Episode 3: I Used to Refund Every Missed Lesson. Here’s Why I Stopped.
A student cancels with an hour's notice. Do you offer a makeup lesson, fit them in somewhere that doesn't really work for you, or quietly let the income go because saying no feels too uncomfortable? If you've been handling missed lessons on a case-by-case basis, making it up as you go and feeling quietly resentful about it, this episode is for you.
In this episode:
Why handling cancellations case by case costs you far more than money
The core reframe: what your students are actually paying for when they book a lesson slot
How people-pleasing shows up in your studio policies, and what it's quietly doing to your teaching practice
The fear of losing students when you tighten up your approach, addressed honestly
How to communicate a no-refund policy clearly and without over-apologising
Why monthly billing and a no-refund policy work so well together
Links mentioned:
If this episode resonated, the free Studio Policy Template is a good starting point for getting your policy out of your head and into writing. And if you're ready to look at monthly billing as the system that makes a no-refund policy feel logical rather than awkward, the Monthly Billing Transition Toolkit has everything you need to make the switch.
If the show is proving useful, a review on Apple Podcasts goes a long way in helping other music teachers find it.
