Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Teachers Forum yay or nay to this recruiting idea?

I have noticed lately a bit of a trend towards people wanting to get a good "deal" (more so than previously, particularly seen with sites like "Living Social" and "Grabone" taking off enormously), so I'm thinking of doing a letterbox drop in my area with my business card attached to a flyer advertising a deal of 3 lessons plus a lesson book for $65, and mentioning that this would normally cost $102.

I pretty much just want to get people in the door so I can win them over with my fabulous piano lessons :P Anyone had any experience with letterbox drops/offering "speical deals"?

I would say nay. It's been said that, for every 1,000 letters or flyers, you will get 1 actual client.

Word-of-mouth is the best way to get students. Maybe you can ask your students' parents to refer you new clients? You can offer them a gift or free lessons for doing this for you.

Mmm, I tried that last term - a free lesson with each referral - and only got one referral, and they didn't sign up, grr. I'm not having much luck...I think I might have to try a website. That's what folks on here seem to say pulls the most new clients (aside from word of mouth).

I wouldn't recommend advertising via discounted deals or print advertising for a few reasons:

- Most recipients will look at it once or throw it away with the rest of the junk mail
- People who aren't looking for piano lessons at the time will probably just throw it away, although if they want piano lessons tomorrow they'll struggle to remember whom they received a flier from
- It is proven that users of Groupon and LivingSocial are not loyal customers, as they are only looking for good deals and typically do not provide return business
- Discounting your price once puts you at the expectation that you can/will discount your price again

I advertise through my website (and used to do so through Google Analytics) because my information was being read by people who wanted to search for me. I tried print advertising during this past Spring and did not receive any inquiries for lessons. Once I started my website, my studio filled up quickly and now I don't have any openings.

Also, I don't offer free lessons in return for referrals. I find that parents who like me refer me out to their colleagues without expecting anything in return. They aren't looking for a free lesson. I usually give those referring parents' kids a small gift at the next holiday, though.

Everyone should have a Facebook page for their business and ask the students to like it and share with their friends. Post videos and various piano facts and info weekly at least. Post videos of students on the page as a reward if the student agrees. Students will share it with their friends on Facebook at that will help get the word out.

Facebook is free of course. Even if you hate it and think it is the root of evil it can really help. Almost every business including doctors and hospitals use Facebook for marketing.