The Secret to Student Retention: Tiny Moments That Make Students Stay for Years | Ep 266

January isn't just another enrollment push. It's your launchpad for the entire year. In this episode, Dave breaks down how music school owners can turn January sign-ups into long-term, emotionally connected families who stay through summer and beyond. This isn't about more ads or better discounts—it's about building the kind of experience families don't want to leave. You'll learn how to use January momentum to create retention systems that quietly do the heavy lifting all year long. In this episode, you'll discover: Why January is one of the most powerful (and overlooked) enrollment windows of the year How January enrollment directly impacts summer retention, and what most schools miss The real reason families pause lessons in the summer (and how to prevent it) Simple, repeatable ways to create emotional connection at scale How small, consistent touchpoints turn students into long-term members of your community Why systems, not memory, are the secret to sustainable retention If you want students who stay past the honeymoon phase and parents who see your school as part of their child's identity, this episode lays out the playbook.   davesimonsmusic.com

Holiday season isn't just recital season… it's decision season. In this episode, you'll learn how to turn the "new instrument" moment (Christmas/Hanukkah gifts) into a powerful enrollment boost without sounding salesy or generic. If you want more students in January, this is the window to act, and we'll show you exactly how. In this episode, you'll learn how to: Spot the holiday enrollment window most music school owners miss (and why it matters right now) Shift from "Now enrolling" to hyper-specific messaging that makes parents feel understood Use the "new instrument" fear ("Will it end up under the bed?") as a high-converting hook Activate your superstar families with gift-style referral cards that multiply trust Run holiday ads the smart way: dedicated landing page + simple A/B test (holiday vs. general) Build a short email sequence that drives action using curiosity + emotion + a deadline Follow up confidently (text/phone) without feeling pushy because it's not annoying, it's leadership Listen in if you want a clear, practical playbook to fill January and kick off the year with momentum.

This episode digs into a challenge many music school owners quietly struggle with: feeling like everything depends on you. Dave walks you through the mindset shifts and simple systems that help you step out of that bottleneck role and build a school that runs with more ease, clarity, and support.   You'll learn: How the 80% Rule helps you release perfection and trust your team A straightforward method for documenting and delegating recurring tasks How to hand off not just work, but the thinking behind the work Why your highest value comes from steering the business, not managing every detail A practical way to use AI to strengthen your assistant's strategy skills How small, consistent delegation steps lead to more freedom and real scalability   If you're ready to reclaim your time, lead with more confidence, and build a school that doesn't rely on you for everything, this episode will give you the tools to start.   davesimonsmusic.com

Parents quietly judge lessons by three things: pleasure, practice, and progress. When one slips, doubt creeps in and retention drops. In this episode, Dave breaks down how to make progress visible, make practice doable, and keep joy high—so families stay enrolled longer.   In this episode, you'll learn how to: Spot the early warning signs of parent doubt and stop churn before it starts Turn "practice battles" into simple, repeatable routines kids can follow at home Make weekly progress obvious to non-musician parents between recitals Use quick communication rituals that build trust without adding teacher workload Reframe lessons so parents see them as an investment, not an expense Align your school around the 3 Ps—pleasure, practice, progress—to lift lifetime value   Perfect for: music school owners who want higher retention, happier parents, and a calmer home practice culture.   davesimonsmusic.com

Running a music school is a constant juggle—marketing, staff management, parent communication, and daily fires to put out. What if you could have a strategist, systems expert, and creative partner on call anytime you need one? In this episode, we explore four simple but powerful ChatGPT prompts that can completely shift how you think, plan, and make decisions for your school. These aren't just "AI tricks". They're conversation starters that help you uncover insights you didn't know you had.   Here's what you'll learn: The one prompt that helps ChatGPT act like a true business partner, not just a chatbot How to get smarter, more personalized results from AI by asking the right questions A two-word prompt that can instantly reveal the blind spots in your plans A creativity booster that gets you unstuck when brainstorming promotions or program ideas How to integrate these prompts into your weekly workflow to save time and make better decisions   Tune in to start simplifying your systems, clarifying your strategy, and running your school with more ease.

Parents do not stay in your music school because of curriculum alone. They stay because they feel connected, seen, and part of something bigger. In this episode, you'll discover how to transform uncertainty into long-term loyalty through intentional experiences. Here's what you'll learn: Why trust, not discounts, is the foundation of retention How small gestures from your staff and teachers create loyalty The role of policies when paired with empathy Why community keeps families enrolled long term The 5-step "Loyalty Loop" framework that turns parents into advocates Listen in and learn how to design parent experiences that go beyond lessons and build lasting belonging. davesimonsmusic.com

Parents don't buy music lessons. They buy transformation. In this episode, you'll learn how to use storytelling as your most effective sales tool. What you'll discover: Why stories resonate with parents more than facts or sales pitches How storytelling highlights transformation, not just lessons The social power of music—identity, confidence, and status How to build and use a "story bank" for calls, emails, and posts Simple ways to match stories with parents' hopes and fears By the end, you'll know how to shift your marketing from "selling lessons" to showing parents what's truly possible for their child. davesimonsmusic.com

Marketing doesn't fail because Facebook ads don't work. It fails because the message isn't clear. In this episode, we dig into the biggest marketing myths holding music schools back—and how to fix them. You'll discover: Why parents aren't buying lessons—they're buying transformation. How to craft a story that resonates with families in your community. The #1 shift that makes your ads, posts, and emails actually work. Why consistency beats intensity in every marketing channel. A simple exercise to uncover the words parents really want to hear. If you've been frustrated with marketing that feels like a money pit, this episode will help you create a strategy that actually connects—and converts. davesimonsmusic.com  

This episode is your go-to checklist for making the most of fall's natural enrollment surge. Whether you've got 20 students or 200, you'll learn practical, fast-to-implement tactics to increase sign-ups and re-engage past families. Here's what you'll take away: If you want this fall to be your biggest enrollment season yet, this episode will give you the tools and the timing to make it happen. How to make your homepage irresistible to parents in seconds. The exact question to ask in first calls that uncovers their "why." A simple calendar trick to catch families right after sports season. How to use instrument-specific ads with deadlines for more clicks. Ways to turn your dropout list into your best free marketing source. The fastest way to follow up with your warmest leads. Why you should talk about your school way more than you think. If you want this fall to be your biggest enrollment season yet, this episode will give you the tools and the timing to make it happen. davesimonsmusic.com

In this episode, I get real about something every music school owner feels in their gut: your school is more than a business—it's your baby. But just like raising a child, you eventually need to prepare it to thrive without you. I share what I've learned from working with school owners across the country, the emotional journey of selling my own school, and the mindset shift that changed everything: thinking like a seller, even if you never sell. This episode is for any owner who feels tired, stuck, or unsure how to scale beyond themselves. Plus, I invite you to a powerful free webinar on Wednesday, July 31 at 1:00 PM ET: "How to Build a Music School That's Sellable—Even If You're Not Planning to Sell" with special guest Jeff Homer, CEO of Ensemble Performing Arts. Reserve your spot: welovemusicschools.com/webinar