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#1300455 - 11/06/09 12:11 PM
donating lessons
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1000 Post Club Member
Registered: 04/11/09
Posts: 1166
Loc: northern California
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Hi,
Do any of you participate in community fundraisers by donating lessons?
Our schools have fundraisers and some teachers donate lessons but they specify that these are for new students only.
Any thoughts?
_________________________
Piano Teacher 1991
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#1300463 - 11/06/09 12:22 PM
Re: donating lessons
[Re: Barb860]
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7000 Post Club Member
Registered: 04/06/07
Posts: 7236
Loc: Boynton Beach, FL
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I did once for the YWCA. They held a silent auction and I donated 4 lessons, 1/2 hour each once a week. Since I teach piano and voice, I donated either, but made sure that the person did 4 lessons in either one or the other, and not 15 minutes of both, or switched back and forth. The person who won the lessons wanted her daughter to take some voice lessons. The problem was, she was much younger than I usually take them, and she was tone deaf.
So my advice to you would be to make sure your materials do look professional, because it's great exposure in the community. But be very clear as to what you are offering, for how long, and let them know what is and what is not including in the lessons all upfront so there's no misunderstanding.
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#1300473 - 11/06/09 12:32 PM
Re: donating lessons
[Re: Morodiene]
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5000 Post Club Member
Registered: 03/18/06
Posts: 5929
Loc: Olympia, Washington, USA
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Yes, I have donated packages of lessons to the elementary schools surrounding me. This was a win-win-win, because the school's PTA earned money, students/families got a chance to learn about piano lessons, and I got some new long-term students.
_________________________
"Those who dare to teach must never cease to learn." -- Richard Henry Dann Full-time Private Piano Teacher offering Piano Lessons in Olympia, WA. www.mypianoteacher.com Certified by the American College of Musicians; member NGPT, MTNA, WSMTA, OMTA
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#1300603 - 11/06/09 03:44 PM
Re: donating lessons
[Re: John v.d.Brook]
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Full Member
Registered: 05/28/08
Posts: 261
Loc: San Diego
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I think you have to be careful with these sorts of things. In my opinion getting off on the correct, professional foot is key to a solid-long standing and professional relationship. "Winning" piano lessons in an auction or raffle or whatever is simply not the best way to begin. You might end up with a great student but you may also end up with someone who just wants to "try it out for awhile" and is not serious. Also if they win the auction with say a $50 bid for 4 lessons and then the following month are now writing the check to you for twice as much or more....there can be an unconscious feeling of resentment towards you. I was recently burned by a family who was thrilled with me the first month and then it became like pulling teeth for me to get them to pay me my usual rate after. (This was even after I met with them at the beginning and went over my rates and contract!) This is also why I do not condone "free" trial lessons. Believe in yourself! You are worth your full rate 100% of the time! The more time one takes in getting to know new students, the longer the rewards. What if someone wins and they don't even have a piano? Is the gamble really worth your time and effort?
_________________________
M. Katchur
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#1300630 - 11/06/09 04:34 PM
Re: donating lessons
[Re: trillingadventurer]
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1000 Post Club Member
Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 1700
Loc: Kentucky
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A year and a half ago I donated a month of complimentary lessons to my son's elementary school fundraiser. After about 6 months I heard from the winner. She is still enrolled and now her younger sister is also enrolled. The mother referred her friend to me and I now have her friend's two kids in lessons too.
If you donate, be sure to put an expiraton date on the certificate. When I was trying to build my studio, this helped me.
It is strange to get started this way, but the parent who won the raffle has said "I'm so glad we did this." And she gave me Starbucks chocolates for Christmas!
_________________________
Ann
private piano teacher since 2007
Member of NFMC and MTNA
"I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now." Bob Dylan
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#1300791 - 11/06/09 09:44 PM
Re: donating lessons
[Re: trillingadventurer]
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5000 Post Club Member
Registered: 03/18/06
Posts: 5929
Loc: Olympia, Washington, USA
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I think you have to be careful with these sorts of things......
Also if they win the auction with say a $50 bid for 4 lessons and then the following month are now writing the check to you for twice as much or more....there can be an unconscious feeling of resentment towards you. I was recently burned by a family who was thrilled with me the first month and then it became like pulling teeth for me to get them to pay me my usual rate after. I agree. When I did it, my certificates had a 90 day expiration date, it stated up front the actual price of the lessons they were bidding on. It also stated that lessons were only for beginners - no transfers or students with previous studies would be accepted. Families wishing to continue would have to sign the regular contract just as any other enrolled student would. Actually, I printed out "fine print" on the back which stated that lessons were once a week, available at an open time slot, which would then be theirs for the duration, and it was on an use it or lose it basis. But most importantly, it put my name in front of a large audience of parents with kids who were the right age for lessons.
_________________________
"Those who dare to teach must never cease to learn." -- Richard Henry Dann Full-time Private Piano Teacher offering Piano Lessons in Olympia, WA. www.mypianoteacher.com Certified by the American College of Musicians; member NGPT, MTNA, WSMTA, OMTA
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