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Laurie R. Nebraska

That’s an interesting question. I hadn’t thought about it until a few weeks ago when I met with the marketing reps from our local newspaper, which also does a Groupon-type deal every day and I have used a few times. One of them commented that when she sees the word “workshop”, she thinks of it as a specialty type class for people who already know some piano rather than trying something out that may continue into longer-term lessons. And, judging from all the workshop participants we’ve had so far (well over 100), I’ve been thinking I need to be more specific in explaining the workshop. I’ve noticed many workshop graduates who continue on are not really as dedicated or committed to a more long-term relationship with piano. Kind of like they’re still just “trying it out” a bit longer.

I think just some clever wording or more clarification on the possibilities and options might help. For example, instead of calling it a “Piano Workshop”, maybe something like “Intro to Simply Music Piano Lessons” or just “Revolutionary Piano Lessons” or something like that. I think it does leave people with a different perception. You could still use the workshop materials for the class, but I think they may have different expectations based on your wording.

Mark M. New York

I actually just recently rebranded my workshops as “Introduction to Simply Music Piano Lessons” — precisely the title you just posed. I did that both on my website and also through the continuing education programs I work with.

I also felt that the term workshop might be a little off-putting, but I further noticed that, repeatedly in the cont. ed. classes, people would ask if this was the whole thing or if there was more they could do. That made me realize that, despite my thinking that I was clear in the printed course descriptions and also in my own talking in the first few classes, there was a real issue in people not realizing there was a complete piano method behind this. And that made me realize that perhaps I was even missing some enrollments in the workshops from people who might have misunderstood and thought it was just 6-weeks and not wanted to bother unless they knew there was possibly more to come.

I have no idea what the real impact will be, but my hope is that by rebranding under this new title, people will be more clear that they simultaneously have the opportunity to get a brief taste of piano and that there is also a bigger buffet lying behind that taste if they want it. And I do think this will also help color people’s experience during the workshops themselves, creating more of an opening for clarity about how practice is needed, etc.

Carrie L. Michigan

We labeled ours 6 Group Piano Lessons. Next time I would do 6 BEGINNER piano lessons.

We are starting all new students in the workshops… Although I do believe it’s a great idea to rename it. Intro to Simply Music Piano Lessons sounds like a great idea.

If we do Groupon again I will be clarifying MANY things that were not clarified… that may not work for Groupon as we may get less interested. We got several students that continued on in the fall after a summer workshop but it was also a lot of work and very challenging. You could potentially double your studio (depending on how many you have) which can be great if you are prepared.

We have had Groupon students refer their friends already as well which is great!!

Elaine F. South Carolina

I have not used Groupon, but I offer a “Introduction to Simply Music Piano Lessons” four times a year with the local Older Adults Learning Institute. I take up to six in a class and for the past two years. I have had sold out classes every time. The sign up rate from these is not what I hoped. I have currently four students who came via this workshop. The best part is that the students are already in a group- and it’s a social thing. I just accept the fact that some sessions result in sign ups, but some don’t. Part of the problem is that the workshop costs them about $50 (including the Student Home Materials) and the ongoing lessons are more and lots of older adults travel a lot and can’t commit to ongoing anything.

I get paid nothing, but the advertising is worth it to me.