In this article, we’ll share with you all that we’ve learnt about the crucial first message to a new student. Read on to find out the importance of:

• Responding quickly

• Building trust and connecting emotionally.

• Showing clear leadership on practical considerations.

• Ending the first message with a question and a question mark.

• Following up on the enquiry in 2 to 3 days if you haven’t heard back.

• Reserving your judgement

• Redirecting Enquiries you can’t take on.

We’ll also show some real world examples to give you a feel on how to put it all together and grow your student list!

Introduction.

On our platform, some teachers have received 10 enquiries, taught 10 first lessons, and now have 10 regular students. Others have received 10 enquiries, taught one or two first lessons and have far less teaching work as a result.

Why? Well, the answer is not the quality of teaching. It’s understanding and executing the all-important first response to a new student enquiry. In this article we condense all that we’ve learnt about how to make a great first impression when responding to a new enquiry.

Response Time

Quite simply, response time matters. From the moment you receive a notification that you’ve received a new enquiry - the clock is ticking. The faster you respond, the more likely you are to teach the first lesson. Students often write to multiple tutors and we can see a pattern where they tend to take a lesson with the tutor who responds the fastest.

Did you know that around 50% of students who learn on our platform are adults? Adults spend far less time out of their comfort zone (doing things like learning music) than children. We know that this often makes adults feel nervous or anxious when they send their first message. Browsing through a platform filled with incredible musicians who’ve achieved amazing things can be a trigger for feeling out of place. Don’t underestimate how reassuring it is for the student to receive a great reply from their chosen teacher shortly after they’ve plucked up the courage to send a request.

Parents tell us that with so much to organise, efficiency and ease of use are really important points to consider. Parents want to find the right person and find them quickly.

Responding promptly to enquiries means you are building trust, displaying professionalism and providing empathic support. Did you know the average response time for some of our most popular teachers is under 10 minutes? But aside from being fast, there is a blend of art and science at play in crafting a great first response to a new student.

Show them you care

For thousands of years humans have met new people in person. We have been able to read body language, listen to tone of voice, sense the spaces in between the words; all 5 senses working together to help us decide how we feel about a new person when we first meet them. Thereafter, we’ve had the telephone where we can still pick up a lot of information from how someone speaks, listens and talks to us. For all the technological advances of the last century, in 2021, our communication tool is a text box. Text only. Our words, therefore, need to work much harder if we are going to emotionally connect with someone and build trust! Three crucial ingredients of connection in a first response are:

• Use names. The student name will be displayed. Don’t forget to use it to establish a relationship.

• Be positive and show that you would like to take the student on.

• Reference something the student wrote in your response. This shows that you care and have taken the time to read the enquiry thoroughly.

Take the Lead

With your experience comes the wisdom to advise on the best route into a first lesson. Students are looking to you for advice on the basics of

• Lesson Duration

• Lesson Location

• Equipment Required

• Cost

Explaining these elements clearly and precisely helps the student feel like they're in safe hands. Another trait of our most popular teachers is they have thought about the clearest ways to present information to new students. This doesn’t mean including every variable of time and cost. Instead, focus on what the student needs and present this information clearly, in as few words as possible. Think short, clear and precise.

End with a Question

Yes. Always end your first message with a question. You are also sending a big cue to the student that they are in a conversation and a response is required. Ending with a question and question mark means you are far more likely to gain you that response and first lesson. See how powerful the question is in comparison to other sign offs:

• Best wishes

• Looking forward to hearing from you

• Kind regards

• Please let me know if you have any more questions

• “Would Tuesday at 4PM or Thursday at 5.30 PM work better for you?”

The Follow up

We send notifications to students but we know communication from you is much more powerful. Following up 2 or 3 days after your initial message will often gain a response, even if it is a polite decline of your services. We would not consider this to be pushy. This is knowing your worth and helping a student who may have forgotten. You are showing that you care.

Reserve Judgement

It is not uncommon for the student to provide minimal details in their first enquiry. In these cases, it’s up to you to tease out the missing information in a way that still holds true to the principles of connection and leadership already discussed.

It’s also important to note that connecting and building trust is a two way street. The enquiry process is also a place for you to judge whether the student is a good fit for you. Crucially, our advice is to reserve that judgement until you have the full picture of the student’s needs.

We do not know what’s happening in a person's life. It is easy to dismiss an incomplete or poorly written enquiry but we don’t know the circumstances that surround it. A busy day, feelings of anxiety, perhaps English is not the native tongue. All of these are reasons where the enquiry deserves some extra attention from you.

Decline where necessary

Regardless of the reason, it is your right to decline an offer of work from a student. We just ask that this is done as professionally as possible. Within your inbox, you will see the decline button. If you are not able to help the student, press this button to automatically send the student details on how to find another teacher on the platform who will be able to help them. You’re welcome to add a personal message as well but we’ve built the decline button to a) save your time b) make sure the student gets the information they need to continue their search.

Real World Examples

Frank Sinatra (2019-12-19 11:49:40)
Hi Alexander, I'm looking for some drum lessons for my 12 year old daughter. She's taken some at school and seems to love it. We have a kit at home and wondered if you'd be able to come to us? We're based in LS9, close to Mabgate. An after school slot any night of the week would be perfect.

Alexander Wibrew (2019-12-19 12:28:59)
Hi Frank, thanks very much for getting in touch. I'd be very happy to teach your daughter and arrange a trial lesson. It's the perfect time to start thinking about private lessons now that you have a kit at home to practise on as well. It would be no problem for me to come to you in LS9, I would add an additional transport fee of £4 if that's OK? I have Wednesdays at 4:30PM or Thursdays at 6:30PM as possible slots. For the first lesson, I'd recommend 60 minutes as a good starting point. Do either of those times work for you? Alex.

Be consistent

Bear in mind our key points here:

• Respond quickly

• Build trust and connect emotionally.

• Show clear leadership on practical considerations.

• End your first message with a question and a question mark.

• Don’t be afraid to follow up on the enquiry in 2 to 3 days if you haven’t heard back.

• Reserve judgement until you have all the facts

• Use the Decline button if you can’t take on the student.

If you can use this outline consistently, across all your student enquiries, we have no doubt that you will build your student list with us here at MusicTeachers.co.uk.