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Stage Stars: Music School Student Performances That Shine

gcobley@simplysignup.com (Gerry Cobley) — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 13:05:00 GMT

Discover the incredible talent and passion of music school students as they showcase their skills on stage in unforgettable performances.

The Impact of Music Education on Student Performances

Through music education, students learn important concepts such as music theory, rhythm, melody, and harmony. They gain proficiency in playing musical instruments and develop their vocal techniques. These fundamental skills serve as a strong foundation for their performances, allowing them to express themselves creatively and connect with audiences.

Furthermore, music education enhances students' cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. It has been shown to improve academic performance and contribute to overall brain development. By engaging in music education, students not only excel in their performances but also benefit in other areas of their lives.

Overall, the impact of music education on students and their performances is undeniable. It empowers students to unleash their artistic potential, cultivate a deep appreciation for music, and create performances that are truly exceptional.

However, many students may simply desire the joy of making music without a strong desire to perform, so there must always be a place for them to grow in a music school setting.

Highlighting Exceptional Student Performances

Music school student performances are a testament to their dedication, hard work, and talent. These performances showcase the incredible progress and growth that students have achieved through their music education.

One of the ways to highlight exceptional student performances is through recitals and concerts. These events provide a platform for students to showcase their skills and share their passion for music with a live audience. Whether it's a solo performance or a group ensemble, each student performance is a unique and memorable experience.

In addition to live performances, music schools can also utilize technology to showcase student performances. Recording and sharing performances online allow a wider audience to appreciate the talent and hard work of music school students. It also provides an opportunity for students to receive feedback and recognition from out-of-town friends and family.

By highlighting exceptional student performances, music schools not only celebrate the achievements of their students but also inspire and motivate other aspiring musicians. These performances serve as a source of inspiration and demonstrate the possibilities that can be achieved through music education.

The Role of Practice and Dedication in Achieving Excellence

Practice and dedication are essential elements in achieving excellence in music school student performances. It is through consistent practice and unwavering dedication that students can refine their skills and deliver outstanding performances.

Regular practice allows students to develop muscle memory, improve technical proficiency, and enhance their overall musicality. It helps them master complex musical pieces, develop a deep understanding of music theory, and refine their interpretation and expression.

Dedication is equally important in achieving excellence. It requires students to set goals, stay committed to their musical journey, and overcome challenges along the way. Dedication helps students develop discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic, which are crucial in the pursuit of musical excellence.

Ultimately, the role of practice and dedication cannot be underestimated. It is the driving force behind the remarkable performances of music school students and the key to unlocking their full potential as musicians.

Exploring Different Music Genres and Styles

Music school provides students with the opportunity to explore a wide range of music genres and styles. This exploration not only expands their musical knowledge but also enriches their performances by allowing them to incorporate diverse influences and techniques.

By exploring different music genres and styles, students develop a versatile musical repertoire and broaden their artistic horizons. They learn to appreciate and understand the unique characteristics of each genre, from classical to jazz, rock to pop, and everything in between.

This exploration also encourages students to experiment with different musical elements, such as rhythm, harmony, and instrumentation. It enables them to develop their own unique voice and style as musicians, adding depth and authenticity to their performances.

Furthermore, exploring different music genres and styles fosters a sense of cultural appreciation and understanding. Students learn to embrace diversity and recognize the universal language of music, connecting with audiences from various backgrounds.

In summary, the exploration of different music genres and styles is an integral part of music school education. It broadens students' musical horizons, enhances their performances, and cultivates their appreciation for the rich tapestry of music.

Tips for Supporting and Encouraging Music School Students

Supporting and encouraging music school students is crucial for their growth and success. Here are some tips to help create a nurturing and empowering environment:

- Provide constructive feedback: Offer specific and constructive feedback to students, highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback helps them grow and develop as musicians.

- Foster a collaborative community: Encourage students to collaborate with their peers, whether through ensemble performances or group projects. Collaboration fosters teamwork, communication, and mutual support.

- Recognize achievements: Celebrate and acknowledge students' achievements, both big and small. This recognition boosts their confidence and motivates them to strive for even greater success.

- Create performance opportunities: Organize regular performance opportunities, such as recitals, concerts, or open mic nights. These events allow students to showcase their skills and gain valuable performance experience.

