wording in advertising

[pianistimo]

i am putting up a flier for piano lessons -but am wondering if i should not mention that i like to use bastien.  i do not always use it - but tend to use it if a student does not have their own books used from previous lessons.  never saw the point in buying more books if one already has some.  also, i supplement with other.

anyways - here is my advertisement.  feel free to comment.

PIANO TEACHER

20 years experience.
Use Bastien method to start.
Willing to teach theory and sightreading skills as well.

Teach all ages.  Seniors welcome!

name and number 20 x at bottom

[ramseytheii]

i am putting up a flier for piano lessons -but am wondering if i should not mention that i like to use bastien.  i do not always use it - but tend to use it if a student does not have their own books used from previous lessons.  never saw the point in buying more books if one already has some.  also, i supplement with other.

anyways - here is my advertisement.  feel free to comment.

PIANO TEACHER

20 years experience.
Use Bastien method to start.
Willing to teach theory and sightreading skills as well.

Teach all ages.  Seniors welcome!

name and number 20 x at bottom

Pianitisimo- i dont think you need tomention bastien at all, because if they are beginners theywon't know the diference, and if they aren't, they will be beyond method books.  I would  also use certain words that make an impression, like the word "studio" - for instance, "My studio is open to students of all ages."  It sounds formal and impressive.  Do you have any degrees? Do mention them.

Walter Ramsey

[pianistimo]

dear walter ramsey,

thank you for your kind response!  you're nice - you know that!  yes.  using the word studio would be a good idea.  i actually do have a music studio, too!  it's at the front of the house and has my piano and organ in it.  the only problem is that my piano is out of tune at the moment.  so i am thinking of possibly going to the students homes for now.  but, maybe it's a moot point since i will probably teach out of my  home when i get it tuned.

also, yes - i have a bachelor's degree in piano performance.  i used to write that - but really people want to see results from my past experience.  although, with some people - they do like to see 'paper' on the wall.  i put my degree in the studio - but then took it down and replaced it with artwork.  i'm a renegade.  i figure that if they like what i'm doing - they won't care.  i suppose i should be 'proper' about things.  after all - this is the east coast. 

there is a certain amount of 'competition' here that wasn't in california.  but, i don't suppose it will matter once i have a few students.  seems that in california - once i had a few students - it snowballed and i had more by word of mouth.  in any case - i think i will try to approach lessons in as organized and professional way as possible - so i appreciate the comments.  i will put my degree back on the wall and try to have some circumspect about my approach.  no more bare feet at the piano.  ( not that i did before - but i did wear socks).

[pizno]

I agree, Piantisimo, lose the Bastien - they can ask you if they want to more know.
I would definitely add your degree - some people really care about that.
Also, add 20 years TEACHING experience.
Instead of 'willing' to teach, say that you teach it.

This is what I said:
In a fun and encouraging atmosphere, I can help your child develop skills needed for artistic piano playing, giving them a solid foundation to begin or continue their lifelong relationship with the piano.

Maybe too wordy - but it got the point across.  I went on to say:
I have over 30 years (someone said that 40 makes me sound too old) piano experience, including frequent performances as a soloist and accompanist.  I was a long time student of the late --------
have attended ---------workshop and am currently enrolled in ------------ where I am learning new teaching methods that I am excited to share with students.  I am a member of -------piano teacher's association.

Then I go on to list the focus as a teacher, sight reading, comfort and relaxation, blah blah blah.  And I list my price.

Anyway, it got my foot in the door, at least with families in the general neighborhood, and now the word is spreading.

Why don't you get your piano tuned before you start?

Pizno

[cora]

In my experience, it's not a good idea to mention your degree in the ad.

However, I'd mention it in the telephone interview if it felt right, and I'd always display my degree on the wall!!

People are most concerned with how you will relate to their child; secondly, your location, and thirdly, your price.

Personally, I wouldn't focus on your experience in an ad, but rather on what you will do for students. Besides, you don't want to sound old--or overly absorbed with your accomplishments.

[cora]

I hate to say it, but Bastien is really a poor method, by the way.

[jeremyjchilds]

I think that the less you say, the better. You don't want people to have preconcieved ideaas about you. Thesse ideas can hinder thier learning.

[Bob]

I would just put Piano Lessons, instead of teacher.  From their perspective.

