Social Media plans for Your Online Music Studio

Managing an online teaching studio is work - Lessonface is here to lessen that for you.

One of the benefits of managing your studio online is the ability to reach potential students via online channels, namely high-reach, high-sharability social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You're also the person that's closest to your potential students' online communities. Like 'em or love 'em, social media is a great way to talk to those communities en masse.

We've put together two 30-day turnkey campaigns that you can use to rev-up the old social media. Feel free to use these outright or to modify them in order to build up your student base. The first one, which is a bit more labor-intensive, sets you up to create your own content. The second relies on content that already exists on the Internet.

Campaign 1 - using Twitter and Facebook to distribute original content that you produce

This campaign uses social media to leverage original content that you have or will create. The example below uses YouTube as the original content, but if you would like to use Instagram, your blog, or another channel instead of YouTube, feel free to substitute below.

Day 0 - campaign set-up (this can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours, depending on if you already have social media accounts active)	Set up a Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube account, if you do not have one - make sure that you have a profile and background picture. If you do not want to use your personal account, set up a second account for your studio. Follow Lessonface on these three channels. In each of these accounts, make a direct link to your Lessonface instructor booking page so students can easily find you and book a lesson with you. This should be on your profile, not on your timeline, a single tweet, or a single video description. Without this, it's going to be much more difficult for a student to book with you. Extra steps (for the over-achievers out there): Set up a hashtag for your lessons content; make it something catchy like #lessonswithlisa or #learntolute Spend 30-60 min. simply following people and joining groups/communities that you think are interesting. Looking for topics related to music, especially in the instrument and genre in which you specialize.
Day 1 - Original content	Create a 3-5 minute mini-lesson on YouTube. Include the link to your instructor booking page in the description or YouTube pop-up messages. Heads up: this strategy only works if you have the link to your Lessonface booking page in the video description so don't forget that crucial step. We recommend leaving mention of Lessonface out of your video - only include it in your description so that people can book lessons with you. Post your YouTube video to your Facebook timeline - tag Lessonface. If it's something we love, we'll share it out as well. Tweet the YouTube link out and include @lessonface and some hashtags: #musiceducation, #musiclessons, #guitarlessons, #pianolessons, or your customized hashtags work well too - again, if we love it, we'll retweet it!
Day 2 - Participate in a conversation	Facebook Find a group that you enjoy and participate in one of the conversations that is appealing to you and where you have something to add. Make sure the conversation is relevant to music and music lessons (don't expect to find music students in a gardening group). This is your chance to assert yourself as an awesome instructor. If someone asks you about lessons, direct them to your instructor booking page instead of giving your email address so that others can easily find you in the future. Think that it's something we'd like? Share it with Lessonface! If we love it, we'll share it (and give you a hat tip for the share). Pro-tip: no one likes an online troll so don't start fights! Pro-tip: participate in an active conversation to be seen and heard. Like the old adage goes, if you Facebook and no one sees it, did you even Facebook? Pro-tip: don't spam - wait until someone asks you if you teach to give the link to your booking page Twitter Find an article or conversation that you like. Reply to it with your thoughts. Retweet it, sharing your original thoughts to entice others to read it. Include those hashtags! #musiceducation, #lessonface, and your custom hashtag Think we'll love it? Tweet it to @lessonface. Chances are that we'll retweet it!
Day 3 - Resource day	Find your a great online music resource. It could be a jam track, a drill, or a tool (such as a metronome). Not sure what to share? Feel free to use any of Lessonface's blog posts. If the author has a Facebook/Twitter, be sure to follow it. Post it on your Facebook wall. Be sure to tag the author in order to give credit. This also helps you capitalize on the author's reach. Tag Lessonface - if we love it, we'll share it, attributing you and the original author. If someone comments, be sure to respond back. Remember - no trolling! If someone says something you don't like, it's better to ignore than find yourself in a public flame-war. If it's something eggregious (spam, inappropriate content), delete it. Tweet about it. Be sure to tag the author in order to give credit (see why we followed the authors :) ). Tag Lessonface - if we love it, we'll share it too! Use those hashtags! If someone replies, keep the conversation going. If someone favorites or retweets, feel free to send that person a thank you direct message (DM).