- Provide resources and support: Ensure that students have access to resources, such as practice rooms, instruments, and sheet music. Additionally, offer support and guidance in their musical journey.

By implementing these tips, music schools can create a supportive and encouraging environment that nurtures the talent and passion of their students. This support plays a vital role in helping students thrive and excel in their music school journey.

Effective Student Recruitment for Music Schools

gcobley@simplysignup.com (Gerry Cobley) — Thu, 30 May 2024 15:06:00 GMT

Discover the key strategies to attract and enroll more students in your music school.

Understanding Your Target Audience

In order to effectively recruit more students for your music school, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of your target audience. Consider the age group, musical interests, and aspirations of the families and students you want to attract. This will help you tailor your marketing efforts and create programs that resonate with your target demographic. Conduct market research, gather feedback from current students and parents, and stay updated on the latest trends in music education to ensure that you are meeting the needs and preferences of your target audience.

Another important aspect of understanding your target audience is recognizing their motivations and goals. Are they looking to pursue music professionally; are they seeking a creative outlet for personal enjoyment, or are they looking for early childhood enrichment for their children? By understanding their motivations, you can develop marketing messages and programs that appeal to their specific aspirations, whether it's preparing for music competitions, joining a band, or simply learning to play an instrument for fun.

Utilizing Digital Marketing Tools

In today's digital age, utilizing digital marketing tools is essential for student recruitment. Start by creating a professional and user-friendly website for your music school. Include detailed information about your programs, faculty, facilities, and success stories. Optimize your website for search engines to ensure that it appears in relevant searches. Consider implementing online registration and payment options to provide convenience to prospective students and their parents. There are integrated services such as YourVirtuoso that can quickly and simply create a great website from your school/studio information and schedules.

Social media platforms are also powerful tools for reaching and engaging with your target audience. Create accounts on popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and regularly post content that showcases the unique aspects of your music school. Share videos of student performances, testimonials from satisfied parents, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of rehearsals and lessons. Interact with your followers by responding to comments and messages promptly.

Email marketing can also be an effective strategy for student recruitment. Build an email list of interested prospects and send regular newsletters or updates about upcoming events, workshops, and special offers. Personalize your emails and segment your audience based on their interests and preferences to increase engagement and conversions. Once again, services like YourVirtuoso automate the capture of prospective customer emails and allow simple creation of email marketing campaigns.

Building Partnerships with Schools and Community Organizations

Building partnerships with schools and community organizations can significantly enhance your student recruitment efforts. Reach out to local schools, both public and private, and propose collaborative projects or performances. Offer to provide music lessons or ensemble coaching to their students, and in return, ask for opportunities to promote your music school to their community.

Community organizations such as youth clubs, libraries, and cultural centers are also great platforms for showcasing your music school. Offer free workshops or performances at these venues to attract potential students and their parents. Collaborate with other arts organizations or local businesses to organize joint events or sponsorships. By partnering with schools and community organizations, you can expand your reach and establish your music school as a valuable resource in the community.

One often overlooked opportunity is your local Chamber of Commerce. They often provide a directory online that can improve your SEO results when your website is linked there.

Showcasing Your School's Unique Selling Points

To stand out in a competitive music education landscape, it is important to showcase your school's unique selling points. Identify the aspects that set your music school apart from others and highlight them in your marketing materials and communications.

For example, if your music school offers specialized programs or certifications, emphasize the benefits and advantages of pursuing those programs. If you have well known faculty members or guest instructors, feature their credentials and experiences to attract students who are looking for high-quality instruction.

Additionally, consider organizing open houses or preview classes/lessons to provide prospective students and their parents an opportunity to experience your music school firsthand. Show them your state-of-the-art facilities, introduce them to your faculty, and allow them to observe classes or rehearsals. This will help them get a sense of the unique atmosphere and educational approach of your music school.

Providing Exceptional Student Experiences

One of the most effective ways to attract and retain students is by providing exceptional student experiences. Ensure that your music school offers a supportive and nurturing environment where students feel encouraged to explore their musical abilities and reach their full potential.

Invest in qualified and experienced faculty members who are not only skilled musicians but also passionate educators. Create a curriculum that combines technical skill development with opportunities for creativity and self-expression. Offer performance opportunities such as recitals, concerts, and competitions to showcase students' progress and boost their confidence.