[pianistimo]

thank you all for your kind responses.  i think i will do as most suggest.  put the degree back on the wall.  don't say anything about bastien.  in fact, perhaps try out a few other methods just to not get stuck on one.  and, focus on what the students are looking for.  seems that everyone has a different reason for taking piano lessons.

i will change the ad to say 'piano lessons' and not 'piano teacher.'  good point, bob!

[Bob]

The more general, the better.  You don't want to be too specific and weed someone out.

[will]

Willing to teach theory and sightreading skills as well.

Maybe sounds a bit negative, like you don't want to teach these things but you are willing to if asked. Perhaps something like 'theory lessons available' would be better.

Teach all ages.  Seniors welcome!

Again, maybe a bit negative. Aren't seniors part of the 'all ages' category? Or is it so unusual for seniors to want lessons that they need a special invite?

Like Bob said, you don't want to be too specific and weed someone out.

[nsvppp]

About the piano tuning. I wouldn't worry about it very much, because many people are not able to hear the difference. And the more experienced pianists will understand what happens if you move your piano. It will take a while to have a stable tuning. So start working in your studio otherwise people might think that you will continue to come to them to give your lessons.

[jeremyjchilds]

NO NO NO NO NO 

Your piano must be in tune...

You are teching piano performance, not "intro to piano."

People can tell when a piano is out of tune, and it says bad things about the teacher. A tuned piano makes a pianist sound better than they really are, and a poorly tuned piano makes them sound worse than they are.

If a prospective student comes and feels like they sound "just as good" or "worse" than they did at home, then they have no psychological justification to keep paying you to teach them.

[pianistimo]

thanks again for more responses.  agreed that perhaps adding 'seniors' after saying 'all ages' - is too repetetive.  i meant it in a positive way - but, it does sound kinda strange now that i think about it.

and thanks jeremychilds for the kind distinction of 'piano performance' being attempted by me.  truly, that has always been my goal.  not all students want to perform - but i usually make them anyways and they usually end up liking it.  who wants to play for themselves only?  once a student has applause they can't imagine not performing again. 

i don't mind going to the students homes if they live nearby.  but, it does save a lot of time to have them come here.  i have a double problem though, because i have no doors on my studio.  therefore - every noise in the house seems audible.  maybe this summer will get the doors.  my husband suggested windows in the doors.  there is also a bay window to outside - in case parents want to see their child from the street.
 

[Bob]

This is bad...  I read one of the posts wrong and this idea popped into mind...



PIANO TEACHER
20 years experience.
Use Bastien method to start.
Willing to teach theory and sightreading skills as well.
Teach all ages.  Seniors welcome!  Tall, dark, and handsome very welcome!
name and number 20 x at bottom

haha..

[cora]

Domineering piano teacher seeks passive students.

Submissive piano teacher seeks domineering students.

Teacher looking for hilarious students. No serious students, please.

Teacher seeks students for financial reasons. Otherwise, I have better things to do.

Start learning piano the hard way, in 1000 hard lessons. Call Sophie, 555-5555.

[pianistimo]

now, now!

i'll have you know i made the changes suggested (not the ones about tall dark and handsome or domineering and submissive - although i thought that was kinda funnY).  and, i dropped one off already at our favorite family restaurant in the 'take-out' area where people have nothing to do but wait.  i think it will get me a few students.  with three children, i don't want too many students.  maybe 8-10.  i enjoy teaching piano whether paid or not.  right now - it's a necessity.

you know - you pay the bills and say - where did the grocery money go?

[pianowelsh]

YOu could say 'open to all ages with a special welcome to mature beginners and restarters'  if you feel thats a strength say so. Adults need more of an encouragement to take the plunge so you need to go out of your way to make them welcome.

Less of the method bashing. If you want to discuss it fair enough start a new thread.  The teacher not the method maketh the student! and it is the teacher who is in question.

[jeremyjchilds]

I would just choose two very stylish words to communicate music's core values. Let these guide you in all that you do...

Submission
Conformity

[cjp_piano]

I was going to say the same thing about the "willing to teach . . "

Just say that you teach theory and sight-reading.

About the degree and experience dilema, I would just say, "qualified and experienced teacher."

