Simpedia

Robin K. Washington

I just wanted to update everyone on the Grand Opening of Olympic Peninsula Music Academy where we offer Kindermusik and Simply Music in Washington.  Today we held our opening with Free Introductory sessions scheduled at 1:15 and 2:15. The morning was devoted to Kindermusik demos and an open house feeling. Things did not go as planned–and it was an amazing day! We had over 150 people into our studio, some existing Kindermusik students and many new students. I was in the middle of a Kindermusik demo when a bunch of people came in at 10:00 wanting to know about SM. I took them, and a keyboard, into a waiting room, and did a mini-FIS. Then the room filled again and I did another FIS. In total, in the WAITING room, I did six Free Intro Sessions (each about 20-30 minutes long).

At 1:15 it was standing room only (I have 24 chairs) and my three children played the demo songs. My children have had five very informal lessons spread over the past three months. They did so well–I was very proud of them. They even sang! I did another FIS to a smaller group at 2:15 and another to an unexpected group at 3:30. I am not clear on my numbers yet but twelve children, five teens, and ten adults are signed up to begin on Feb. 4. There are people who indicated they wanted to sign up but need to clarify class times first. I have another FIS scheduled for Wednesday and another next Saturday. I think I will probably have between 40 and 50 students to start! This is a very exciting start for me–and boy, do I know how to do the Intro Session now! I love Simply Music and I think that people really caught the vision today.

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Vonnie asked about how I got the names for the direct mail piece. I used a company called USA Data. They are a direct mail company and can provide you with a list of people that meet your requirements (income, area, children, age, etc). Kindermusik recommended them and offered an attractive price per name (.03 cents), however there was a minimum purchase of $75.00.

In addition, I believe that the list was about two years old. Any list will have errors and the company that actually mailed my brochures for me told me that our area is a little strange because it is small and isolated. Big cities would not have as many errors. I paid $80 for the list, $125 for the postage, $100 for the mailing service (printing the envelopes w/ the logos and return address and GRAND OPENING Sat from 9-1, and stuffing the envelopes and mailing them!). I had a few other costs: The KM brochures, and the printing of the insert with SM info and Studio info. Hope that is helpful!