How to Teach Piano: Advertising Your Profession

How to Teach Piano: Advertising

Any teacher who feels inspired to teach and who has had thorough musical training should not hesitate to make herself known in the community. False modesty prevents some teachers from earning an adequate income. They feel that it is not good taste to advertise “art.” The following little verse amuses me.

He who finds he has something to sell,

And goes and buries it down a well,

Is not half so apt to catch the dollars

As he who climbs a tree and hollers.

Always be ethical in your advertising methods, of course. Let pupils come to you voluntarily. Never try to take a pupil away from another teacher. Remember that the Golden Rule will never go out of style. In opening a studio in a new community, a teacher might accept “beginners only,” to avoid trespassing.

I smile to recall that, when I first began to teach, I did not hesitate to have printed on my stationery all of this:

Graduate, College of Fine Arts   Colleague of American Guild

Syracuse University  of Organists

JULIA ETTA BROUGHTON

Teacher of Piano of Pipe Organ of Harmony Organist

First Presbyterian Church Studio: 35 Arthur Street,

Telephone 193-J    Little Falls, New York

How to Teach Piano – Getting Students

When I opened a studio in St. Louis, in 1949, I had a folder printed with a photograph on the cover.

On the inside pages were a resume of my training and experience and a letter to prospective pupils and their parents. I found that professional cards were also useful. I had a dignified brass plate and door knocker put on the studio door. In black letters, it stated simply:

JULIA BROUGHTON

PIANO STUDIO

The first impression of a visitor was favorable, I soon discovered. When one entered the studio, two pianos were observed. I do not see how teachers get along as well as they do with one instrument.

How to Teach Piano: Referrals

Everyone knows that a good pupil is the teacher’s best advertisement. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” I hold one or two public recitals yearly and have attractive programs printed. By ordering more programs than I need for the recitals, I then have additional copies to mail to inquirers in the course of the following year. The programs that have looked best were printed in blue ink on a good quality of white paper in folder style. (See Quotations for Recital Programs in Appendix.) Let us not forget that every child likes to see his name in print. Adults, too.

How to Teach Piano – The Early Days

In my early teaching days I sent notices of my various activities to the Evening Times, in Little Falls, New York, where I was then established. As it was my custom to give concerts for the benefit of various civic organizations, the editor was friendly and printed my announcements and personal programs without charge.

How to Teach Piano – Another Example

If I attended a music festival or an organists* convention, I mailed him a postcard telling about it. My young nephew used to tease me, saying, “Aunt Julia, I saw your ad in the paper.” But it brought me considerable publicity. At the same time, it would have been of no avail if I had not also been conscientious in my work.

How to Teach Piano: Final Thoughts

Dr. Frank Crane once wrote an excellent article, “The Value of a Musical Education,” that was later issued as a small folder. It began: “Music is not a luxury. It is a necessity.” This type of advertising is appropriate, and appeals to parents. If you know how to teach piano the world can be yours.