Several years ago, a parent encouraged me to start a Facebook page for my Music Lingua business.  At first, I was skeptical about the need to do this or the benefits that might arise from pursuing it.  With her encouragement, I entered the social media world slowly and now I have over 400 weekly views!  Initially, it was a fun way to share images of what happened in the classroom, especially the crafts.  It’s easy for parents to tag themselves and share on their own timelines so family and friends can see what fun they are having in the Music Lingua classes.

My students enjoy my posts that tie into the curriculum we are covering.  For example, parents may appreciate a link to a grammar explanation that time does not allow us to address during class.  They also enjoy videos in the target language that may correspond with the vocabulary that they can share with their children.  I also use Facebook as a forum for directing parents to activities in our community such as foreign language conversation groups, international festivals, etc. and certainly to alert them to upcoming classes and activities I support.  With a little encouragement and a click of a button, they can help spread the word to their family and friends.

I try not to post more than once a day, but do try to post something every couple of days to keep my audience engaged.  This doesn’t mean I need to be on Facebook every day.  Facebook makes it very easy to schedule posts well into the future so you can be actively engaging your Facebook audience even while you’re on vacation!  Statistically, the posts that get the most attention are the ones that ask people to respond with a comment or idea, so consider doing this to ensure your post gets the maximum visibility.

Do you use social media to promote your business?  What has worked for you?  Please comment below!

We’ve all seen them, those crazy-looking squares of digital gobble-gook, right?  In fact, a QR (Quick Response) Code is a machine-readable code consisting of an array of black and white squares, used for storing URLs or other information for reading by the camera on a smartphone.

This is a really cool and handy technology for marketing Music Lingua classes!  QR Codes are easily created online for free – try QR Code Monkey, QR Code Generator or the original Kaywa.  You can even embed images such as the Music Lingua logo!

Once you have a QR code linked to your website or registration page, you can use it in all kinds of marketing materials.  People are much more inclined to use their phones to scan a QR code on a poster, brochure, flyer or business card than type in a url to get to your website.  I have even seen them used on car magnets!

The added benefit of using a QR code in your advertisement is simplicity.  Find a catchy phrase to capture attention such as “French Classes for Kids!” along with the Music Lingua Logo, your website name, phone number and QR Code.  Bigger, eye-catching images with few words will attract more attention than a wordy piece that overwhelms the eye.

Have you used QR Codes?  What has worked for you?  Please add your comments below!

Music Lingua provides high-quality logos to use in advertising, and marketing studies tell us that a customer needs to see a logo 12 times to immediately recognize it, so be sure to plaster your community with this amazing logo!

In addition to using the logo on your marketing materials (brochures, flyers, etc.), consider making magnets for your cars.  Your vehicle is an excellent mode of free advertising, especially if you tend to go where other parents go.   Strategically park your vehicle where it will have the most visibility, even if it means walking a bit further to your destination.   Your community will soon recognize the driver as the Music Lingua teacher too – just be sure to be a polite driver!  😉

The logos make great stickers to hand out at the end of a free class or during a school expo.  Kids love stickers and make great walking billboards for your program!  You can have them printed or print them yourself.  I use the round Avery 8293 labels.

You may also want to consider purchasing yard signs with the logo, your number or website with “French/Spanish/German for Kids!”  Place them around schools, preschools, popular toy stores or anywhere there are children or children’s events.  Pay attention to locations where signs stay put.  Many communities and businesses are quick to pull up these types of signs, but eventually, you will find the spots where they remain for a good amount of time.  I consider it the cost of doing business when one disappears, but it’s still much cheaper than placing an ad in the paper.  I strategically place signs around the language school at the beginning of the year when families are looking for activities, knowing that it will only be there until the school mows the grass again.

Local print stores are a great place to visit and talk about what products will help build your visibility in the community. I like Vista Print where you can save money by creating the designs yourself.  I have used them for my printing needs for many years with great success.

What has worked for you in your community?  Please add your comments and questions below!