[pianistimo]

seriously, i don't have a problem with unsubmissive students.  they're either too young to know - or too old to fight. 

i think the most difficult thing is to take a student who has been a student of someone else's for five years.  most of the time i have taken on new students (all ages) and given them 2-3 years of lessons.  it has been most rewarding and they all have seemed to enjoy and learn from the lessons.

conformity - yes - i tend to expect it.  i mean - generally.  i think if they have a better reason than i do for doing something --then i'm very flexible.  usually they don't know  much about playing and don't challenge me.  but, if i had an adult student and they asked me 'why this way?'  then i would give my reasons and ask why they thought it should or might be another way.  engaging students like this is quite thrilling actually.  it means they are thinking about what they are doing.

you know - it's hard for some people maybe to comprehend. but, our family has moved about five times in twenty years (two different towns - three locations /and one different state - two locations).  also, each time i've had a child - it's taken me a year longer to get back at it.  sometimes it's energy level.  sometimes it's having the house orderly enough to make it look professional - which is always a concern of mine.  i like things to be in order.  perhaps it keeps me from getting things done.  but, it always seemed that once i was back into the swing of things - it went pretty smoothly.

the only thing is - this time i really DO want more older students, as pianowelsh said.  the main reason being that i can teach them while the youngest is at school.  i don't care about the other two because they don't make noise.  she, on the other hand - is always making some kind of noise.  and, she needs my attention.  so - probably during school or at students own house - and then, on the weekends (when my hsuband takes the kids out of the house to go do stuff).

ps i never minded the moving that much because we moved up instead of  down.  we started in an apartment and now this is our second house because the last house was too small for three children.  the thing is - you have to start over from scratch if you move too far away from existing piano students.

[Bob]

You could always list the hours you prefer to teach.  Or offer a big discount if they take a lesson during those time -- 25% off, or double the rate for evening lessons.

[pianistimo]

25% off during the daytime hours, and double the rate at night.  bob?  what do you take me for?  some kind of twilight teacher?  admittedly - most students want you to accomodate their schedule - so i'm just adding gas money if i come to their home.  i do have to pay for the gas.  and, that way - if my children are making noise - it won't be heard.

i'm so happy today.  my older children saw my flyers and felt the need to comment today after school.  something about 'newb with microsoft' and the need to add color or lettering to make it look more interesting.  so, i said 'ok - i need help doing this.'  my daughter went to work and has come up with a very beautiful flyer with a grand piano on it and five wavy staff lines behind the words 'piano teacher' (with a script that i never would have found).  also, she knows how to turn the paper sideways and type the name 10x instead of handwriting it all.  ooh.  i'm looking at this and so very happy! 

[Bob]

What's twilight teacher?

Congrats on the ad.

If you keep it black and white, you can easily xerox more copies of it though.

[keyofc]

Pizno,
I like your wording - I think it is professional and still gets the point across that learning
can have the element of fun to it.

[pianowelsh]

Im sure you dont have a problem with ANY students pianistimo - your too long in the tooth for that malarky.  Do you actually possess a grand piano?? becarefull - you in the US right?? you may end up being sued under the trade and descriptions act if you make it apprear you teach on a grand and then dont! - if you do have one your safe!!

[pianistimo]

oh dear.  i don't.  now what do i do?  there isn't an upright picture in the 'artclips.'  can i use white out?  help. 

*i think there is a conspiracy on this forum to make me go fully crazy.  don't worry, pianowelsh.  you are the least of my problems.  (at least until today )

[cygnusdei]

for late starters or restarters, do you think age works to one's benefit or detriment?

[pianistimo]

i think it works both ways.  you just get to the point where you can muti-task and then you have some kind of health problem or nervous tick (or a stroke and your entire left side is paralyzed) and you don't have quite the nervous responses needed for professional playing.  (i thank God only my mind has been affected).  seriously, memory is now a bit of an issue for me.  but, it's coming back.  if you don't use it -you lose it- right?!

so i say - play a lot!  practice to your hearts content.  it certainly can't do an older student any harm.  in fact the benefits far outweigh the occasional feeling of depression.  also, older students are very enjoyable to teach.  they tend to ask more detailed questions and have more specific things in mind that they are interested in and want to learn about.  (which also helps the teacher stay on their toes).

[penguinlover]

These are all great ideas,  I may do up a flier myself using this imput!  Please let us know what results you get from it.   I hope you get all the students you want, and gain a waiting list!