Simpedia

Karen G., Tennessee

Hi Denise,

I have quite a few homeschoolers in my studio, although it helps that I homeschool! That was really how I got my foot in the door, but if you don’t have a child to fill that need, I think it is still possible to get the word out.

I would suggest searching yahoo groups for homeschool email lists that are in your area. Once you find them, send an email to the list owner asking if you can post information about your studio. I can’t speak for other areas/list owners, but generally the 5 or 6 lists all seem to be willing to just pass information on. You might have some interest generated, or you might not. Getting your information out by July or no later than August would be a good idea for the start of the school year. Some homeschoolers school year-round, others start during the summer, others follow a more traditional schedule.

This past year I have been teaching two group classes at a homeschool co-op. I had been toying with this idea for a number of years but never actively pursued it because the co-ops around here generally put a limit as to how much you can charge for a class. I didn’t know that it would be fair to my studio families to offer lessons for a deeply discounted price at a co-op. However, last spring, the mom of one of my current students asked if I would consider it. She worked out all the details and I have 11 or 12 students between the 2 classes. I’m not making any money on the classes (not really), but I’m looking at it as a good advertising venue. These kids are doing REALLY well and the parents are EXTREMELY supportive. I’m not sure what I’m going to do next year….. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it (although it is fast approaching!) At the very least, I exposed another 6 or 8 families to the method… most have experience with traditional lessons so they are all the more impressed with what we have accomplished. I am hoping that at least a few of these kids will play at the end of year talent show that I believe they have.

Cracking the homeschool market can be tough, however if you can get in, word of mouth advertising is easy to come by. Homeschoolers tend to be very networked and will definitely pass on any curriculum information that they feel is worth the value. When I first started teaching, I did give a homeschool discount. Many homeschool families are on tight budgets (well, I guess many are today!) and cost is a huge consideration for them. If I talk to a family that has monetary concerns and we can’t work out lessons, I will suggest they look at the learn-at-home materials. If they stick with it and get to the reading process, they will probably get back in touch with me…. if not, at the very least I have hopefully left them with a positive experience concerning Simply Music.

I know some have mentioned curriculum fairs…. word of caution, if they are statewide, you might have a lot of people going through who aren’t close enough to you to even consider doing lessons. It never hurts to get the word out, but it might not be a very productive avenue either. I have tried and tried and tried to get a booth at the major curriculum fair in Nashville for years and they seem to be so booked up that I never even get a call back. Granted, I haven’t been pursuing it very aggressively, but I’m also not sure I want to deal with an organization that can’t even send out information when it is requested.

Along the line of curriculum fairs are used book/curriculum sales. Sometimes they will allow outside vendors to come in and pay to set up a table. These tend to draw more local crowds. In my area, these used book sales seem to be associated with co-ops. So to find them, find your local co-ops and ask if they have used book sales. Also, some co-ops might let you put out flyers about lessons when they have their sign ups for the following year. I don’t know how they do it in other parts of the country, but here, most co-ops are signing up for the following fall by March.

Persistence is key…. if you want to tap into this market, just keep plugging away!

Robin T., Tennessee

Wow, this has really been a great post. Thank you for attaching the homeschool ideas. That is an area I have had absolutely NO SUCCESS in. I have Googled and everything as well, but nothing. I did get one group leader to send an email out, but no one ever called. Anyway, in terms of the Music and Martini’s, I used this as an FIS idea. I basically invited friends and told everyone to bring one friend. And, in terms of the drinks, I just served very simple mixed drinks with little alcohol. It is out of my home, so more like a dinner party thing. But, I did as a GIRLS NIGHT party type thing. WE played the piano and sang and just mingled, and then I talked about SM. I had a number to sign up to make it a GIRLS NIGHT each week for their lessons. Usually they will go to dinner and MARTINI’S after the lesson. However, I am also talking to a local Manicure / Pedicure salon in my area. I want to offer Music and Mani’s…. I will do the advertising for certain time slots and they will offer $10 off the price of a manicure. While they get the manicure, I do a quick FIS.

The MOPS group has been a big help for me. I have a friend who has been very involved in that and she has dropped my name several times. Additionally, I played for their Christmas party and handed out flyers, etc.

In terms of the liability, he is SEMI correct. My marketing background included insurance for a time, and that can typically come in to play if you have UNDERAGE drinking. You can hear about it when a kid throws a party (parents out of town) and someone gets into an accident on the way home. Since it was on the parent’s property and the parents were not insuring that there was proper supervision, then they can be held liable. But, as long as you don’t SELL it and are in a private residence, you can serve it. But, I only do it for the FIS, more like a dinner party thing….

Janita P., Nebraska

It may just take time with the non-believers of the SM approach, and as far as money…where there’s a will, there’s a way…

Give gift certificates to local homeschool meetings, conventions, libraries and military bases (here). This year more people have claimed them than ever before.

I tell the parents if the budget is a problem, order the Learn At Home (LAH) program and then come to me for individual lessons when they need it or are done with the video set.

Other ideas:

• Enroll one child in lessons and teach the rest of the family at home.
• Mom can become a SM teacher and teach her family and others for income.
• Barter with the SM teacher.
• Enroll as half-time students.
• Have grandma pay for lessons.
• Enroll both children but rotate children every other week.

SM teaches Foundation Level 1 at a local homeschool co-op for one semester. After their “trial” period, they can enroll in private studios.

Be honest with them. Brainstorm ideas with them. Put yourself in their shoes and they will trust you.

Robin T. Tennessee

Mostly I have done it through the Chamber and my friend in the MOPS group. Also, at FIS’s. I basically have resorted to saying that I do not teach private lessons. If I take on a student privately, it is with the understanding that they will eventually go into a group. Then, I tell them if they have any friends, office mates, etc. that want to take, we can put them into a group together. And, I emphasize my referral program which gives them more incentive to bring a friend. Also, through the Chamber, I belong to a Women’s Business group that has luncheons each Wednesday. You get to go to one luncheon a month, but they rotate who attends so that you aren’t eating lunch with the same ladies. I’m a big hit at those and that is really where I talk about the group lessons, ladies night out lessons, etc. I also put it in all my advertising about Lunch Lessons.