In addition to high-quality instruction, focus on providing excellent customer service to students and their parents. Be responsive to inquiries and provide clear communication regarding policies, schedules, and fees. Regularly seek feedback from students and parents to address any concerns or areas for improvement. By prioritizing the overall student experience, you can foster a positive reputation and word-of-mouth referrals, leading to increased student enrollment.

How Can a Music Studio director capitalize on AI?

gcobley@simplysignup.com (Gerry Cobley) — Tue, 21 May 2024 13:36:01 GMT

Discover how music schools and studios can leverage AI technology to enhance their operations and offerings.

Understanding AI in Music Instruction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various industries, and the music industry is no exception. AI technology has the potential to transform music schools and studios by providing innovative solutions to various challenges. By understanding the applications and benefits of AI in the music industry, music school and studio directors can capitalize on this technology to enhance their operations and offerings.

AI can be used to analyze music data, such as melodies, harmonies, and rhythms, to gain insights into patterns and trends. This can help music schools and studios understand the preferences of their students and tailor their teaching methods accordingly. AI algorithms can also be utilized to create personalized music learning experiences by generating customized practice exercises and lesson plans based on individual students' needs and skill levels.

Overall, understanding AI in the music industry opens up a world of possibilities for music school and studio directors. By leveraging AI technology, they can enhance their teaching methods, provide personalized learning experiences, and stay innovative in a rapidly evolving industry.

Implementing AI for Personalized Learning

One of the key advantages of AI technology in the music education sector is its ability to provide personalized learning experiences. By implementing AI systems, music studio directors could offer tailored lessons and practice exercises to each student, maximizing their learning potential.

AI algorithms can analyze students' musical abilities, learning styles, and progress to create personalized lesson plans. For example, AI can detect a student's strengths and weaknesses in playing their instrument and provide targeted exercises to improve specific skills.

Moreover, AI technology can adapt to students' individual pace of learning. It can dynamically adjust the difficulty level of exercises based on their progress, ensuring that students are consistently challenged but not overwhelmed. This personalized approach to music education can greatly enhance students' motivation, engagement, and overall learning outcomes.

Additionally, AI could provide real-time feedback to students during practice sessions. By analyzing their musical performance, AI systems can identify areas for improvement and offer constructive suggestions. This immediate feedback can help students refine their techniques and develop their musical skills more effectively.

Implementing AI for personalized learning has the potential to revolutionize the way music schools and studios educate their students. By utilizing AI technology, directors could create tailored learning experiences that cater to the unique needs and goals of each student, resulting in improved learning outcomes and increased student satisfaction.

Enhancing Marketing Strategies with AI

In today's digital age, effective marketing strategies are essential for the success of music schools and studios. AI technology can play a significant role in enhancing marketing efforts and reaching a wider audience.

AI-powered tools can analyze consumer data and preferences to identify target demographics and create targeted marketing campaigns. By understanding the preferences and behavior of potential students and their caregivers, music school and studio directors can tailor their marketing messages and advertisement placements to maximize their reach and engagement.

AI can also be utilized to automate and optimize online marketing processes. For instance, AI algorithms can analyze website traffic and user behavior to optimize website design and content. By understanding how visitors interact with their websites, directors can make data-driven decisions to improve user experience and increase conversion rates.

Furthermore, AI can assist in social media marketing by analyzing trends and user engagement patterns. By leveraging AI-powered analytics tools, music school and studio directors can identify the most effective social media platforms, content types, and posting schedules to maximize their online presence and engagement.

By incorporating AI into their marketing strategies, music school and studio directors can gain a competitive edge in the industry. AI technology can provide valuable insights, automate processes, and enable more targeted and effective marketing efforts, resulting in increased brand visibility, student enrollment, and overall business growth.

Improving Administrative Tasks with AI

Running a music school or studio involves administrative tasks that can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. AI technology can streamline and automate these tasks, allowing directors to focus more on providing quality education and improving student experiences.

Currently, AI is not suited to the core functions of managing student records and administrative workflows. By automating tasks such as student registration, scheduling, and attendance tracking, music school and studio directors can save time and reduce the risk of human error but this is best handled with a studio management system tailored for the type of studio/school such as YourVirtuoso for group and private music lessons. These can also assist in managing financial operations, such as payment processing, improving efficiency and accuracy.

