Contacting a Teacher Before Booking

## Why Contact a Teacher First?

Reaching out before your first booking is a great way to make sure you and the teacher are a good fit. You can ask about their teaching style, clarify pricing and scheduling, and introduce yourself so the first lesson feels less like a cold start.

You do not have to message a teacher before booking — you can book directly if you are confident — but a short message often leads to a smoother experience for both sides.

## What You Need to Contact a Teacher

You need a Tissimo student account to send a message to a teacher. Browsing profiles is open to everyone, but messaging requires signing in.

If you do not have an account yet, you can create one for free at **tissimo.com**. Once signed in, the contact option will be available on the profile of any active teacher who accepts messages from new students.

## How to Send a Message

1. Open the teacher's profile page at `/music-teachers/profiles/[teacher-name]`
2. Look for the message icon (a chat bubble) on their profile
3. Click it to open the message composer
4. Write your message and click **Send**

The teacher will receive your message in their Tissimo inbox and can reply directly through the platform.

## What to Include in Your First Message

A good first message is short and specific. Here are the most useful things to mention:

- **Your instrument and level** — for example, "I play violin and I am at a late beginner level"
- **Your goals** — what you are working towards, such as a grade exam, a performance, or general improvement
- **Your availability** — the days and times you are generally free for lessons
- **Any questions** — if something on their profile was unclear, ask here

You do not need to write a long message. A few sentences covering these points is enough for the teacher to respond helpfully and specifically.

> **Tip:** If you are considering a few different teachers, it is perfectly fine to message more than one at the same time. You are not committing to anything by sending a message.

## What Happens Next

Once a teacher replies, you can continue the conversation, ask any follow-up questions, and agree on details before booking. Some teachers may suggest a short trial lesson as a first step — this is a low-commitment way to experience how the lessons feel before signing up for a full package.

When you are ready to book, you can do so through the teacher's profile or via a link they share in their reply.

## Troubleshooting

**The contact button is not showing.**
Make sure you are signed in to your Tissimo account. If you are signed in and still cannot see the button, the teacher may have temporarily paused new inquiries — try checking back in a few days, or browse for other teachers in the meantime.

**I have not heard back.**
Teachers respond at different speeds. If you have not received a reply after a few days, it is reasonable to send a short, polite follow-up, or to reach out to another teacher at the same time.

**I sent a message to the wrong teacher.**
There is no way to unsend a message, but this is rarely a problem — simply clarify at the start of any reply. If you have not heard back, no action is needed.