From a business perspective

[artsyalchemist]

I just recently finished college and am looking to have students.  What have you found are the best methods to find potential students?  (Outside of applying for a teaching job at a music school).  I have a website, but it hasn't been getting any hits.

Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks!! 

[birba]

Takes time, I would think.  And word-of-mouth is probably what's going to get you going eventually.

[quantum]

Yes, word of mouth is the best resources for getting new students.

That said, you may want to consider applying to a music school.  Start teaching so people know you do such a job.  After a few years, you may find that word has spread, and you are getting inquiries from potential students. 

Also  become a registered music teacher and join your local association.  They can help you out with such things. 

[go12_3]

I make my own business cards and hand them out to parents of my students and those I meet.
In Albertson's there is a bulletin board that people can place their business cards on too.  One year I tried the flyers.  But, word of mouth is the best way.  However, this year has been the slowest for me because of the economy no matter what I do. 

best wishes,

go12_3

[Bob]

Contact local schools.  If they let you, go in and do a flashy, short performance.  Get your name on a list for students who want piano lessons at school.

I could something like that working for churches too.

Perform.  People will talk you and ask about lessons. 

If you put a lot of effort into recruiting, you might find the students you don't want.  You go out, dazzle them, and they might expect that effort all the time.  If you have students coming to you, they probably won't need as much encouragement for why they want to take piano lessons.

[lostinidlewonder]

Advertise in newspapers, newsletters for about 1/2 a year constantly. Will cost you but you will get a number of students to start you off. Given that one student who stays with you for a year is worth a lot more money than the advertising costs, it is worth it.

[artsyalchemist]

Alright, thanks for your suggestions so far!!!!

However, I have encountered a slight dilemma and thought you might be the best people to go to for advice.  I got an offer to teach a student yesterday, and another one today.  However, it not only seems that they both are out of state, they want multiple lessons per week for only a few weeks.  The student stories are just so similar, it's kind of weird.  I don't know how to approach this; I've been trying to be as much as a business person I can; but what's the best approach to respectfully decline a client if necessary?  Any advice would be great.  Thanks!!!

[artsyalchemist]

Disregard the last entry...it was indeed a scam.  My intuition was right.  I declined the offers, and will be more vigilant from now on.  I just wished this didn't happen on my very first ones...

[Bob]

Yes, by email.  There are some threads on here about that. 

I think the money side of it is that they will pay a large sum up front, you just have to send some money for fees.  That's all. 

It's just spam.  Disregard it and don't worry about it.


You could do your own advertising too.  Put up fliers at places where either your students or their parents would be.

[bluessax576]

What worked well for me was joining two groups, a local music school, and a local theater education group.  The former took a fee from my tuition, but I was provided a studio and students, and within six-months, I had fifteen students, in a year, my 3 1/2 day teaching schedule was full.  I stayed there for another two years, and was able to build up an extremely solid student base, great word of mouth, and the school kept replacing my (increasingly rarely) dropped students.  After that, I took my students (with PLENTY of notice to the school, and making sure I didn't burn a bridge), and started teaching out of my home.  The school allowed me to build up a base quickly (while sacrificing a little bit of income), and I was able to learn how to efficiently run a studio.  As to the Theater group, it put me in contact with a lot of children and there parents, and I ended up doing audition prep., vocal coaching, accompanying, etc. So the lesson of the theater group (or ANY educational group), is don't necessarily focus on just piano lessons.  You have a degree in music, you certainly know more than how to teach the piano, try and think a little bit outside the box (you would be amazed at how many parents are willing to spend 50 bucks/session to prepare little Suzie or Johnny for a community theater audition!)

[Bob]

Yes, I saw that too -- Parents who said, "I want  Susie to get this part in the school musical, so I'm signing her up for voice lessons with you." 

I was surprised by that.  It's a subniche of lessons -- Not an overall plan, but just some extra coaching to help with an audition.

[cjp_piano]

The best way is by word of mouth. Since you're just getting started and no one knows about you yet, you should join MTNA and your own local chapter. Go to the meetings and introduce yourself to the other teachers and let them know you are looking for students. They will no doubt send them your way =)