Day 4 - Direct promo	Important: keep your promo-to-cool-content ratio low. That is, it's not fun to follow a bunch of advertisements. Your online channels are the place to show off your talent while gently nudging students to check out your instructor booking page. As long as the link is in your profile, people will find it. Facebook Make a post with the link to your instructor booking page. Give it a catchy, unique headline. Some ideas: let students know about Lessonface's 10% discount on 10 lessons. Offer promo codes. Post a student's review (for privacy reasons, don't include the student's last name). Share one technique that you are crazy good at teaching. Appeal to the timeline of the year (e.g., audition season, give a holiday gift certificate of music lessons). Feel free to tag Lessonface. We can't promise that we'll share it out (since we're trying to keep our own promo-to-content ratio low), but there's a chance that we might! If someone replies, reply back - keep the conversation going! Twitter Make a tweet that includes the link to your instructor booking page, including @lessonface. There's a good chance that we'll retweet this. Don't forget those hashtags! #musiceducation #lessonface and #whateveryouthinkisrelevant If someone replies, keep the conversation going If someone retweets, definitely be sure to send a thank you DM
Day 5 - Inspirational/cool content day	Find something inspirational related to your instrument. Quotes and images with quotes are highly sharable items. Post this quote, image, or other piece of cool content to both your Facebook or Twitter. If possible, attribute the author with a tag or a hat tip. Tag Lessonface - if we love it, we'll share it and attribute you and the author. If someone replies, keep the conversation going by responding. If someone retweets, feel free to thank him/her with a DM.
Day 6 - Favorite performance	Head on over to YouTube and find a performance that you love - it can be a music video, your favorite artist jamming, or a cool piece of performance art. Pro-Tip - finding official content avoids any copyright issues, so put in the due dilligence to make sure it's legit. Pro-Tip - write a comment letting the poster know how much you dig the video. If you get replies, respond. If someone asks if you teach music, share your instructor booking page link (again, don't do so unless directly asked). Remember: no trolling and no online flame wars. Post it on both Facebook and Twitter, giving attribution to the original author. Tag Lessonface - if we dig it, we'll share it, attributing both you and the author. Don't forget those hashtags! If someone replies, keep the conversation going. If someone asks if you're a teacher, share the link to your booking page.
Day 7 - Teachers choice (or take it easy)	Use the guidelines above and either post a piece of content or join in the conversation. Man, all this social media-ing is tough; I want a break! If you want to take the seventh day for rest, feel free to do so. (or use it to respond to all of the action that you've garnered over the past week)
Day 8 - Original Content	Repeat the directions for Day #1
Day 9 - Participate in a conversation	Repeat the directions for Day #2
Day 10 - Resource day	Repeat the directions for Day #3
Day 11 - Direct promo	Repeat the directions for Day #4
Day 12 - Inspirational/cool content day	Repeat the directions for Day #5
Day 13 - Favorite performance	Repeat the directions for Day #6
Day 14 - Teachers choice (or take it easy)	Repeat the directions for Day #7
Day 15 - Original Content	Repeat the directions for Day #1
Day 16 - Participate in a conversation	Repeat the directions for Day #2
Day 17 - Resource day	Repeat the directions for Day #3
Day 18 - Direct promo	Repeat the directions for Day #4
Day 19 - Inspirational/cool content day	Repeat the directions for Day #5
Day 20 - Favorite performance	Repeat the directions for Day #6
Day 21 - Teachers choice (or take it easy)	Repeat the directions for Day #7
Day 22 - Original Content	Repeat the directions for Day #1
Day 23 - Participate in a conversation	Repeat the directions for Day #2
Day 24 - Resource day	Repeat the directions for Day #3
Day 25 - Direct promo	Repeat the directions for Day #4
Day 26 - Inspirational/cool content day	Repeat the directions for Day #5
Day 27 - Favorite performance	Repeat the directions for Day #6
Day 28 - Teachers choice (or take it easy)	Repeat the directions for Day #7
Day 29 & 30 - Teachers choice + promo	Which strategy worked best for you or did you enjoy the most? Repeat that for day 29 (we recommend original content) and a promo on day #30.

