Simpedia

Sheri R. California

I was in a restaurant the other night and there was a gentleman who had just listened to the whole place sing happy birthday to him. On the spur of the moment, I went over to him, with a flyer I had on me, and on which I wrote “happy birthday – good for four free lessons.”

I had talked to five “strangers” that day about the method: the guy I had asked where the almonds were; the guy who put the paint cans in my car; the woman at the knit shop; etc., so I was feeling especially bold. By the way, I have yet to have someone give me a response that makes me wish I hadn’t opened my mouth. They are either polite about their lack of interest, or they are interested – I/ we have nothing to lose and I keep finding that it gets easier the more I do it.

Don’t know if the guy at the restaurant will call but when I mentioned it to my sister, another SM teacher, she expanded on the idea by suggesting asking restaurant owners to give gift certificates to anyone who comes to their restaurant for their birthdays. It could be a real win-win situation, with people going to specific restaurants because word gets out they can get a month of free piano lessons on their birthday. Maybe we’ll start a new marketing trend! How about joint advertising even along the lines of “celebrate your birthday with us and we’ll give you four of the best piano lessons on the planet.” Hmmm… I don’t know, but it’s a thought!