! Thank you!
The free trial lesson is a great suggestion – very few people will turn down a free lesson and, if you can ensure they enjoy it, very few people will then not sign up. We’ve had lots of success offering a full month of free lessons (shortened time-wise). Has anyone else used this method? Have you found it useful? We usually have a 85% return.
I too have used free lessons and have a great success rate with it. To start my studio I offered 6 free lessons over the summer to my daughter’s classmates. Several families took me up on it, and most are still with me. I also set aside time over these last 2 weeks for new student “interviews” and had good success with that. Every single family that came to meet with me signed up for lessons so I would definitely encourage everyone to at least try it. The amount of time spent versus the potential income is well worth it.
I would also try asking for an email address while you have them on the phone. That way you can add them to your email list (with their permission of course) and keep them up to date on happenings in your studio. They may not be ready now, but keeping them in touch may generate a student later on.
You FORGOT a major thinh:
Telling what are your CREDENTIALS!
DUH
.
I personally don’t find it necessary to discuss my credentials in a typical phone conversation with a potential student. My experience is that most parents are already aware of your credentials before they call, or just assume you have them. But if that’s your experience of what’s important when talking on the phone with parents, then great — thanks for sharing.