Membership Expired Kat Hunter
Membership ExpiredForum Replies Created
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Just an update on the things I implemented earlier in the year:
I’m happy to say I went from a 24 hour to a 48 hour policy and it was no problem at all.
I’m also happy to say my welcome pack pdf has been a huge success! People who come to lessons know how professional it is, and are far more understanding and far more likely to offer to pay if they haven’t already, when they cancel. It’s single-handedly made business SO MUCH EASIER. Would highly recommend it:) -
Hey Lewis,
I’ve had a look at your T&Cs :). Here are my thoughts:
1. It’s very wordy. And still quite formal. The sheer wordiness of it has a chance of scaring people off! “Lessons will take place at the times and dates agreed between the teacher and the pupil (or parent/guardian) before each block of lessons” could just be “lessons will take place at an agreed time”. Or, on the basis that this would be assumed (when else would they take place?), you could just write: “lessons are paid for in blocks of four and are taught on a weekly basis. Lessons usually take place in the home of the student, unless a different venue has been agreed on.”
Note: I find it interesting that you’re teaching at THEIR house. Don’t you lose a lot of time (and therefore money) this way? I’d be interested to know why you chose this. Also I can imagine this might factor into why people don’t want to sign up for lessons indefinitely? Saying you’re willing to welcome a relative stranger into your home weekly for the foreseeable future, with no recourse to refunds if say there is an emergency in the home (illness/instability for example), could be pretty intense. Just some things to think about.
2. I’ve never seen 72 hours before! You’re really stepping out with that one! And “only one holiday will be acceptable”! Woah there. And one whole week’s notice for rescheduling! I’m not saying these are bad ideas, but have a think about how it would make you feel reading this as a new student, trying some scary brand new hobby for the first time, and all of a sudden you have to deal with only being able to take one holiday every so often.
3. If you wanted to make it even less formal (which I would urge you to think about; these are people you want to develop quick and friendly rapport with, after all), you could stop using third person to refer to yourself and/or your client. For example, you can use the word me, I or myself instead of “the teacher”. Also the word “invoice” could come across a bit icky. You’re trying to make this look like you’re offering a beautiful, homely encouraging service to people, not just a business transaction. Perhaps “payment reminder” or something along these lines is better. Also “ratified” is terrifying. This word is for UN protocols, not sole traders.
I could go on, but I’ve kind of already gone to town on your T&Cs. Sorry about this. I come from a family of academic editors, so it runs in the veins. The TL;DR is 1. Make it shorter 2. Consider whether YOU would take up lessons with someone who imposed these rules, and consider your target market (the reality is that if you teach all kids vs. uni students vs. adults, you need to be tailoring your policies so that THAT group of people will feel empathy and connection and safety towards your business). 3. Change the wording so that it’s more like you’re just having a conversation with a new student.
There’s the gist:)
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For sure! No, I know I’m doing ok. It’s just I’ve been finalising my welcome pack, but the policies section always looks really long because I’m giving umpteen reasons for each policy rather than just being straightforward. I think sometimes it’s just about finding a balance over time that works for you :). Thanks for the encouragement xx
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Wow, Ruth! I love that letter! So straightforward and to the point. Tough but fair sounding.
I also love that it makes you seem really confident! I sometimes struggle with the balance between explaining my policies, but not sounding like I’m apologising for them haha! But yours just sounds friendly and assertive. I think I need to work on my confidence :P.
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Hahaha! Yes, that one really gets me. When people who have lessons weekly are like, “Is it ok if we just postpone today’s lesson to next week?” And inside I’m like, it’s not called POSTPONING if you’re just cancelling a week!
But yes, you’re right. It pays to be upfront and clear right from the start, but sometimes if you can rearrange the lesson, it shows a lot of empathy and can build the connection with the student if they realise you’re going out of your way to help them out; it’s always a fine balance.
