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

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

What M&M's Taught Me About Music School Marketing In this episode, we're looking at one of the most iconic marketing campaigns of all time—M&M's "Melts in your mouth, not in your hands"—and how the same psychology can transform the way you market your music school. You'll learn how to move beyond surface-level promotion and tap into the unspoken fears, doubts, and curiosities that parents are already carrying—whether they've said them out loud or not. In this episode, you'll discover: Why pointing out a hidden problem builds immediate trust with parents Real-world messaging examples that speak to concerns parents didn't know they had How to create ads that stir curiosity and spark action The subtle shift from selling lessons to connecting with emotions How to reframe your next campaign to make parents say, "This is exactly what we need." If your marketing isn't converting the way it should—or if it just feels like it's missing something—this episode will show you why.   davesimonsmusic.com

In this episode, I share why group classes can be the most valuable and profitable part of your music school. When structured around ensemble performance, they don't just match private lessons, they offer more: teamwork, leadership, and full engagement from day one. I'll break down how The Band Builder Program makes this easy to launch, and you'll hear how other school owners are using it to boost revenue and retention.   davesimonsmusic.com

In this episode, we break down why group lessons could be the best opportunity for your music school—not a fallback plan. You'll discover how to rethink group education and unlock real growth for your students and your business.   Key takeaways: Why group lessons aren't a "cheaper alternative"—they're a better experience for many kids How to shift your belief so families see real value in your group programs Why ensemble learning keeps kids motivated, excited, and sticking with music longer How to position private lessons as the next level rather than the starting point The business upside: better scalability, stronger community, and higher retention   Tune in to reimagine your school's future with group classes that energize your students, families, and bottom line!   davesimonsmusic.com