lead

Why Social Media Followers Aren’t Leads (And What To Do Instead)

Why Social Media Followers Aren’t Leads (And What To Do Instead)
Let me guess.

You’ve been showing up on Instagram. You’re posting about your lessons. You’re even trying those little trending audios where you point at text boxes and lip sync (major kudos if you actually enjoy those 😅).

But despite all the doing... your schedule still has more holes than a practice room on a Friday night.

And the little voice in your head is starting to whisper things like:
“Maybe I’m just not cut out for this…”
“What am I missing?”
“Why is this working for other teachers but not me?”
Friend, it’s not you. It’s the strategy.

The truth they don’t tell you about going freelance.

Most classroom music teachers who dream of going freelance have a moment where it all feels possible—freedom, flexibility, and more time with your family.

And then?
Reality hits.

Bills. Doubts. The pressure to “build a brand.”

The fear of giving up a steady paycheck for something that might not work.

So what do we do? We dip a toe in.

We start posting online.

We try to “build an audience.”

We hope the students will come.

But here’s the thing...

❌ Followers are not the same as leads.

You can have 2,000 followers and still no income.

You can have a viral post and still no paid bookings.

Because visibility ≠ viability.

Social media is great for attention & visibility.

But email marketing is where real connection—and real business—happens.

Wait… do I really need email marketing?

If you’re serious about building more than just a lesson studio...

If you’re dreaming of digital offers, group programs, local partnerships, creative freedom and real income... then yes.

Because email isn’t just for big brands or “techy people.”

It’s your direct line to the people who care about what you offer and are ready to go deeper.

Here’s why it works:
  • It’s personal. You’re showing up in their inbox, not buried in a feed based on an arbitrary algorithm.
  • It’s intentional. You can guide people through a journey, not just hope they happen to see your next post.
  • It converts. Like, way more than social. (Some stats say 6x higher. I believe it.)

So… what should I send?

Don’t overthink it. Start with value.

  • A weekly tip or encouragement
  • A behind-the-scenes story from your teaching or biz-building life
  • Student wins or testimonials
  • Updates on offers, workshops, new resources
  • Sneak peeks & early release offers
  • Free content with a clear Call To Action (even if that CTA is “come hang out with me!”)
Pro Tip: You don’t need to email daily. Just show up consistently—like a real person, not a brand billboard.

But what if I’m still not getting bites?

Then it’s time to zoom out.

If your emails, posts, or offers aren’t landing, it’s probably not a content problem—it’s a clarity problem.

Who exactly are you trying to help?
What do they actually need?
How do you solve that problem better than anyone else?
When you get super clear on your ideal student (aka dream client), your whole message shifts.

Suddenly, people start saying things like: “It’s like you’re inside my head.”

And that? That's the beginning of real traction.

💡 Inside this blog, I share how I help teachers build that clarity through a custom Ideal Student Blueprint—and what that process can unlock for your business.

Final thoughts from someone who's been there...

You’re not “just” teaching lessons.

You’re building a business.

A business that creates time, income, and freedom.
A business that reflects who you are and how you love to serve.
A business that doesn’t rely on algorithms or burnout to grow.

So stop waiting to “feel ready.”

You’re already equipped!
Now let’s build it—on purpose.


This is my health story

 

I have always been sensitive. That's a word that has described me, my body in particular, my whole life. I have skin sensitivities to fabrics, bruise easily, I get cold easily, I tend to be on "alert" all of the time (no coffee needed here!), I'm a musician and very creative, and I don't even THINK about using any conventional personal care or other products that are scented... they bother my skin, and they bother my respiratory system too. I've never been able to use any scented products because of the discomfort and increased sensitivity they cause. I can't be around people who wear perfume or scented deodorant, because I can't breathe well and my head has discomfort. I can't go into a public bathroom that has been just cleaned because of the toxic chemicals they used to clean it. I can't enjoy candles or most lotions or makeup like most women I know because I'm sensitive to it.

During my first semester of college, I started to develop debilitating discomfort in my jaw, which I was later told is TMJD or temporomandibular joint dysfunction, not just the kind of little twinge when you bite down on something too hard, but long-lasting aching, along with clicking and cracking. It was exacerbated by singing, gum-chewing, caffeine, and other things, and I was easily able to cut out all of the things listed on my doctor's list except for one -- singing. I was a vocal music education major, and singing was my livelihood (or at least soon-to-be), so I couldn't just not practice! I struggled so hard for 2.5 years through long choir rehearsals, voice lessons, practice sessions, and more. By the end of the day, it would be so bad that I'd almost be in tears. My roommates and boyfriend (and his roommates!), bless their servant hearts, would bring me freezing cold ice packs to numb my face enough so that I could fall asleep at least, though I would wake up in the night unable to fall back asleep due to other sleep issues I also was dealing with.

It seemed like a vicious cycle that I needed to stop. Maybe I needed to change majors and give up my dream of making music, of teaching others to make music too. Maybe I needed to pick something that didn't require so much singing and talking. Even smiling a lot bothered me, so maybe I needed to pick a major or job with less human interaction. But THAT idea broke my heart. I didn't enjoy any of the things I could think of! My boyfriend at the time (now husband!) and I had many conversations about what I should do... singing was part of the fabric of my BEING. I am MADE to sing. If you know me, you know that hardly an hour went by without me humming or singing some little tune. But my jaw bothered me so much most of the time that I needed to change SOMETHING. But what?

And that's when change came...

I found some natural and pretty simple solutions -- though simple doesn't always mean easy! It required a LOT of discipline and self-control on my part.

I'm blessed now to have so many versatile tools in my tool box for any emotion, body system, or issue I may be experiencing. So, where am I now? Healthier than I’ve EVER been. I have NO jaw issues anymore when I keep up my self-created protocol. I sleep through the night. I feel so much better now that I'm sleeping more and deeper. I've spent 4 years now working through the emotional issues I faced in early career, and I am so happy that I can now FEEL emotions without feeling completely run-over and frozen by emotions. I’m also happy to say that I have only had little illnesses since finding solutions, not the constant strep throat and other illnesses I was getting at least once per month before! And, that’s saying a lot as I was constantly around germs while working full time with 500+ elementary students. But once I started supporting my immune system, I stopped getting sick every couple of weeks. I can clean with the most amazing smelling cleaner without coughing. I can wear my own homemade "perfume" and get compliments, and not only does it smell good, it supports my body systems. I can use amazing smelling shampoo now! I can have twice as much energy for the day without drinking any coffee or sugary drink. When I started having these successes, I was at first in disbelief, and now in awe at all that God's created, I believe, and given us for our good. Now these are my first line of defense, my go-tos, the first thing I do when something is off, which is not very often anymore (usually just when the weather changes, ah MN life).


I look forward to living a beautiful life of freedom and feeling empowered every single day, enjoying the life I was meant to live. That life includes sharing my story of overcoming and helping you also find better, safer solutions to overcome your daily struggles.

Are you ready to live empowered to be your own best advocate? Let's chat.

Contact

Copyrights © 2025 held by respective copyright holders, including Andrea Orem.