Think about the last time you decided to try a new restaurant or buy a new gadget. What pushed you over the edge to make that decision? If you're like most of us, customer reviews and testimonials played a big part.
Now, let's flip the script and think about it from a music teacher's perspective. You're offering a service that's deeply personal and transformative - music education. Yet, I'd guess that you've never asked one of your students for a testimonial, even though you probably rely on them all the time for your own decision-making.
But you may be making a huge mistake. If you aren't collecting reviews or testimonials from your students, you're missing out on dead-simple way to convey your value and experience to potential students (and to search engines).
Imagine a student on the verge of choosing between you and a music school or another music teacher. What could tip the scales in your favor? A heartfelt testimonial from a current or former student could be the key. Testimonials can help the quality of your teaching and the impact it has on students' lives in a way that your own words can't do. According to research, 49% consumers trust testimonials as much as personal recommendations. That's why cultivating social proof is so important. This trust is invaluable, especially when potential students are deciding who will guide their musical journey.
Did you know testimonials can significantly boost your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) efforts? Every time a student raves about your lessons online, they're not just singing your praises; they're also embedding keywords related to music education into the web. This organic content can improve your website's visibility on search engines, making it easier for new students to find you.
If you want to learn more, I have another article all about SEO for music teachers.
Why do so many music teachers shy away from asking for testimonials? The truth is, collecting testimonials can feel a bit awkward. It's like asking someone to compliment you directly, and not everyone feels comfortable with that. But here's the thing: not asking for testimonials is a missed opportunity. Big time.
Think about it. You've poured your heart into a student's lessons for weeks, months, and years -- watched them go from clumsy scales to confident cadenzas. That journey is powerful, and sharing it (with permission, of course) can inspire others to start their own musical paths with you as their guide. But if we don't ask, we don't get. This reluctance leaves many music teachers working harder, not smarter, by relying solely on traditional marketing or word-of-mouth.
The underuse of testimonials is a gap in our marketing toolkit. And in this gap, there's a bridge we're not building—one that connects potential students' hesitations with the reassurance of those who've walked the path before them. By not leveraging the voices of our students, we're not just leaving words of praise unsaid; we're leaving the very proof of our teaching effectiveness unspoken and unknowable.
So, how do we move past this hesitation? It starts with a mindset shift. Asking for a testimonial isn't about seeking compliments, but instead gathering stories of growth, challenge, and success. These stories not only highlight the value of our teaching but also help others see themselves in the narrative, imagining what they too could achieve.
Stories resonate with people. That's really all there is to it. You need to be a collector of stories.
Alright, let's cut to the chase: asking for testimonials doesn't have to be awkward or complicated. The simplest approach? Just ask. You might be surprised how many students are willing—and even eager—to share their positive experiences.
If you want testimonials that are heartfelt and authentic, make the process as easy as possible. Provide a few guiding questions to help them articulate their thoughts, but encourage them to speak from the heart.
You can print a small business-card style card that asks for a review, with a link to a google form and a QR code. Or email your student. Or ask for a quick voice memo.
If you have a Google Business Page, Yelp Profile, or any other social page that accepts reviews, encourage them to leave a review there. This can be great for SEO, because reviews on these platforms signals your authority to search engines, meaning that you're more likely to show up higher in search results.
Life gets busy, and even the most well-intentioned students might forget to send you their feedback. A gentle nudge can go a long way. A follow-up message, couched in gratitude for their time and efforts, can remind them without feeling pushy.
Just because you don't teach somebody any more doesn't mean that you can't get a review from them. If you had a positive impact on them, they'll be happy to share their experiences. If you're like many teachers, you have even more past students than present students, so don't let them go to waste.
When you ask for testimonials, encourage your students to share not just their achievements but their entire learning experience with you. This approach paints a fuller picture for prospective students, showing them not just the end result but the supportive, enriching journey they can expect.
With a bit of practice, asking for testimonials can become a natural part of your teaching process, enriching your practice with the voices of those you've helped along the way. And make sure you're adding those testimonials to your website!
Hopefully you're starting to realize how important testimonials can be to the growth and success of your teaching studio. Testimonials really aren't just nice-to-haves; they're must-haves for anybody trying to run a business with an online presence, especially in a market that can be as competitive and hard-to-research as music lessons.
Let's face it, we live in a world where people look for validation before they make choices, especially when it comes to education and personal development. Your potential students are out there, scrolling, searching, and hoping to find someone who can guide them on their musical adventure. Your existing students, with their stories of progress and satisfaction, are your best ambassadors in convincing newcomers to take that leap.
So after your next lesson, go ahead and ask one of your students for a testimonials. What do you have to lose?!