However, AI can enhance communication and collaboration within music schools and studios. AI-powered chatbots can handle common inquiries from students and parents, providing instant responses and freeing up staff members' time. Additionally,

Another area where AI could make a significant impact is in predictive analytics for student retention. By analyzing various factors such as attendance, performance, and engagement, AI algorithms can identify students who may be at risk of dropping out. Directors can then intervene and provide targeted support to these students, increasing their chances of staying enrolled and achieving their musical goals.

By leveraging AI technology to improve administrative tasks, music school and studio directors can optimize their operations, reduce manual workloads, and enhance the overall efficiency of their institutions. This allows them to dedicate more time and resources to providing quality music education and fostering a positive learning environment for their students.

Streamlining Music School Accounting on a Budget

gcobley@simplysignup.com (Gerry Cobley) — Wed, 15 May 2024 15:09:31 GMT

Discover cost-effective strategies to manage finances for your music school efficiently.

Benefits of Streamlining Music School Accounting

Streamlining the accounting process for your music school can provide numerous benefits. By implementing efficient accounting practices, you can save time and resources, allowing you to focus on what matters most - providing quality music education to your students. Here are some key benefits of streamlining music school accounting:

- Improved accuracy: By automating financial processes and reducing manual data entry, you can minimize errors and ensure accurate financial records.

- Time savings: Streamlining accounting tasks can free up valuable time for you and your staff, allowing you to dedicate more time to teaching and other important aspects of running your music school.

- Cost savings: By optimizing your accounting processes, you can reduce costs associated with hiring additional staff or investing in expensive accounting software.

- Better decision-making: With streamlined accounting, you'll have access to real-time financial data, enabling you to make informed decisions and plan for the future of your music school.

By taking advantage of these benefits, you can create a strong financial foundation for your music school and ensure its long-term success.

Utilizing Excel Spreadsheets for Financial Tracking

Excel spreadsheets can be a cost-effective solution for tracking and managing your music school's finances. Here are some tips for utilizing Excel spreadsheets effectively:

- Set up a clear and organized spreadsheet: Create separate tabs for different financial categories, such as income, expenses, and payroll. Use formulas and formatting to automate calculations and make the spreadsheet easy to navigate.

- Regularly update and reconcile your spreadsheet: Keep track of income and expenses on a weekly or monthly basis to ensure accurate financial records. Reconcile your spreadsheet with bank statements to identify any discrepancies.

- Use built-in Excel functions: Excel offers a wide range of functions that can simplify financial calculations, such as SUM, AVERAGE, and VLOOKUP. Familiarize yourself with these functions to save time and improve accuracy.

- Backup your spreadsheet: Regularly save backups of your Excel spreadsheet to prevent data loss in case of computer failure or accidental deletion.

Utilizing Excel spreadsheets for financial tracking, may sound like a lot of work, and frankly, it is! It can be fine for the startup phase of your studio, but it typically evolves into more trouble than value, especially when there are better accounting options available.

Implementing Cloud-Based Accounting Software

Cloud-based accounting software such as Wave can offer a cost-effective and efficient solution for music schools. Here are some advantages of implementing cloud-based accounting software:

- Accessibility: With cloud-based software, you can access your financial data from anywhere, at any time. This is especially beneficial for music schools with multiple locations or remote instructors.

- Collaboration: Cloud-based software allows multiple users to collaborate on financial tasks simultaneously, making it easier to work with your staff or accountant.

- Automation: Many cloud-based accounting software solutions offer automation features, such as automatic bank feeds and invoice reminders. These features can save time and reduce manual data entry.

- Security: Cloud-based software often provides robust security measures to protect your financial data, including encryption and regular backups.

I would recommend looking at this option as a potentially free alternative to Quickbooks. Alone, however, it id difficult to track a music school or studio effectively due to the large number of customers and invoices that would need to be entered and tracked. That is where a music studio custom designed studio management application like YourVirtuoso comes into play, and when combined with a free online accounting package you get the best of both worlds. A complete music studio solution at low cost.

Outsourcing Accounting Services for Music Schools

Outsourcing accounting services can be a cost-effective solution for music schools that prefer to focus on their core operations. Here are some benefits of outsourcing accounting services:

- Expertise: By outsourcing to professional accountants or accounting firms, you can tap into their expertise and ensure accurate financial reporting.

