-
Trial Lessons? (All Teachers)
-
Hi Rosie,
This can be a tricky situation…. like the others here, when I first started I was more prepared to give up my time for free and offered free trial/first lessons. Now I’m a bit busier, I don’t offer this but if I have an enquiry from someone similar to yours I might agree for them to come round so I can showcase my teaching skills/warm personality(!) and not mention payment even though (like you) I have a strong feeling they’re trying to get a freebie. They might like you so much at the end that they’ll offer payment anyway or again they might not. But you gracefully offering something for free will tell them a lot about your personality. I have a couple of students who started in this way and now they are faithful and always pay on time. I think Matt (Pocock) is correct – it’s about trust and warmth.
Of course they may not come again and if they do, on their second visit they must not leave without paying or making arrangements to do so online! (this is very important!)
Hope this is helpful,
James
-
Hey guys,
Thanks Rosie for starting this thread. I’ve had a situation pop up today where someone had referred a friend of his to me. The guy got in touch and asked for an hour session tomorrow to work on his vocals for a gig. This is way beyond the scope of what I do in a free consult so I told him my prices. Immediately I was met with “But my friend said he got his first session free”. Huge red flag for me so I’ve clearly outlined what I do in a 30 minute vocal consult (talk goals, a range test, me listening to a song/songs, discussing what is and isn’t working, a demonstration of a couple of the exercises I use).
I’ll see if he tries to push his luck tomorrow. I having a feeling that my free sessions will be ending soon as this has left me feeling used and like my time isn’t valuable. It’s a shame as these freebies really helped me grow my business in the first year. I guess times have changed for me though.
-
Chris – free tasters are great when you’re starting out. That’s what I did. But now you’ve grown your business by the sounds of it, so nothing is for free as your time is more valuable due to there being less of it! See it as a positive:)
Agree payment/free session BEFORE you meet this guy if I were you!
-
Oh and this goes to everyone: don’t be put off by the minority of dick heads there are out there. Don’t let them make you feel used and undervalued. It’s all in the attitude of the individual, so don’t let them make you doubt how you do things. Cut people like that out and don’t waste more of your valuable time on them. Spend time on those who honour and respect you.
This also applies to life in general.
Wow, wish I could follow my own advice!
-
I would be wary of an unpaid trial lesson. Every teacher deserves payment for his or her time. There is a teacher in my area who advertises the first lesson free. He then uses the hour to show off his prowness on the guitar hoping to impress them enough to get the student to pay upfront for a block booking. I always make sure the student gets to play something by the end of the first lesson even allowing for chat and setting the scene.
Log in to reply.