Advertising- Increasing Word of Mouth
Found in: Marketing & Advertising
Stan M., Ohio
Hey everyone,
I want to increase the number of people posting on my Facebook “page”, making Yelp comments as well as writing reviews on Google Places, etc. I know that these kinds of things not only increases your ranking in Google searches but also influences the local reputation of your studio.
Unfortunately, I have had very little success. People just get busy and forget. I can totally relate to that.
So I started thinking (Bernie and Laurie just said ‘Uh oh!”). Maybe if I gave students an “entry” into a raffle for when they do an online review, write a quote, or bring me a new client I would like the prize to be something nice like a full size keyboard or something like that (or gift certificate if they had a piano already). So I would give tickets to people who posted a review on Yelp, Google Places, etc and tickets for bringing me new clients. At the beginning of December, I would draw for the winner and whamo they have a great Christmas present for themselves or someone else.
The big problem: money. How do I get people to give me reviews without spending A LOT of money?
Carrie L., Michigan
I’d suggest you get them to do it RIGHT AFTER the lesson… pull up your laptop and ask people that you know will give you a good review to do it right after the lesson. I’ve done raffles for this type of thing and it really didn’t’ bring a whole lot of ‘help’. People are just busy… so create the time for them to do it!
If you can add testimonials yourself… you could use the Evaluation forms for ideas.
Robin B., Tennessee
I did something like this in my studio (still doing it), but I decided to pay for each one. I, too, had very little luck with the raffles. I’ve seen much better success with CASH MONEY! So, for mine, I do $5 per review. I have on my website (student only page that they can only access with a password) a direct link to each of my online review points. They just have to click and write. On some of them, they have to register. BUT, I offered this to students AND parents and my students are really on board.
Sometimes the parents help them with registering (if needed), but the students are leaving the reviews. But, the kids love the CASH! You can make it any amount you want.
I’ve found that on the raffles…. unless they can see the TANGIBLE product that they can win (maybe go ahead and purchase it and have it there for them to see…), they just forget about it or don’t feel it’s worth the effort. But, I also agree with having your laptop there for the students to do their reviews on while they are arriving or leaving the lesson.
Here’s an idea… create an advisory board of students and parents. Probably vary the different ages, etc. and go with people who have been with you a while. But, tell them you just want to bounce ideas off of them, maybe let them write articles or things for your newsletter, etc. But, ASK them what they would want. Give them three options to choose from and you can ask for suggestions as well if you like. You don’t have to create the “board” if you don’t want to, you could just email some that you know would give you feedback.