[Classroom Attraction] Popular with existing students, but new students aren't joining
Because I was popular with my existing students,
new students would naturally gather as well.
I genuinely thought that.
I get some referrals.
New lessons for existing students also sell reasonably well.
But new students just don't come.
Even when they finally come for a trial lesson,
it doesn't lead to enrollment.
"Why is that?"
I never knew the answer to that for the longest time.
"I should post more."
So I wrote about my passion for teaching.
I posted about my classroom's philosophy.
I uploaded photos of lessons in progress.
I also shared testimonials I received from moms.
"If I post this much, it will get through."
I genuinely thought that.
But all that increased were consultations from moms.
It rarely led to lessons.
"Why?"
When I thought that and looked back at my posts, I realized something.
The testimonials that made me happy
"She is a wonderful teacher."
"I can trust her."
"I can talk to her about anything."
They were all truly happy words.
But while looking at those testimonials,
I suddenly thought.
Would I want to send my own child
to my classroom after seeing these testimonial posts?
Would I think about signing up
for a trial lesson?
……Probably not.
These are the testimonials I received from
moms who actually attend my classes.
But what if a mom who is seeing my classroom for the first time looks at them?
Even if she thinks, "I see,"
I don't think that alone will make her say, "I want to have my child attend here."
Who was I sending my message to?
I looked back at my posts once more.
My passion for teaching.
The philosophy of the classroom.
Scenes from the lessons.
Thanks to the teacher...
Before I knew it, those were the only kinds of posts I had.
And then, I finally understood.
My posts were
being sent to people who
already knew about my lessons.
Students who come every week.
Their parents.
That's why it resonated with them.
But moms who are looking for a new extracurricular activity
don't know me yet.
They have never taken a lesson either.
And yet, I was
"It will surely get through, right?"
I kept posting with that assumption.
What I still check even now
Even now, when I post, I check one thing.
Who am I writing this post for?
Is it for the students who are currently attending?
Or is it for
a mom I have never met before?
Looking back,
it was a very simple thing.
But it really took me a long time
to realize this difference.
If you are currently feeling,
“I am working hard on my posts, but I just can't attract new students,”
and you are a teacher who feels this way, please take just one moment to look back at your own posts.
Are those posts aimed at the students who are already attending your classes?
Are those posts
aimed at the students who are already attending your classes?
Is that what your posts have become?
For me, realizing that was the first step
in rethinking how I share information.
Now, I am able to receive
a different response than before.