Do you want people to recognize your studio name around town? Have you thought about ways to get name recognition? Wouldn’t it be great if people searched for piano lessons in your area, and when they saw your website they immediately recognized it and said, “Oh, yea, let’s check them out!” In today’s very short episode, I share some fairly inexpensive ways to get brand recognition, and a fun success story, too!
Episodes about: business
30 BONUS: Clinton Interviewed on Topmusic Piano Podcast
I was interviewed by Rachel Ehring of the Topmusic Piano Podcast. The show is about creative resources, trends in piano pedagogy, and ways to grow your income. I share my journey from solo teaching to managing a team of instructors, detailing the challenges and rewards of expanding my studio. We discuss the innovative Benchmark Program for tracking student progress, strategies for building community through recitals and group classes, and tips for teachers considering a similar path. I also reveal upcoming projects, including a no-practice-required group class and my ongoing work with the American Eurhythmics Society.
26 BONUS: Clinton interviewed on Rewind Podcast
I was interviewed by Amit Weiner of the Rewind Podcast. His show’s main focus is: How to Grow Your Music Career. He interviews musicians, composers, professors, and sound wizards, as they share their life stories and career decisions. We talk about some of my life story, how I got into music and became a piano teacher, and how I grew my studio.
24 The Way to Evolve Your Studio (Amy Chaplin)
Amy Chaplin is a piano teaching entrepreneur — In addition to running her private studio, she is a blogger, podcaster, and presenter! Today we discuss three of her “big picture” studio evolutions: lesson formats, group class scheduling, and dabbling in other ventures. We talk about the motivation behind making changes and advice on evolving your studio. You’ll enjoy hearing her stories even if you aren’t looking to make any major changes!
23 The Way to Engage Parents (Barbie Wong)
How do you help parents motivate their children to practice? Is there such a thing as a parent who is too involved? Should parents sit in on lessons? Barbie Wong joins us to discuss how to educate and engage parents so their children will thrive in piano lessons! Lots of great tips and stories in this episode!
19 The Way to Master a Multi-Teacher Studio pt 2 (Jordan Thomas)
This is the second of a two-part interview. In the last episode, Jordan interviewed me about teacher pay including fair rates, negotiating, benefits, living wage, tuition rates, and teacher raises. In this second episode, Jordan asks me about other aspects of running a studio such as: What do you look for when hiring a teacher? Do you train teachers? If so, how? How much leeway do you give teachers for how they teach or what materials they want to use? How do you keep continuity if a student switches teachers in your studio? How do you prepare teachers for transfer students from outside your studio? If you don’t have an administrator, how do you manage everything and when is a good time to hire one? . . .
18 The Way to Master a Multi-Teacher Studio pt 1 (Jordan Thomas)
To shake things up, our guest, Jordan Thomas, interviews Clinton! It all started with Jordan’s FaceBook post in Piano Teacher Central about the feasibility of a multi-teacher studio business model as opposed to a solo studio. Jordan is a solo teacher and has been considering expanding, but has questions about how to make it work. I answered some of his questions in his FaceBook post, but we decided to discuss it on the podcast and share it with you! This first part is all about teacher pay. He asks me: How do you pay teachers fairly? How do you provide incentive for them to stay at your studio? What benefits should a teacher consider when working for a studio? Does your tuition have to be higher in order to properly pay teachers and run the business? If so, does that deter potential customers? How and when can teachers get raises? Do you negotiate pay if a teacher expects or asks for more? . . .
15 The Way to Sustain Summer Income
Do your students want to take the summer off or want fewer lessons, resulting in reduced income for you? It can be frustrating, stressful, and depressing to have to struggle for income in the summer when your students drop off or take breaks. Don’t worry, The Piano Sensei Way has solved this problem! Not only can you maintain your income in the summer months, but I show you how to actually increase it! And you’ll be surprised to know that this is possible even when your students want fewer lessons, and even when you want a vacation, too! We talk about having a flat rate tuition, special projects or events in the summer, and different options for students to add on extras. This episode is taken from a YouTube live Q&A so you’ll hear some questions and comments from the audience. “Summer Camp Guru” Jennifer Foxx actually joined the stream to discuss her ideas and help me answer audience questions!
10 The Way to Be Confident in Your Policies (Tiffani Smith)
Tiffani is back by popular demand! We talk about being confident in your policies in order to protect your business, produce efficiency, and increase satisfaction! We both share examples and stories of how confident policies helped our studios. We disuss many tips on how to be confident including: explaning the protection, efficiency, and satisfaction to clients, practicing in front of a mirrow (yes, really!), role playing, telling clients you’ll get back to them so you have time to think, keeping it brief, and combining confidence with kindness! Tiffani reminds us to make policies that are easy it implement and easy for clients to follow. Be sure to communicate your policies clearly, and be open to refining them as needed.