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 so, could you share them in the comments below?