Quick and easy tips to help you get through touch economic times:

Quick and easy tips to help you get through touch economic times:

1.    Offer less lessons each month.  It’s better than earning no money at all
    from the student.

2.    Offer small and large group lessons at a discounted price.

3.    Allow siblings and / or friends to take lessons together and charge a discounted price.

4.    Offer discounts for lessons paid in advance.

5.    Offer one free lesson for new students (even a 20 minute trial lesson.)

6.    Incentives are excellent.  Offer a discount for one month or a short time,
    such as, until January 31, six one-hour music theory lessons are
    discounted to $200 instead of $250.

7.    Bring a friend for a lesson and receive a $20 discount.

8.    E-mail and snail mail school teachers on a regular basis.  You can never
    market yourself too much.  Send brochures and / or business cards to
    teachers. 

9.    Take some of your students to the mall, Starbucks or local coffee shop to
    play for free.  Pass out brochures and business cards.

10.    Refer a friend and receive a free theory lesson.


If you have more ideas, please add them as a comment !!

Lost students ?

For teachers who have lost students:

•  Budget yourself to teach less students
•  Teach A different  instrument on a beginner level
•  Don't lower prices
•  Offer deals
•  Approach former students -- offer them a deal to start with
•  What is the reason the student(s) has quit? Is there anything you can do about it?

Copy of New Years email I just sent  to local teachers:

Hi & Happy New Year !! I have a couple of openings for violin and viola students 
in my studio. I'm offering a free 30 minute lesson or one free chamber music 
class so they can come and see my studio and how I teach. If its easier for you 
to give me names and emails, I can contact them myself. Plus, I'd like to offer 
my services for free to your school program. I'm happy to come to your school at 
any time. 

JUST be careful NOT to use the word FREE in your subject line -- it'll go 
directly to spam !!

Do you want more students this fall?

Some suggestions.  Offer deals.  I offer a deal for 12 lessons.  Pay in advance and receive a 10% discount.  Offer overlapping lessons to siblings.   Sign up for six theory classes and receive one free half-hour lesson.  Recommend a new student and receive one free half-hour lesson.  Plus, offer a free 30 minute trial lesson. 

Advertising is always good, especially when it’s inexpensive.  If you want to place an ad, do so in your local paper so that it’s not too costly.  Place a flyer and / or business cards in local businesses, especially music stores.  Take business cards to school music teachers. 

If you have more suggestions, I’d love to hear them.

Curious to know if any of you "fire" students who do not work to your expectations? And if so, do you have a policy in place that parents read before lessons start...I am conducting some informal research because a colleague and I have been discussing it and assume different conclusions...lol
THANK YOU!
Joan

Rates

I’m often asked how a studio teacher should determine what to charge per hour.  I suggest you talk to other studio teachers in your area and math / english and SAT tutors. 

Should you be less than other teachers in your area or more?  My advice is, don’t charge too little and don’t charge too much.  If you charge too little, parents will think you’re not very good and if you’re too expensive, they may not be able to afford your prices.

Plus, during tough economic times, try not to raise your rates too much.  I raised my rates a couple of dollars after 2 1/2 years.  I did tell the parents / students in a letter that it had been 2 1/2 years.  January 1 is another great time to do this.  Just send out a letter, email or both. You don’t need to explain why. 

Locations

Locations
There are lots of great options for private studio teaching locations.  If you have enough room in your home, you can choose a suitable room.  If that doesn’t work, many teachers choose to find private studio teaching schools.  You will earn less income, but will not have to find students or deal with the parents and paperwork.  

Renting a location is another great idea.  Make sure you add the rental fee into your hourly fee.  The last possibility is to private studio teach in a private or public school. 

Welcome. Please check back often for tips and tricks on  running a successful Private Music Studio!