Simpedia

Marilyn V., Arizona

I seem to have stumbled upon an inexpensive and effective way of advertising. I had a couple of 18″ x 24″ double-sided cortex signs made and posted them on a busy street in my area of town. The cortex is basically reinforced, plasticized corrugated cardboard and is very durable. Mine recently survived 40 – 50 mph winds. I had a local sign shop produce them for about $30 each. They are bright yellow on the top with the text in red, “Play piano, ages 7-107″ (Carrie, I got that idea from you, thanks!) and then a red border at the bottom with my phone in big yellow letters. They come with a metal stand with the sign inserted in the top and the bottom to be pushed (hammered) into the ground. (Not easily done in the Arizona desert, if I may add). For you Kindermusik educators, they are the same type of sign offered by Kindermusik.

In about a month I have had nearly 25 calls and seven students sign up, with several more strong possibilities. The text seems to be effective in promoting the notion that this is for all ages – a number of my calls and signups have been adults. I also like the “play piano” text which I borrowed from our business support manual. As Neil said in one of my startup training sessions, people don’t want to take piano lessons, they want to PLAY PIANO.

You will need to check with your local town regarding ordnances on the placement of signs such as these. I am lucky in that there is a narrow corridor between two local communities that has not been annexed yet and thus allows a place to post such a sign.

Hope this will be of some help. It has definitely provided the jump start that I needed to launch my studio. With continued calls from the signs and word of mouth, I feel confident about building my student numbers to the place I want them to be.