Finding New Customers - Piano Lessons

[Creatania]

This isn't for me but I'm trying to help someone with finding new customers.

He teaches piano to kids and has done it quite successfully in a town but looking to target people in a larger city.

Business Cards have been handed out but I thought they looked a bit too 'grown up' if it's being aimed at kids. Between 250 and 500 were handed out over 2 occasions and 1 person made an enquiry but didn't follow up.

Can any of you provide any pointers? What ahould be included on the business card/other marketing ideas? I've thought that local schools etc could be targeted but I'm not too sure what would be best.

 

[Merchant UK]

This isn't for me but I'm trying to help someone with finding new customers.

He teaches piano to kids and has done it quite successfully in a town but looking to target people in a larger city.

Business Cards have been handed out but I thought they looked a bit too 'grown up' if it's being aimed at kids. Between 250 and 500 were handed out over 2 occasions and 1 person made an enquiry but didn't follow up.

Can any of you provide any pointers? What ahould be included on the business card/other marketing ideas? I've thought that local schools etc could be targeted but I'm not too sure what would be best.

Have you tried canvassing schools, i'm sure there may be kids out there that may want to learn to play the piano. :|

 

[patientlady]

Schools
Piano shops
Colleges offering evening/day classes
Libraries
Church mags
Referral discounts
Facebook

 

[WebDesignHW]

How about those boards you always see in supermarkets?

Does he have a website? If not, even a free blog would help. A bit of optimisation for 'piano lessons + <town/city name>', a few links etc, depending upon how much competition there is, could get the site up there. Also a free Google Maps listing will be useful.

What about a referral scheme? This could be good

 

[deniser]

These things are usually done by word of mouth. The musical world in any area is generally very small and people know each other.

He needs to get himself known in the area by:

introducing himself to schools
doing some part time work with the local music service
offering himself as accompanist to Festivals, ballet lessons and choir practices
go to music related events, join a choir etc.
enter his own pupils for Festivals

etc. etc.

 

[woodss]

He's not aiming his business card at kids though, he's aiming them at the parents

 

[garyk]

create some video taster lessons get them up on youtube. Its all about content and the people that are really successful in this area sell courses so they are not limiting their prospects geographically.

 

[dattaglobaltraders]

Better target the parents rather than chasing kids ... Coz they ae one who is going to pay for their kids ...

 

[Cornish Steve]

When I gave piano lessons as a teen, I put a notice up in the local newsagent's shop, and that got me 2-3 customers. In addition, I arranged with my school to host a 90-minute recital - with half the proceeds going to the school and half to the local town band. The venue was free, it got me some nice publicity from all the posters around town and in the followup newspaper reports, a couple of hundred people attended, and I gained more customers. Of course, the recital needs to show off what you can do: I played a range of pieces, from Haydn to Liszt to Shostakovitch.

Today, I would probably place a couple of signs at busy junctions and in my front yard. A piano teacher near us has one with her name, phone number, and a picture of a piano keyboard - so you know right away what she offers. Most of all, though, as someone mentioned, word of mouth is important - so don't be afraid to offer a free lesson in return for a referral.

 

[Creatania]

Thanks for all of the responses.

With regards to the business card, how should they be set out? The ones he has just now are quite formal with usual details e.g. Piano Lessons, Name, Telephone Number, Email Address, etc. Nothing on the card says anything about Lessons for Children or anything to do with children. Hence the reason I think they are aimed at 'grown ups' instead of the kids. I recommended adding a bit of colour in but still keeping it professional looking.

Can anyone provide any advice on business cards?