Thread: Promoting Classes

So about a week ago I was asked by my flamenco teacher to put a belly dance class together for the re-opening of her old studio next month. I have been over the moon about this and rummaging through my music and going back over the basics like a mad woman. The problem is she won't schedule me or advertise the classes on her website until I have students signed up.

Now I know I can put up fliers in her current studio and she has agreed to send out announcements via email, but how else can I promote classes? Are fliers acceptable in the restaurants I dance at? (I guess that would be up to the manager) I am in the process of building a website. But what about local papers? I do have a myspace account, but that's specifically for friends and family, so I guess I would have to get a whole new account.

But any other ideas out there???

Free calendar listings in the paper ALWAYS get me a ton of calls. Check the 'contact us' page of your newspaper's website, there's probably an e-mail address for events.

You could try putting up flyers at places like local community colleges, coffee shops, the library, or even on craig's list (for free). Maybe even hair salons. Just try to think of places that women hang out or spend time at. You would have to get permission of course.

It sounds a bit back to front to me, but maybe I'm misunderstanding (two nations divided by a common tongue and all that).

She's declining to *schedule* you (which I'm reading as "reserving the studio time for you") until you have a classfull of students?
Why would anyone sign up for your classes if you can't tell them when the class would be taking place? Even if you have 20 people signing up in principle, you can be sure that as soon as you tell them the specific timings, a chunk of them are going to tell you that that particular day/time is no good for them. Timing really is a critical factor in people's choice of how to spend their leisure time. A lot of our students are mums, so they not only have to consider their own personal schedules, but also their children's activities. So the interest that you generate won't necessarily translate into actual fee-paying students, which is what I'm guessing your flamenco teacher/studio boss is interested in. You'll only be able to count on people's cold hard cash once you can give them specific class times.

Or have I completely got the wrong end of the stick?

Originally Posted by beafarhana

It sounds a bit back to front to me, but maybe I'm misunderstanding (two nations divided by a common tongue and all that).

She's declining to *schedule* you (which I'm reading as "reserving the studio time for you") until you have a classfull of students?
Why would anyone sign up for your classes if you can't tell them when the class would be taking place? Even if you have 20 people signing up in principle, you can be sure that as soon as you tell them the specific timings, a chunk of them are going to tell you that that particular day/time is no good for them. Timing really is a critical factor in people's choice of how to spend their leisure time. A lot of our students are mums, so they not only have to consider their own personal schedules, but also their children's activities. So the interest that you generate won't necessarily translate into actual fee-paying students, which is what I'm guessing your flamenco teacher/studio boss is interested in. You'll only be able to count on people's cold hard cash once you can give them specific class times.

Or have I completely got the wrong end of the stick?

She did say she has an opening for Wednesday nights (sorry, I think I may have misconstrued that). I think in her mind she wants me to find students who are already willing to sign up. She's having a grand re-opening this Saturday and wants me to invite any possible students. Which right now, is about 0. But you're right, I need to determine an exact time. And I think we are looking at Wednesday nights around 6 or 7.

Originally Posted by ElissaDancer

And I think we are looking at Wednesday nights around 6 or 7.

That sounds like an "after work" slot, rather than an "evening" slot. Which means you might want to gear your advertising to local office workers, rather than the mom at home types (6-7 is kids dinner time/bed-time). Flyers/Poster on the social noticeboard at big local employers maybe.

And can you do a free taster session, at the Grand Reopening?

Thanks to all the ideas ladies!
Yes, it would seem I have to advertise to the non-mom's at home. I'm getting on the ads right away.
And that is a great idea to have a 'taster' for the re-opening!! Thanks!

Elissa - aside from calendars, some cities have several different free sites you can advertise on, in mine the tourism bureau has an event calendar. I also dedicate a day or two to serious flyer posting - all over the city, everywhere you can think of. That generally fills my classes. Good luck!