Campaign 2 - the online networking approach

This approach uses less sharing of great content that you find (though you should still be focusing on sharing great stuff that you find on the internet) and puts your energies toward joining the conversations that are happening online already. Think of this as going around a room and giving out your business card. There are some guiding principles with which you should always operate:

Be nice. You get more flies with sugar than with, well, you know. Nothing will turn away a potential student like name calling and perpetuating a fight. "But s/he started it!" Then you be the one to end it by not engaging with people who are just trying to get a rise out of you; your virtual studio is too important to let someone else's immaturity jeopardize it.
Take part in lots of conversations. The more conversations that you join or start, the greater your chances of finding a student.
Ask questions and contribute in a meaningful way. If you're posting something, give people a prompt to which they can respond; if you're answering a question, be sure to either include a follow-up question in your response or to answer in a way that will keep the conversation alive.
Don't spam unless asked.

Day 0 - campaign set-up (this can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours, depending on if you already have social media accounts active)	Set up a Twitter and Facebook account, if you do not have one - make sure that you have a profile and background picture. If you do not want to use your personal account, set up a second account for your studio. Follow Lessonface on these two channels. In each of these accounts, make a direct link to your Lessonface instructor booking page so students can easily find you and book a lesson with you. This should be on your profile, not on your timeline, a single tweet, or a single video description. Without this, it's going to be much more difficult for a student to book with you. Extra steps (for the over-achievers out there): Set up a hashtag for your lessons content; make it something catchy like #lessonswithlisa or #learntolute Spend 30-60 min. simply following people and joining groups/communities that you think are interesting. Looking for topics related to music, especially in the instrument and genre in which you specialize.
Day 1 - Start a conversation	If you aren't part of any groups or if you don't follow anything music-related, add 5-10 of the following: Magazines/outlets such as Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Billboard, or NPR - these outlets are always putting out great new content for you to comment on Instrument groups such as flute, bass guitar, and harmonica. Artists that you like Organizations that report on music education such as NAfME Gear and instrument manufacturers Your favorite music venues Start 3 new conversations in these groups. Not sure what to discuss? Here are some ideas: Comment on an artist's new song Share a technique or drill that you found to one of the music groups Ask a question
Day 2 - Participate in a conversation	Comment on up to 10 already-existing threads on Facebook and Twitter Remember this is the time to show off your expertise Facebook Find a group that you enjoy and participate in one of the conversations that is appealing to you and where you have something to add. Make sure the conversation is relevant to music and music lessons (don't expect to find music students in a gardening group). This is your chance to assert yourself as an awesome instructor. If someone asks you about lessons, direct them to your instructor booking page instead of giving your email address so that others can easily find you in the future. Think that it's something we'd like? Share it with Lessonface! If we love it, we'll share it (and give you a hat tip for the share). Pro-tip: no one likes an online troll so don't start fights! Pro-tip: participate in an active conversation to be seen and heard. Like the old adage goes, if you Facebook and no one sees it, did you even Facebook? Pro-tip: don't spam - wait until someone asks you if you teach to give the link to your booking page Twitter Find an article or conversation that you like. Reply to it with your thoughts. Retweet it, sharing your original thoughts to entice others to read it. Include those hashtags! #musiceducation, #lessonface, and your custom hashtag Think we'll love it? Tweet it to @lessonface. Chances are that we'll retweet it!
Day 3 - Resource day	Find your a great online music resource. It could be a jam track, a drill, or a tool (such as a metronome). Not sure what to share? Feel free to use any of Lessonface's blog posts. If the author has a Facebook/Twitter, be sure to follow it. Post it on your Facebook wall. Be sure to tag the author in order to give credit. This also helps you capitalize on the author's reach. Tag Lessonface - if we love it, we'll share it, attributing you and the original author. If someone comments, be sure to respond back. Remember - no trolling! If someone says something you don't like, it's better to ignore than find yourself in a public flame-war. If it's something eggregious (spam, inappropriate content), delete it. Tweet about it. Be sure to tag the author in order to give credit (see why we followed the authors :) ). Tag Lessonface - if we love it, we'll share it too! Use those hashtags! If someone replies, keep the conversation going. If someone favorites or retweets, feel free to send that person a thank you direct message (DM).