- Cost savings: Outsourcing accounting services can be more affordable compared to hiring full-time in-house accountants, especially for small music schools.

- Time savings: By entrusting accounting tasks to professionals, you can save time and concentrate on teaching music and managing your music school.

- Scalability: Outsourced accounting services can easily scale up or down based on your music school's needs. You can adjust the level of service as your school grows or during seasonal fluctuations.

Outsourcing accounting services allows you to leverage the skills of accounting professionals but it comes, of course, at a cost. If you can find the right combination of tools to assist you, you should be able to handle the needs of your business without expensive professional help

Tips for Maintaining Financial Health in Music School

Managing the financial health of your music school is crucial for its long-term success. Here are some tips to help you maintain financial health:

- Budgeting: Create a realistic budget that accounts for all income and expenses. Regularly review and adjust the budget as needed. This is best done in your accounting system

- Monitor cash flow: Keep track of your music school's cash flow to ensure there is enough money to cover expenses and investments.

- Minimize unnecessary expenses: Identify areas where you can cut costs without compromising the quality of music education. This could include renegotiating contracts or finding more affordable suppliers.

- Diversify revenue streams: Explore additional sources of income for your music school, such as offering online lessons, hosting workshops, or renting out rehearsal space.

- Stay organized: Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records. This includes keeping track of invoices, receipts, and other financial documents. This is where a comprehensive online registration, payment, and family/student tracking system like YourVirtuoso is absolutely critical.

By following these tips, you can maintain the financial health of your music school and ensure its sustainability in the long run.

Surviving COVID-19 the CARES Act and your Music Studio

gcobley@simplysignup.com (Gerry Cobley) — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 20:29:20 GMT

My Short Term Survival Update

The last week has been a little stressful with respect to the music school I help manage. I suspect yours has been too?

On the one hand we are doing whatever we can to sustain as much of our revenue stream as possible, but with all the uncertainty over how long this situation will last, and what the longer term reaction of our customers will be we have decided to take advantage of the stimulus funds to ensure our staff can be supported and payroll maintained.

The assistance from Washington comes in many forms, which can be confusing - to say the least. I do not intend to provide yet another explanation in this blog, but I found this overview to be pretty useful: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17qabCSiIF07wPHKgcQftMkkbKrNEVpNU/view

Given that payroll is our major concern, and largest expense, I decided that the Payroll Protection Plan was the right place to focus. The promise of PPP is that you can go to your local bank and apply for a loan for up to 2.5 times your average monthly payroll. That loan will be backed by the Small Business Administration, and will not require personal guarantees. Sounds good, right? But even better, is that the amount of that loan you spend on payroll, rent and utilities for the first 8 weeks after it is approved will be forgiven. That sounds like free money just when you need it, and that is, indeed, the intent. You just have to keep paying your staff - "Payroll Protection"

It can't be that easy, can it? Well I didn't say it was going to be easy. So far I have not actually been able to submit an application. My local bank says they will have something on their website by Friday (April 3rd) to apply online, but I am expecting a torrent of applications and subsequent delays, and the funds may even run out, so I looked for another option and found a form from the US Chamber of Commerce and filled that out, signed and sent it in to my bank account representative. No go. I have to wait until they are ready with the online process.

In one last attempt to get things submitted early I went back to the SBA site and found a link to get connected with an approved lender (this link is no longer there it seems - I guess they are overwhelmed?). There I was connected to Fundera whose online form asked all the right questions and accepted my application. I believe they are a broker, so they are hopefully looking for a financial institution to submit through, but I must admit I am still unsure of the next step.

Friday I will check with Fundera and with my bank and see who is ready to go first.

I'll let you know how it goes (in the comments if it is not worthy of a whole new blog post).

Good luck with your plans...

Gerry

P.S. If you are not familiar with YourVirtuoso studio management services a click here will do it

COVID-19 and your Music Studio

gcobley@simplysignup.com (Gerry Cobley) — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 22:44:14 GMT

Surviving COVID-19 ...and maybe thriving

Here is the content of a recent email to our YourVirtuoso customers covering my recommendations for dealing with your current business challenges based on my experiences helping your fellow music studio owners with YourVirtuoso questions, and being on the management team that transformed the studio my wife founded 30 years ago into an online music school - all in a matter of days. Please comment and keep the discussion going so we can all continue to learn from each other...

