Marketing my services

[lisztianick]

Hi,

I have decided i should start teaching. I have no college education in music. The highest academic achievement i have is ABRSM grade 8 only !!

But, I think i can be good as a teacher. Many people told me i have some instructive talents in music. So, I just wanna try my luck. I won't charge much though !!

What i was asking about is how can i market myself and how can i let people know that there is someone who teaches piano there ?? Is there any plans or any strategies ?? Who should i consult ??

Thanks,
Nick

[pizno]

I'm in the same boat as you.  I am printing up flyers, sticking them in neighborhood doors, joining the local piano group referral list, telling teachers I know to refer to me if they are full, putting signs up at the laundromat.  So far, I have 2 students.  I am doing a teacher training course, and have played the piano forever, but it's embarrassing when people ask if I have a degree in music or how long I have taught.  I'm sure the word will spread, eventually!

[quantum]

craigslist for your local area.

Also check if you have a local arts oriented websites that let you do classifieds. 

Ads on local college and univiersity campuses.  Note buildings that are not music related may have some people wanting to continue lessons they had as a kid. 

Ads around performance spaces and venues.  Also try those local churches and community centres that rent out their halls. 

[penguinlover]

Just be patient.  Word of mouth works well.  My teacher used to give her students rewards for new student "we" brought in.  A new teacher in my area had classy door knockers printed up.   They were great, and they covered the entire town with them.  I called them just to tell them I lilked their advertisement, even though they are the competition.

[timothy42b]

I won't charge much though !!


Thanks,
Nick

That's probably a bad idea. 

If you don't charge much, people tend not to think you're worth much. 

I would say charge what you think you're worth, considering the local market.  Perhaps consider offering a special introductory rate for new students to get them hooked.

I know, you're trying to be modest, but the perception is going to be somewhat different.   

[hyrst]

I agree that you should not chare a smallfee - you are setting yourself up for complications in the very near future.  Yo uare better off to draw in fewer people, more slowly.  You will get the same amount as if you charged half the fee for twice as many people.  Also, bringing students in more slowly ives you the oportunity to focus on developing teaching styles that work for you and to work out learning sequnces, etc. 

Also, if you charge less, it is true that people will take advantage of you - thinking you are not as professional and therefore not deserving as much respect.  It's not deliberate, but hink about it - if you were choosing to buy a product, would you not expect htat the cheapest one was not as good - especially if there is a big price difference?  At the moment, you are probably jsut thinking youwant to make a start, so it doesn't matter.  However, speaking from experience, don't do it!!!!  You need to find out what other teachers around you charge, and perhpas charge a little less if you woudl feel more comfortable that way.

I advertise with my education credentials, but I have never actually ahd anyone ask what my qualifications are.  People do ask how many students I have of different ages.  The best way to deal with that is to be honest - tell them you have just decided that you would like to work full-time as a teacher, but if you have given lessons in the past (even her and there), it's OK to mention you have taught on and off for X number of years. 

You may well be surprised how quickly your number of students builds up.  I find most new students are beginners, but perhaps you might say you specialise in beginners.  That way, you can avoid feeling liek you might take on aomeone at a level you can't handle.  Also, if people do ask about your credentials, perhaps you could say you are working towards your teaching diploma - or somethin similar.

Word of mouth will eventually become the most productive net for new students.  Until then, use any free advertising you can find.  I got my first 3 students from a community notice board.  One term's advertising in school newsletters was also worthwhile, but expensive for starting out. 

Good luck

[lostinidlewonder]

Advertise in local newspapers, there is one place I go to, the Fremantle Herald and that will send the advert you give to about 5 different local newspapers. You must make sure you advertise before the beginning of the school year becaue this is when you will get most of your students.

Approach schools and ask them if you can put a message in their newsletters they hand out to their students. If the schools say they have piano teachers already in their school say that you offer a different service, that is you actually go out to the students homes to teach (something that you will have to do when you start out teaching, there is much more demand for IN-HOME teaching than having to go out, make sure when you advertise you mention you go out to peoples homes to teach.)

You can also approach churches and social groups. Once you get your initial 10 or so students often you can encourage your students to find you other students by offer a discount to their own lesson fees for referals. I have offered this to students of mine who do not earn a lot of money and one even has their lesson for free because they reffered so many!