About Business
Accepting Credit Cards
Do any of you use the Credit Cards facilities when charging students? I have EFTPOS facilities. I have a machine that I rent from the bank. I used to have a manual machine but I LOVE the electronic one. I take payments, it tells me…
Keeping Teaching Materials in Good Condition
I’m new to Simply Music. However it didn’t take long for my physical Foundation materials to get crumpled by page turning. Any advice will be appreciated! I just use sheet protectors and binders. Works GREAT and have lasted years! I use hard laminate, spiral bound…
Pedal Extender
Now that I am paying more attention to my students sitting properly I am beginning to think about buying pedal extenders. Does anyone have recommendations? I’ve found these 2 on line: Vanda King: Pedal Platform requires No Assembly The mechanism adjusts in 3 increments from…
Wait list
We are at the point at our studio that we aren’t going to take any more piano students till February due to my maternity leave and the level of capacity we have right now at the studio. How do you all handle waiting lists? I’m…
Switching Traditional Student over to SM
For those of you who may be in a simialr position to me, here is a copy of a personal letter I sent to my existing students: “True to the policy of _______ Studio, I am always thinking about how I can best help my…
Time Management
I have a non-music related question regarding how you manage your own time in your businesses. I’m a new teacher, but also a mom of 3 with lots of other responsibilities (as I’m sure all of you have as well). I experience a significant amount…
Resume
This is the first time in 3 years that someone, when inquiring of lessons, asked me for my resume…. I’m at a loss. Any suggestions? I think in this type of work, our best resume’s are our references to former/current students and telling our history,…
Request Vs. Requirement Based Studios
I was not able to go to the San Jose Symposium and have really enjoyed hearing everyone tell how much they got out of it. I was able to attend the Omaha Conference last fall and it was pretty wonderful, too. Apparently, in San Jose Neil spoke…
Non Teaching Business Partners
I seem to recall hearing about at least a few teachers out there who have a business partner who does not teach. I personally would love to be able to just teach and leave all the marketing and operations to someone else. Can any of you…
Tuition Policies
How do you explain your tuition policies? I must be unclear because students are confused. This has happened 2-3 times in the past month so I need to change something I’m saying. I charge a monthly rate, but I will tell students when they call…