Payment Processing:

You may think cash flow is your #1 problem, but don't be tempted to collect payments for classes you are not 100% sure you will be able to deliver. Disputes, refunds and credit card chargebacks are expensive and time consuming. Try to avoid them especially now, when your cash and time are at a premium.
If you use a monthly payment schedule, your April payments are coming up to be auto processed very soon. You can turn auto pay off completely in one simple step under the MyInfo/ Preferences menu. That will give you time to think about the best approach. If you decide to make changes to upcoming payments, remember that they are already set up in the accounts of enrolled families, so you will need to make those changes in each family account before turning auto pay back on.
If you have a new session or semester staring soon, consider revising your pricing plan to defer deposits and tuition payments until classes start. By that time it will be clear that things are proceeding as planned, and you will not end up managing a whole slew of refunds and credits.

Online Classes

For private lessons your teachers can teach from home, and the technology that seems to work best is FaceTime for iOS and WhatsApp for iOS or Android etc. but it needs to be installed by your customer first. Have the teachers able to do both and let the family pick.
For classes, we have adopted Zoom (http://zoom.us) as have many of you. It is a solid platform and avoids some of the privacy and copyright questions that come up with Facebook Live for example.
The free version is good, but in my opinion the small monthly fee for a basic subscription is a good investment and we should support these folks who seem to be saving the world from isolation right now!
Zoom eats battery capacity, so plug that iPhone/iPad or laptop in. You don't want that embarrassing moment when your class is in full swing.
Online seems to take a different set of skills to in-person teaching. Some teachers adapt better than others. Do some trial runs and training - on the fly if needed.
Think about a second person helping run the online class. Ideally in the same room if your social distancing regime allows, but logged in to the same meeting can work. They can welcome families in chat, and answer questions and can provide the teacher with a note or message with the children's names in case they don't notice who is online (especially if you allow big classes online)
Do a sound check to get the placement of your music source and broadcast device right. You can have zoom share a music source directly, but we have found it best to just place a nice quality speaker nearby and adjust volume to match the teacher's voice volume.
Allow some time at the start and/or end of class for families to chat with you (un-muted) but run the class with all muted. Be aware that they can unmute themselves, so your assistant can be given the muting responsibility if you wish.
Let families know they will be muted, but that your assistant can answer chat questions. Tell them about speaker mode and gallery mode to see you, or their class mates as they wish.
Record only for your internal use. Recording for your families to view later is fraught with issues:
- COPPA child privacy is a rightfully tough law. If your recording includes any moment where a family unmutes and is visible on recording you could be in trouble
- Your class is normally interactive. A recording may not present you in the right way, and could be shared with families who are not enrolled.
- You will very quickly use up the basic 1GB of online storage Zoom provides (a class will probably be 200MB to 300MB and then you will be paying a much higher subscription fee.

Privacy and protecting your enrollments

To begin with, you may just want to trust your customers not to share the class access codes etc. with their friends. Given that it does not cost you more for a 20 person Zoom than for a 10 person Zoom, it has no immediate financial impact and could even get you new families down the road.
Eventually, however, you will need to have a little more control so that those new prospects actually sign up. Here are some options using YourVirtuoso:
- Send a mailing to enrolled families with their meeting id and password if you use them.
- Send a class email from the roster page with access details as above
- Create a custom page (manage my pages option in website editor) but do not opt to link it to your navigation. That way it is not easily found except by the families you send the link to. You can put access information and/or links to content intended for your family on this page.
NEW Feature available 3/30/20: You can add a special html check at the top of a custom page to allow only enrolled families to view it. First set up your page using "manage my pages" and then the website editor. Then, in the website editor click on "add content" pick Text and click just above the breadcrumb block at the top to place a new text block there. Click done addig at the bottom and then click the new text block to edit it. In the editor go to html mode (the <> tool), delete waht is there and paste in this code:
<container shouldDisplay="$(inStaging)">
<p style="color: red; font-weight: bolder;">This text area contains code to restrict access to enrolled families. This note is invisible on the published site</p>
</container>
<section name=permitTypes> <directive ssl permit="askUser:enrolled" redirect=/myaccount/Login.html></section>
Ok that change and save draft, Publish as usual. On your public site you will be able to see that page (you did copy the link right?) as will any enrolled family. But if you logout of YourVirtuoso, you will not, and will be prompted to login.

