Teaching and marketing to adult students
Found in: Adult Students
Ruth P., North Carolina
I wanted to share my experience in teaching Simply Music to adults. When I began about five and a half years ago, the majority of my students were children. For various reasons – over time – many of those children left. I realized that my real interest was in working with adults and I began to target that population. I now have about 25 adults and one child in my studio. It has been great because most of my career has been working with children in public schools and although I love children, it is a refreshing change for me to work with adults. I want to encourage other teachers who might also enjoy this to consider it. I’ve had to do very little advertising as word-of-mouth spreads. When I do need more students, I simply use Facebook and my neighborhood chat group and the word gets out. I had an introductory session last week with five people – and all signed up. Their ages were about 56 to almost 80. I say this just to encourage other people to consider working more with adults. Retired folks are great and are looking for something enjoyable to do. The adults in my classes also have become very good friends and meet sometimes for lunch and an afternoon of playing piano together. I love to see that!
Robin T., China
I really like the idea of working with older adults who have always wanted to play but maybe not had the opportunity. Simply Music is a great vehicle for helping them to succeed.
Pamela S., Missouri
And if adults are taking lessons it is because they want to do so…not because parents are making them. I love teaching adults because they are SO good about practicing! But they do resist improv/comp much more than kids, in my opinion.
Glenna B., Montana
This is the age group I would love to target! Any suggestions for finding students? I am in a very rural location. I don’t even have a neighborhood. The closest city/town is 20 miles from me.
Ruth P., North Carolina
I could see how that would be a potential issue, being pretty far from your students. I’m guessing, however, that there are some people in your location? I think word-of-mouth is always the most powerful – so simply opening your mouth when you’re in circles of people and talking about your work is the first step. As I mentioned, I have been very successful with social media. When I am preparing to have a free introductory session, I post something about the time and the purpose along with a link to Neil talking about Simply Music. I have a neighborhood chat group that I also use to get the word out. Any civic organizations you’re part of – a church, Girl Scouts, Rotary Club, Etc, is a place to share. Also you might find a retirement community nearby that would love for you to come in and teach a class or two!
Jacqui G., Canada
Until recently I lived in a tiny community in a remote rural area. Ruth’s ideas are all super, especially word of mouth. Remember, you are your own best advertisement! Radiate enthusiasm about Simply Music. Carry business cards always, and a notebook to jot down contact info (don’t count on them contacting you). Leave posters and flyers where rural folks are sure to go when they head to town: post office, laundromat, doctor’s waiting room, grocery lineup, public library, local diner. Make sure posters have tear-off tags with your contact info, or a pocket with your business card. These are also good places to meet people – be on the alert for opportunities to strike up a friendly conversation.
Rent a table at community events such as rummage sales, fall fairs, small business fairs. As people pass your table, give them a big smile and say, “I’ll bet you always wanted to play piano”. It always gets a conversation going!
Offer the Simply Music Workshop program. The short 4-6 week commitment appeals to people who must travel a long distance to your studio, and I have had a 90% sign-up rate from workshops. Another big selling feature in a rural community with no “neighborhoods” is the ability to do remote lessons via Skype or FaceTime. This works well for both group and private lessons.
When a local group is holding a silent auction or raffle, donate a free workshop, or discount coupons on startup lessons. I got my first adult student at a dinner and silent auction. She sought me out and said, “I don’t suppose you could teach ME piano…”
Most importantly: be the best Simply Music teacher you can be – and your fame will spread like wildfire!
Heidi M., Canada
Two-thirds of my students are adults. Most are friends or friend referrals. I greatly enjoy teaching children because they are so much fun! But I like the adults for other reasons. They appreciate SM so much because most of them were previously disillusioned by traditional lessons and they look forward to practicing as a stress relief from their busy lives.
