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April 2022 • Volume 1, Issue 3
Welcome
The official birth year of the Internet is 1983 (well, some say 1969…). Today, most successful studios reflect the importance of social media, web design, digital studio management, copyrights in the digital world, and online teaching. It is hard to imagine the current teaching world without the use of the Internet. Our April Digest explores ways to use the Internet to enhance our businesses as well as some tips for summer income and student retention.
Beth Gigante Klingenstein, NCTM
MTNA Business Resources Coordinator

♪ Just a Note: For those who have an interest in the topics below, links are provided at the bottom of many of the Digest articles to take you to various MTNA Business Resources sections of the MTNA website.
In the Spotlight
3 Steps to Building a Client-Centric Social Media Marketing Plan
Sara Campbell

Overwhelmed with using social media to market your studio? You’re not alone. The social media world is constantly changing, and it can feel downright frustrating trying to keep up with the trends. Read more
Meet the Entrepreneur
Online Teaching is Not Just for Pandemics
Davis Dorrough, NCTM

After most of the music profession was thrown into online teaching during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Davis Dorrough found plenty of reasons not to go back to in-person lessons. Learn why he chose this path, how he pivoted his business to an entirely virtual model, where he found new students and how he enhanced the online experience with innovative technology. Watch video
Technology Tips and Tools
Web Design with Your User in Mind
Jennifer Stadler, NCTM

A website is essential to every business. But simply going online isn’t enough to be successful. You also need to provide an excellent User eXperience. In this article, you’ll learn the key principles of UX web design through industry examples and how to apply them to achieve your objective, whether that’s selling your sheet music or filling your music studio. Read more
Top Five
Top Five Must-Haves for Creating a Dynamic Website
Yelena Wells

OK, you have 7 seconds. That’s right! Research shows that we have only seven seconds to grab someone’s attention and make a good first impression. Don’t miss out: learn the Top Five Must-Haves for creating a dynamic website, increasing traffic and getting found online. Read More
Legal Landscape
The New Face of Music (and Copyright)
Chris Goldston, NCTM

COVID, virtual teaching, Zoom, downloadable PDFs…. all have changed music instruction forever, and rapidly. Don’t let it change your respect for the laws governing copyrights, purchasing music and sharing that music with others. Read more
Resource Gems
Surviving the Summer Slump: Ideas for Boosting Summer Income
Amy Chaplin and Jennifer Walschap, NCTM 

Do you stress about income as the summer months approach? These ideas from proactive teachers will help you plan ahead and keep your studio afloat when revenue fluctuates. Read more
Looking for a Good Read
Never Lose A Customer Again: Turn Any Sale into Lifelong Loyalty in 100 Days
Heather Smith, NCTM

In Never Lose a Customer Again, Joey Coleman provides eight phases of the customer journey that every teacher (and business owner) should understand in order to improve their connection and communication with each family and student. From the initial call of a potential family to a student who has studied with you for years, this book gives you practical and insightful resources on how to attract and retain students. Read more
Heads Up

Would you like to contribute to a future MTNA Business Digest? Here are some topics we are considering; we are open to more! 
  • Policies/studio management
  • Finances (fees, budgeting, investing, income)
  • Studio structure (private, multi-teacher, LLC, S Corp)
  • Summer planning (summer terms, summer camps)
  • Marketing (social media, websites)
  • Technology for the studio/school (apps, equipment, recording)
  • Self-care (setting boundaries, work hours, vacations)
  • Professional development (options for continued learning)

Contact Beth Gigante Klingenstein at mtnanet@mtna.org with any ideas or questions you may have. We’d love to hear from you! Guidelines for submission.

We invite you to share the MTNA Business Digest as a resource for the readers of your blog, website, webpage or on social media. Digest Archives can be found by clicking here.

MTNA offers its sincere thanks to all those who contributed their insights, knowledge and experience in this issue of the MTNA Business Digest.