The BIG financial question: Can my Business Survive?

I say YES! Even if you have fixed overhead such as rent to pay.
One approach (one size does not fit all, of course) that has worked so far is to move existing customers to the online classes and maintain the same pricing and payment plan. You will get some withdrawals of course, but you can probably live with that as long as it is within reason. But you need to be proactive about stemming that tide. Here are a few ideas I have seen to do that:
- Add more value:
  - Unlimited classes. Families join any class while they are stuck at home on lockdown
  - Extra fun online activities, shared on Facebook perhaps by your teachers.
  - Promise special events and celebrations after Covid-19 is behind us
  - Extra makeups after Covid
- The empathy appeal. This has to be done carefully, but families should know that if they stick with you, you will be able to continue offering them the classes they want. Remind them your teachers depend on you, and thus on them for their livelihood.
- Paying it Forward - If a family does not want online classes, maybe they would like to stay enrolled and let a family who are in financial difficulty use their spot?
Take out a loan? In the current economic situation, that is difficult to do from so many perspectives. However...
The CARE Act to the rescue? Yesterday the government made $2.2T available to help the country survive - and that includes you - probably...
- Your teachers can get unemployment benefits now, even if they are independent contractors, but before you let them go, consider the forgivable loans you may be eligible for IF you keep them on payroll
- I will update you as I go through the process of evaluating and applying for one of the new "forgivable" Small Business Administration loans. At first blush, it could save your business and your teachers:
  - Up to 2.5 times your average monthly payroll amount as a loan
  - For small business (<500 emp) and also applicable for Sole Proprietors (though FYI, if you have employees you should really incorporate)
  - Most of the loan can be forgivable, meaning it becomes a grant that you do not pay back. This applies to the funds you use for payroll, rent and utilities for the first 8 weeks after approval.
- Sounds too good to be true? Maybe, so I intend to update this blog including my experience applying for one of these loans.

Remember to stay positive. This will all pass in a few weeks or months and you CAN make it work and end up with new service offerings for your customers.

Now, be good to yourself and take a break

Gerry

P.S. If you are not familiar with YourVirtuoso studio management services a click here will do it

Free Music Lesson Management - Really?

gcobley@simplysignup.com (Gerry Cobley) — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 16:49:51 GMT

Yes - Really!

But why? how? - Great questions, so here goes...

Why Free Music Class Management Software?

Well that boils down to our mission here at SimplySIgnup. When it comes down to it, the more kids' lives you can enrich with the arts, the happier we will be. YourVirtuoso is designed to help you do just that, relieving you of a bunch of admin headaches so you can focus on that enrichment part. Plus, the website, online enrollment, prospect management and email tools help you reach more kids in your area.

How can all these music student management tools be free?

Actually they aren't. We do have support costs, development costs, hosting fees etc. etc. which we have to pay each month, but what we don't have is the massive marketing budget some of the other systems out there have to cover.

We have also been doing this for well over a decade, and we understand that growing your music school or music studio takes time and does not always start out as a highly profitable venture. So until we have helped you grow your business to the level where it needs credit card processing, phone (vs. online) support and an ad-free online presence, we are happy to help - for free - for as long as you want.

Eventually, of course, we hope you will upgrade to our "Pro" service. We do have those bills to pay after all!

Why not give it a try? What is there to loose?

Beware this SCAM on Music Studios

gcobley@simplysignup.com (Gerry Cobley) — Fri, 12 May 2017 15:26:02 GMT

If you are running a music studio, music school, dance school or indeed any other childrens enrichment establishment you need to be on the lookout for this SCAM. I have seen it several times at our studio, and know of one of our music studio customers who lost several thousand dollars to one just like it.

It all starts with an encouraging email like this:

From: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: voice lesson
Date: May 11, 2017 at 8:37:28 PM EDT
To: Info@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.com

Hello ,

How are you doing today ?
I got your details while surfing the internet.
I would like to make personal VOICE LESSONS schedule for my
children. They are three females and one male with
ages of ages 18,20 and 22.

I would like them to be coming two times in a week for 12 weeks.
Let me know when they can start as well.
Kindly let me know the cost for each person and the total cost for
that and also the types of payments that you accept.

