Comments for ComposeCreate.com

Comment on 5 Steps to a Successful Piano Teaching Business by Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:32:53 +0000

Good questions, Terry, and one that several people have asked. I’m going to answer that in a future blog post. Stay tuned!

Comment on Say YES to 12 months of Income as a Piano Teachers by Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:31:31 +0000

I pro-rate the tuition amount depending on how many lessons they have missed in the year. I make the “difference” due or subtract the difference (depending on how the pro-rating works out) in the first month so that the remaining months are all the same tuition rate as everyone else.

Comment on HL Winter Catalogue – 40% off by Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:29:51 +0000

Let me know how you like it Dianna!

Comment on How Do I Implement a Registration Fee? by Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:29:33 +0000

Hi Sally,

Boy, I think you’ll find registration fees and deposits all over the board in terms of amounts. Kristin charges a regular month’s tuition, which makes great sense for your own budgeting purposes. I only charge $30, but my families are already paying their regular monthly fee that month anyway. If the reason you are doing a registration fee is to get commitments from your students, then I might set it $50 or less. But, if you are going to use it as Kristin does to help your own budgeting, then I would set it for more.

Since your studio pays all up front, I would suggest making the registration fee due in early July or early August so you know who will be returning.

Comment on How Do I Implement a Registration Fee? by Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:26:51 +0000

Hi Megan,
Yes, my registration fee is non-refundable and I don’t use it for things like books. It’s just a fee that I can use however I choose. I usually use it for incentives or other expenses that come at the first of the year, but I make my students buy their own books. The purpose is exactly what you say: nail down the commitments and schedule, offset prep expenses for the year, have a “reserve” fund for incentives, etc.

I do not use it to guarantee anyone’s times. I don’t teach every day, so my schedule is pretty tight and parents and students have to be okay with a new time every year in order to stay in my studio. In August, I sent out a “schedule query” asking parents to cross out times that are absolutely impossible for them. I then plug everyone in, and send it out late August. Some parents are happier than others, but they know that I have to make it work with my schedule or there just isn’t room for them as a student. I am very, very protective of my personal and family time.

Comment on 5 Steps to a Successful Piano Teaching Business by Terry

Terry — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:32:06 +0000

I am trying to increase the number of daytime/adult students to expand my teaching hours and income. I live in an area with lots of children, but also a sizable retiree population. What do you think of offering discounts to entice those living on retirement income to fill those earlier time slots when the kids are in school? How do I market to home schooled kids that can come during the day?
Thanks, this blog is always filled with great business insights and I am awaiting Kristin’s book which is in shipment now.

Comment on How Do I Implement a Registration Fee? by megan hughes

megan hughes — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:24:13 +0000

So, Wendy, I am not clear: do you consider the registration fee non-refundable? If I pay it and then decide not to attend lessons, what happens? Is it used to buy music or materials for the individual? Or does it go to the general studio fund? Is the purpose to nail people down on their commitments, offset your prep expenses, or what?
I am thinking of charging a reg. fee, now that I am full. But I am unsure if it will do what I want: keep the schedule full and reduce conflict over returning/new students and times. Does it work?

Comment on Say YES to 12 months of Income as a Piano Teachers by PKN

PKN — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:35:04 +0000

I started charging students an annual tuition fee a few years ago. Students have the option of paying all at once in the fall. Or they submit 9 equal payments by checks post-dated September through May. I also charge a registration fee in the summer/early fall. I offer no discounts or adjustments for families or for early or lump sum payments. I do not like spending a lot of time book-keeping, and even with the use of automated invoicing system, I like to keep things simple. Although some parents balked a little with the change at first, and found the post-dated check payment system unusual, I have not had any significant resistance. New students simply understand that this is the way I operate, and they are free to look elsewhere if it doesn’t suit them. This system ensures that all students have paid for the entire year up front, and (hopefully) encourages a greater level of commitment. If students start in the middle of the year, I simply charge the registration fee and prorate tuition accordingly. I only teach 33-34 weeks per year since my husband also works on an academic calendar and we travel a lot in the summer and at Christmas. Most of my students don’t mind since their families also travel in the summer. I do offer “pay as you go” lessons in the summer for those who want them. In any case, this system could be tweaked for those who teach year round. Hope this gives someone food for thought or a little nudge to move towards an “annual” approach to assessing and collecting payment. I’m so glad I did, and it was an empowering act which made me more confident in setting and standing by my policies. I feel less “taken over” by accounting activities which I did not enjoy, and have more energy and mental resources for my students and doing the things I l0ve!

Comment on How Do I Implement a Registration Fee? by sally Rowsell

sally Rowsell — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:33:52 +0000

Excellent blog, and great advice. Thank you! ( I have just stumbled upon!) I request Sept’s cheque in full, non refundable, in June, and/or upon entry into the studio (if a new student).

You are prompting me to consider a registration fee as well, perhaps when I register for Sept, as we all work over the top outside the actual lesson.

My actual studio set up and schedule takes about 2 weeks.

Am wondering how much of a fee the bulk of people charge? My studio pays all up front in Sept by post dated cheques.

Thanks!

Sally Rowsell

Comment on HL Winter Catalogue – 40% off by Dianna Denley

Dianna Denley — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:37:14 +0000

Thanks for this as well, Wendy! I purchase Carol Klose’s Guide to Creative Composition as well (amongst other things).