Day 4 - Direct promo	Important: keep your promo-to-cool-content ratio low. That is, it's not fun to follow a bunch of advertisements. Your online channels are the place to show off your talent while gently nudging students to check out your instructor booking page. As long as the link is in your profile, people will find it. Facebook Make a post with the link to your instructor booking page. Give it a catchy, unique headline. Some ideas: let students know about Lessonface's 10% discount on 10 lessons. Offer promo codes. Post a student's review (for privacy reasons, don't include the student's last name). Share one technique that you are crazy good at teaching. Appeal to the timeline of the year (e.g., audition season, give a holiday gift certificate of music lessons). Feel free to tag Lessonface. We can't promise that we'll share it out (since we're trying to keep our own promo-to-content ratio low), but there's a chance that we might! If someone replies, reply back - keep the conversation going! Twitter Make a tweet that includes the link to your instructor booking page, including @lessonface. There's a good chance that we'll retweet this. Don't forget those hashtags! #musiceducation #lessonface and #whateveryouthinkisrelevant If someone replies, keep the conversation going If someone retweets, definitely be sure to send a thank you DM
Day 5 - Inspirational/cool content day	Find something inspirational related to your instrument. Quotes and images with quotes are highly sharable items. Post this quote, image, or other piece of cool content to both your Facebook or Twitter. If possible, attribute the author with a tag or a hat tip. Tag Lessonface - if we love it, we'll share it and attribute you and the author. If someone replies, keep the conversation going by responding. If someone retweets, feel free to thank him/her with a DM.
Day 6 - Favorite performance	Head on over to YouTube and find a performance that you love - it can be a music video, your favorite artist jamming, or a cool piece of performance art. Pro-Tip - finding official content avoids any copyright issues, so put in the due dilligence to make sure it's legit. Pro-Tip - write a comment letting the poster know how much you dig the video. If you get replies, respond. If someone asks if you teach music, share your instructor booking page link (again, don't do so unless directly asked). Remember: no trolling and no online flame wars. Post it on both Facebook and Twitter, giving attribution to the original author. Tag Lessonface - if we dig it, we'll share it, attributing both you and the author. Don't forget those hashtags! If someone replies, keep the conversation going. If someone asks if you're a teacher, share the link to your booking page.
Day 7 - Article day	You know where people like to hang out? The comments section of articles in publications such as the NYT, Buzzfeed, and Gawker. Go to your 5 favorite music-related articles that you've read this week and join the conversation in the comments section. If you're not following any publications, use Google to find some recently-published articles. If you still aren't sure where to go, head to Reddit - which is one giant conversation. Some sub-reddits to check out include Music Education, Music, or instruments (such as piano, guitar, and violin) New to Reddit? Follow these simple rules: Be helpful and generous and Reddit will return the favor Wear your thick skin and let rudeness slide off your back Don't sell anything unless asked Put your Lessonface booking page in your profile
Day 8 - Start a conversation	Repeat the directions for Day #1
Day 9 - Participate in a conversation	Repeat the directions for Day #2
Day 10 - Resource day	Repeat the directions for Day #3
Day 11 - Direct promo	Repeat the directions for Day #4
Day 12 - Inspirational/cool content day	Repeat the directions for Day #5
Day 13 - Favorite performance	Repeat the directions for Day #6
Day 14 - Article day	Repeat the directions for Day #7
Day 15 - Start a conversation	Repeat the directions for Day #1
Day 16 - Participate in a conversation	Repeat the directions for Day #2
Day 17 - Resource day	Repeat the directions for Day #3
Day 18 - Direct promo	Repeat the directions for Day #4
Day 19 - Inspirational/cool content day	Repeat the directions for Day #5
Day 20 - Favorite performance	Repeat the directions for Day #6
Day 21 - Article day	Repeat the directions for Day #7
Day 22 - Start a conversation	Repeat the directions for Day #1
Day 23 - Participate in a conversation	Repeat the directions for Day #2
Day 24 - Resource day	Repeat the directions for Day #3
Day 25 - Direct promo	Repeat the directions for Day #4
Day 26 - Inspirational/cool content day	Repeat the directions for Day #5
Day 27 - Favorite performance	Repeat the directions for Day #6
Day 28 - Article day	Repeat the directions for Day #7
Day 29 & 30 - Teachers choice + promo	Which strategy worked best for you or did you enjoy the most? Repeat that for day 29 (we recommend original content) and a promo on day #30.