Regards,
BEWARE! Some emails are more convincing than this, but here is what you can expect if you follow through...

A friendly and convincing "customer" will schedule lessons and will need to pay up front using their credit card. Usually this will be an unusually large amount - in the thousands of $
The logistics will be unusual, and perhaps they are out of the country but they have hired a driver to bring the kids to the lessons. In any event there will be third party involved
The charge goes through fine and you are flush with cash. They just ask that you pay the driver, who needs a money order or bank transfer which they can't do themselves, but it is included in the credit card payment you took so that's ok - right? - WRONG - This is where you know 100% it is a SCAM
The kids will never show up, and after a few weeks you get a chargeback notice on the credit card. It turns out the card was stolen.
Now your cash is gone, you have a small chargeback fee to pay, and you are out the amount you sent the "driver" using a non reversable money order.

At YourVirtuoso we have fraud prevention processes we run for the music studios who manage payments through us, but however you handle music lesson payments and autopay, you need to be suspicious whenever you get an unusual request for services, and keep your wits about you.

Music studio management can be challenging. A good enrollment tracking system like YourVirtuoso helps, but you are the first line of defense against these scammers.

The Benefits of Music Teacher Software

gcobley@simplysignup.com (Gerry Cobley) — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 12:30:00 GMT

No More Passion Smashing Paperwork!

Does implementing music teacher software really save you time? Can it actually generate more income from your studio?

In this case study, we have taken a typical, fairly small, music studio as an example, and calculated the time saved, money saved and revenue generated from the use of the suite of studio management features included in YourVirtuoso. The results are compelling. Your mileage may vary, of course. The conclusion probably will not...

The Numbers (sorry!)

Here are the key assumptions, savings and revenue results in chart form. Just scroll down for the "cliffs notes":

So, a very modest expenditure for the most popular YourVirtuoso Pro service package pays for itself over and over, and can drive a host of efficiency and effectiveness improvements for you. Here are some key benefits from features like online registration and payments:

94 Hours of administrative time saved per year, along with the associated "passion-smashing" paperwork! That's time you could spend with your students... or your family!
A whopping $9,000 potential revenue boost, by making sure customers get to your site, whether on a mobile or desktop device, and by enabling them to enroll and pay right then and there - while the iron is hot!
Plus, with all your data consistently saved in one secure database, you will just feel more in-control of your studio: A professional website that updates itself automatically and payment reminder emails going out all on their own. You just set up your semester or school year and sit back (almost) to watch the enrollments roll in and payments appear in your bank. Then print out your class rosters and teach!

Try it FREE!

If that sounds attractive, we have made it easy for you to give the YourVirtuoso teacher management software a try at no cost! You can start with our Free package, or go straight to the Pro package with your first month free to let you check it out. Your Choice...

or...

The Business Case for Music School Software

gcobley@simplysignup.com (Gerry Cobley) — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 15:45:00 GMT

Its all about Return on Investment - ROI

Selecting and implementing advanced music studio/school management software takes an investment of your time and effort. As a business manager, in addition to the other (more comfortable) hats you wear, you need to know whether that investment is going to have benefits - a Return on your Investment.

In this case study, we have taken a typical, reasonably large, music studio as an example and calculated the time saved, money saved and revenue generated, and the results are compelling. Your mileage may vary, the conclusion probably will not...

The Numbers

Here are the key assumptions, savings and revenue results in chart form:

So, a very modest expenditure for the most popular YourVirtuoso Pro service package can drive a host of efficiency and effectiveness improvements for you. Here are some key benefits from features like online registration and payments:

175 Hours of administrative time saved per year, along with the associated expenses for admin staff, the frustrations, and the "passion-smashing" paperwork!
Over $700 in direct savings by eliminating the multiple online tools that are integrated right in YourVirtuoso.
A whopping $13,000 potential revenue boost, by making sure customers get to your site, whether on a mobile or desktop device, and by enabling them to enroll with you right then and there.
Overall you could increase profits by nearly $16,000 per year, and
With all the data consistently saved in one database, you just feel more in-control of your studio business too.

Try it FREE!

If a profit boost like that sounds attractive, we have made it easy for you to give our studio/school management software a try at no cost! You can start with our Free package, or go straight to the Pro package with your first month free to let you check it out. Your Choice...

or...