Sharing Materials
Found in: About Business, Claiming Territory, Coaches, Studio Management, Studio Policies
Joan H., Canada
How would you handle this situation: neighbor (parent 2) of a current student (parent 1) was interested in SM; current student parent 1 shares account info just to give the parent 2 neighbor an idea of what the digital materials are like etc. parent 2 enrols son with me, now my student. Both parent 1 and myself have clarified that student accounts are not for sharing materials, and the intent is for each student to have their own account and purchase their own materials. Parent 2 continues to use the account of parent 1 – they have had 8 lessons with me. the ony reason I know this is that parent 1 recently told me, as she felt badly about the situation which is also awkward for her. This is NOT about financial limitations. Is it my job to be the police? I had a discussion up front about it right at the start so they are well aware. Is there any thing in writing that I could share with her to clarify again?
Robin Keehn, Washington
I’d be VERY tempted to say this: “My license agreement REQUIRES that each student has their own materials. I require that you abide by requirement that you have your own materials. ” You could even say that their non-compliance puts your business at risk-HOWEVER I think that more to the point they are already claiming territory. Set them straight or let them go. This is only the beginning of the struggle.
Joy O., Alabama
Could Parent 1 change her password with Simply Music? Then Parent 2 would no longer have access and would need to purchase her own copy of SHM. Her credit card info is in her account, I would think. So it is definitely in her interest to keep her own account secure.
Laurie Richards, Nebraska
I agree with Robin – tell her about your license requirements, and that you have asked the other parent to change her account password. That way the other parent doesn’t have to have that awkward conversation. Then I recommend saying you can only continue teaching them once they have created their own account and linked it to your teacher account.
Joan H., Canada
Good news – the situation is resolved! The parent apologized and promptly created an online account. I’m so grateful as they were on top of all the other requirements of playlist, practice time, payment, use of tools etc. Thanks again – good reminder that what we think we have communicated may not be received as we thought or intended.
Original discussion started March 12, 2018