Music Teacher's Helper - Your music studio manager

The Waiting Room

Thu November 15th, 2007 by ronniecurrey

Every home studio needs a waiting room, bathroom and teaching studio. In this article I will tell you how I use the waiting room to promote my business and retain students.

My studio waiting room has the basic furniture, such as several recliners, rockers and a long couch. Magazines are put out on a coffee table by students, parents and me. I also have a water cooler in a corner as well as a 27″ television set hooked to cable. This is a must for a waiting room.

Other items in the waiting room are to promote and retain students, such as…

  • A snack bar, which contains a variety of snacks. I look for bulk items of candy and other snacks that average about 25 cents. I sell the snacks for 75 cents, and the purchaser puts the money in a jar next to the snacks.
  • The end tables display my business cards, which parents take quite frequently for interested friends. I also let the parents display business cards and fliers for their business.
  • A large bulletin board displays announcements and photos of studio events.
  • In the front of the room, next to the tv, is a computer which runs a PowerPoint presentation of studio news, music trivia and photos of students and various musicians. There are also reminders such as when the monthly fee is due.
  • I have a payment box in the waiting room which has an opening on the lid for parents or students to drop their monthly lesson fee. This box also helps to remind them that they need to leave a payment.

I have witnessed many different activities taking place in the waiting room when I walk in following a lesson. A few of them are:

  1. A mom, cross-legged on the floor, with her checks spread out, balancing her checkbook.
  2. A father asleep and snoring on the couch.
  3. A group of parents watching a football game, and asking if they can stay around a few more minutes.

At least once a month, when a student is in the studio on a different day and time for a makeup lesson, the student and parent find another parent and student in the waiting room who turns out to be close friends of theirs. They both knew that their children were taking music lessons, but had no idea it was from the same teacher.

Yes, the waiting room is a magical place for parents and students alike, and a valuable resource for the teacher.
What are ways you put your waiting room to use? Any suggestions?

Posted in Studio Management |

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1 Comments (Add Comment)

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  1. Great article Ronnie. I will begin to implement some of your wonderful ideas! My studio is in a music store so outside of my door (which is like a commonly shared waiting area) I post on the wall in 8.5 x 11 frames letters of praise and student achievements such as audition scores, letters of acceptance to music college,or camps. I also have a daily paper set out with a sticker attached that I have printed out that reads "courtesy of Toby Fairchild: Percussion Instructor". I may not logistically be able to make use of it at this time, but I really like the powerpoint display that you use. I will brainstorm to try to find a way that I can implement that idea for the benefit of all the teachers at my studio as a whole...i.e. payment reminders, upcoming holiday store closings, etc.... Thanks a million.
    -Toby Fairchild

    by Toby Fairchild — Mon Nov 19, 2007 @ 11:42 am

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