Here’s How to Keep Your Music Students Online Post Pandemic!
I've been asked this question again and again so it's about time we did a podcast episode on this topic! In this episode, I share 5 tips for helping you talk to and encourage students (and their parents) when they want to go back to in-person lessons.
If you take away anything from this episode please remember that YOU are in charge of where you teach. You don’t have to go back to teaching in person just because your students are asking for it. Just make your decision confidently and they will follow!
Today I'm attacking a topic that I have been asked questions about for the last few months and that is how to keep your students online when they or their parents want to switch back to in-person lessons. Maybe you're nodding your head right now. I know that you are likely facing this dilemma.
Let's rewind back to March of 2020, when the Pandemic literally shook the world. People everywhere were suddenly forced to be virtual. Virtual learning, virtual work, virtual gathering for families, even virtual Church worship. What a crazy time. Nobody could have ever anticipated such an impact as the Pandemic has had. It has changed how we live our lives and how we learn. Luckily, you and I were able to continue our jobs as music teachers online. Since then, you have learned skills such as video calling, screen sharing, using multiple cameras, online resources, sharing apps and games with students, virtual recitals, and so much more. So many skills that you were forced into. But I would hope you agree when I say that it was worth it, because you now have amazing skills that you can use for all students. I'd love for you right now.
Just take a step back with me and think about how much you've grown and changed in the last 18 months. Thanks to COVID, you truly have some incredible skills. Now, as an online music teacher, you can literally teach from anywhere. You can teach students of any age who live in any part of the world. You can create engaging lessons with music tools and apps and software that you didn't even know existed before. Naturally, I would like to think that you want to continue this way of education. You want to continue with online lessons. Let's admit that it is so nice having our driveway clear of cars. No students with illnesses coming into our home. You're saving money on gas, you're saving time on travel. You're not paying for studio space. There are so many benefits from the teachers’ side for teaching music online.
Connecting With Your Students
I want to shift and talk about things from the parent's perspective or from your student’s perspective if they are adults. As a business owner, first of all, it's about you. I know that, but we always want to be aware of our clients and our students and for us, the parents of our students. Your clients are done being virtual in many aspects. They want to be with people and in their communities, and they want their kids to be with friends. So it should come as no shock or surprise to us when they say they want in-person lessons because that is what they've been missing. That is what they are craving right now. I say all of this because I don't want you to be offended or even get anxious when this topic comes up with your students, just don't be making a decision right now. That when the topic comes up, where a parent just wants to talk to you about it, I need you to be understanding and first be a listener. They are important people for you, and we don't ever want to ruin a relationship.
I want to give you five tips. These five tips are actions that you can take as you start shifting your studio or as you truly want to stay online and you're trying to figure out how to do that. You're trying to figure out should you do that. So as I talk through these tips, I want you to listen very carefully for the tip that you need. Everyone is on a different journey in their business and each is at a different place with their students. I want you to think about which one you can apply today, this week, or right now in your studio.
Becoming A Better Studio Owner
Tip number one, as we just talked about, be understanding. Listen to the parent and try to understand where they are coming from. Now, listening does not always mean agreeing. Okay, so if someone is going on and on and on, you don't have to agree with everything they say. But you can listen and just validate their feelings and their concerns. Often, the conflict that arises in businesses just needs to be validated. Your customer just needs to know that they can express emotions and feelings to you, the teacher. So listen and validate.
Number two, talk it up. What I mean by talking it up is to talk up online lessons. I want you to remind them of how well the student has done online. Come up with a list of things that you could remind them of, depending on the student. Maybe you were amazed at how well they learned, with how quickly they progressed through the material. Maybe they are progressing with how they listen to you online, with how good it was for you to see them on their own instrument in their own home. You loved seeing how comfortable the student was playing in their own home. You also liked how the parent was available if the student needed help and you love that the parent is more aware of the student’s progress. Focus on this list on the student and the positives. We always want to focus on what's positive. Also, think about how the parent might not always be aware of those things. If you were to put yourself in the parents’ shoes, they may have other children in the home. They are likely married. They have a job. They have a lot going on that they're unaware of how that student is actually doing in their online lesson. Unless you've been communicating with that parent regularly, how are they going to know? So when these conversations come up, make this an opportunity to tell them what is going well with online lessons.
Okay, tip number three, announce your choice. Teachers, I am going to be so blunt with you right now. When you give your students an option between the two, what do you think they're going to choose? Nine out of ten times your student is going to choose in-person lessons. So stop throwing your arms up in the air and complaining about it. I want you to just decide whether you are online or you are in person. Do not give them the option unless you want most of your students in person. You only want a few online, if you prefer in-person lessons. But if you are loving online lessons, just take a moment to stop and think about whether you want to be online or in person. Students’ and parents’ needs aside, what do you want for yourself? What do you need for your family? Are you enjoying the convenience, flexibility, and all the other benefits? If you are, then I want to give you absolute permission to stay online. Don't feel pressure from anyone else. Do what is best for you. Okay, okay. Going back to announcing your choice.
I want to add to this that you don't have to explain yourself in any way. Let's do a little comparison. When a local business moves its location, they don't put a list on the door of reasons why the other location is a better choice. Then they're not having to explain to customers. They just move, and it updates on Google. All the same goes for you. Your online location is your choice and you don't owe anyone any kind of explanation. In fact, if we try to explain things, we give them room for asking questions, and we can end up digging ourselves into a hole. If you can just confidently say that you are now an online teacher, people will understand. But don't feel like you need to come up with any kind of excuses.
Tip number four is to fill your studio with value. While you don't need to explain away your decision, it would be wise for you to have a studio package that comes along with online lessons. Share with them the benefits of online lessons, focusing on interactive media that keep students engaged. By sharing this, you're showing parents that you know what you're doing, not just that you care about your students. Show them all the tools you use. You have media, recitals, interactive games, apps, competitions, bonuses, recording sessions. You use YouTube, all of these things that you probably didn't do before as a traditional teacher.
Tip number five, be likable. When you go to Google and you look at reviews for a business, you want to see good things. Let's say you're looking at a restaurant, and you find a small restaurant in the area. You see a whole bunch of reviews that say “the owner came out to talk to us.” “He was so nice.” “We love him so much. We can't wait to go back and see him again.” “He always tells us about his family.” “It's so fun to catch up and see that he remembered us.” It makes such a difference in your business to connect and be likable with your students. That can never be overdone. That doesn't mean you need to be the grandma down the street, or be the best friend, or take your students to the movies or buy them ice cream. All it means is you need to be happy, have a happy demeanor, put a smile on your face and be pleasant to work with. Be somebody that they want to do business with. And I believe as you are more likable, they'll stay with you wherever you move your business, they will come. But also that's when you get lots of referrals.
Okay, to go over the tips again. Number one, be understanding. Number two, talk it up. Number three, announce your choice. Number four, fill your studio with value. And number five, be likable. Before we go, I want to emphasize that I’m your coach, your business coach. I'm giving you full permission to stay online if no one else is. And I am so sorry if you're getting heat from students or their parents. Students that you care about. That it's hurting your feelings. That is not easy when your feelings are hurt. Just remember that there are more students out there who are looking for excellent online teachers such as yourself. And I know you can find them.
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