Independant CFI's best way to get students

[Bernoulli]

As independant CFI's, what was the best way you found your students. Did you advertise in the yellow pages ($$$$) or Newspapers / magazines? If any of you did anything creative that actually worked in finding new students please share your experiences. Thanks in advance.

 

[sim66]

Newspaper adds can get expensive. Best bet is to hang around the FBO's and make friends and network. It is your personality that will sell. I walked into my old FBO a few weeks ago just to see an old friend. I started talking to this pvt. pilot who owned his own 172. He didn't like the instructors around there and before I knew it he was asking me if I could give him private instrument instruction.

 

[350DRIVER]

A newspaper ad usually will not do very much in the way of obtaining prospective new students. How many people go looking for flying lessons in a newspaper?. I have not met any...

Personally if it were me I would probably market the medical/dental professions within your local market since the doctors/dentists are the ones that usually show quite the interest when approached (atleast it worked for me). I have trained quite a few and they seem to be the biggest spenders and "enjoy" the whole bit about taking flying lessons. It also gives them a reason to leave the office early on during the day to go do something that they "enjoy" not to mention that it makes for good golfing stories to tell their doctor friends....I have even had two doctors that went and bought an aircraft once they obtained their private and they did the instrument training as well. Possibly going to the local doctors offices and trying to speak to the doctors.? Talking to your own doctor/dentist.? Seeking permission to post a card/flyer in the hospital break room.? Office? Frequenting the medical message boards online and posting.? Looking up the medical websites online for your local area and sending out a well marketed email directed to the doctor to stir up interest. I have also done well within the legal profession. . . There are many many ways to get students but it really depends on how badly you want it and how hard you try.


I would make a brochure as "professional" as possible and I would also incorporate some nifty marketing as well in it if I were you. I think that if you send one or two "initial" brochures/emails out to generate some interest I would probably follow that up by coming up with some type of color, professional presentation and making a visit to the office since this will be much more personable and may generate even more interest. There are many many ways to come up with the email and brochure format, all depends on how much time you have on your hands to devote to this. If it were me I would make it short, sweet, and to the point and explain in the email/brochure "how" it could benefit the doctor/dentist down the line in having the advantage of having an aircraft at their disposal to make meetings, weekend getways, conventions, golfing get aways, etc, etc, etc, .....

A few of the doctors that I have trained have really taken advantage of this since time is pretty important to them and it is much easier now (present day) for them to just fly their own aircraft when they need and not have to worry about the airlines or driving . I would also be well versed in the areas of aircraft ownership, lease, etc, etc, and explain how this may be a valuable asset to them at some point down the line. It may take a little research on your part but I have found out that it has paid off and it will most likely generate quite a few students for you.


Go after the people that have money to burn...

good luck,

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[English]

There's a book entitled "The Savvy Flight Instructor" by Greg Brown with lots of great ideas about recruiting students.

 

[midlifeflyer]

My web site does a good job but since I'm only part time, my needs are pretty small.

I started flying when my wife bought me a set of 3 lessons for my birthday. This seems to be the way that I get most of my introductory lessons - not no-profit Discovery Flights, but introductory lessons where I get enough to pay for the airplane and make something myself.

The most single effective marketing piece I ever did was my first year as a CFI. I offered a 3-lesson package around Christmas with the lead, "Did you give socks last year? This year give the Gift of Flight." Advertising was exclusively on my web site and within the company where I worked. Sold 6. Even within that small group there was an interesting mix. I had people who continues taking lessons, people who just took the 3 lessons, and some who just took one or two or none.

 

[Pilot Doc]

Personally if it were me I would probably market the medical/dental professions ... Possibly going to the local doctors offices and trying to speak to the doctors.? Talking to your own doctor/dentist.? Seeking permission to post a card/flyer in the hospital break room.? Office? Frequenting the medical message boards online and posting.? Looking up the medical websites online for your local area and sending out a well marketed email directed to the doctor to stir up interest.

Pharmaceutical sales representatives would be an efficient route to access MDs. Making a presentation at a drug-sponsored educational dinner with 10-20 docs in attendance could be high-yield. You might also convince a rep to buy flight lesson coupons from you to use as promotional perks for the docs.

 

[350DRIVER]

Pharmaceutical sales representatives would be an efficient route to access MDs. Making a presentation at a drug-sponsored educational dinner with 10-20 docs in attendance could be high-yield. You might also convince a rep to buy flight lesson coupons from you to use as promotional perks for the docs.

Good suggestions Doc, possibly even the medical seminars and conventions as well. The possibilities are endless with a vivid imagination....

fly safe,

3 5 0

 

[flyifrvfr]

I have an ad in the form of a window sticker/ sign that says Learn TO FLY. This sticker covers a large portion of my pick-up trucks' rear window.
The sticker has my name and types of instruction I give. I have had 5 calls as a result of this sticker, and of the 5 calls, one became a full time student. I also advertised in a local community paper for one month at a rate of $ 80.00. The ad has only been out for a little over a week and as of yet, no calls resulted.

 

[Bernoulli]

Pharmaceutical sales representatives would be an efficient route to access MDs. Making a presentation at a drug-sponsored educational dinner with 10-20 docs in attendance could be high-yield. You might also convince a rep to buy flight lesson coupons from you to use as promotional perks for the docs.

These are some very good creative ideas. Thank you 350 Driver and Pilot doc.

 

[MarineGrunt]

There's a book entitled "The Savvy Flight Instructor" by Greg Brown with lots of great ideas about recruiting students.

This book should be required reading for all instructors and even strongly recommended to students.

 

[350DRIVER]

This book should be required reading for all instructors and even strongly recommended to students.

Had no desire to ever read that book nor did I ever read the many similar ones.

Be unique and innovative, doesn't take a brain surgeon to be successful in the CFI business.


save your money and good luck,

3 5 0

 

[pullmyfinger]

Landings.com

You can reference the FAA database of pilots (I use landings.com) and narrow your search to your geographical area. Once Ive identified pilots, I can direct market, usually via mail.