The first step in building a great professional relationship is establishing understanding and trust through effective communication. To help you maximize your efficiency and efficacy in communicating with new potential students, Muzeg offers "Student First Contact" settings.

Here are tips for setting up your messaging to make a solid first impression.

When students start messaging you, Muzeg asks them for their preferred instrument, proficiency level, main goal, and preferred time. Your initial message is a chance to gather additional helpful information, so keep it concise and to the point.

Consider asking:

• What genres of music are you interested in?
• Do you have any preferred materials or songs you want to learn?
• How many times a week do you want to have a lesson?
• For music business lessons, what industry are you currently involved in?
• Are there any specific adaptability requirements I should know about?

You can also provide special instructions, such as: For kids' lessons, please let me know your child's age.

This initial message is also an opportunity to reinforce your image as a caring and supportive teacher.

Auto-reply

Your auto-reply message is your first communication with new students and can set the tone for future interactions. Here are some essential tips:

• Sound Human: Avoid sounding overly formal or robotic. A casual and friendly tone can make a better impression.
  •    "Hi, and thanks for the message! I'm sorry, but I can't reply right now. I'm looking forward to chatting soon."
  •    "I am happy you decided to reach out, but unfortunately, I cannot reply now."
• Set a Response Time: Indicate when you will respond to set expectations and demonstrate reliability.
  •    "Sorry, I missed your message. I will reply within 12 hours."
  •    "I am on vacation but will return on Muzeg after the 24th."

Let Them Know What to Expect:

Tell students what will happen when you reply and what questions you might ask.

• "After I read your message, I'll send you some materials to help us set your short-term and long-term learning goals."
• "I get many messages, but I should reply within 24 hours. Please get in touch with me again if you haven't heard by then!"

Avoid Technical or Difficult Words:

Keep your language simple and friendly to ensure students feel comfortable.

• "If you're interested in my range of lessons and teaching philosophy, please explore the 'Me as a Teacher' section."
• Try: "If you want to know more about how I teach, look at my 'Me as a Teacher' section."

Give Them Something to Do Next:

Encourage students to explore your content or learn more about you while they wait.

• "Watch my podcast channel for some of my level listening exercises while you wait."
• "Don't forget to check out my 'about me' section to learn more about my journey to becoming a Muzeg teacher."

These tips can make a positive and lasting first impression on your potential students, setting the stage for a successful and engaging learning experience. Do you have any additional tips for auto-reply messages? If you could share them in the comments below?