How is business?

[doreen]

Hello everyone,

I gave up my large piano studio a few years ago because I was really burned out of the business end of teaching. The problem is I miss my students. I'm thinking of getting back to teaching but am worried about the economy. I live in south florida U.S.
I was just wondering how you are all doing?
Thanks.

[virtuoso80]

Not good. I've had to look for a second job to supplement my income. The studio I get some lessons through has been stagnant about getting me new ones for the past 2 years. Prior to the downturn they'd have a dozen or so lined up in Jan or Sept, and others in between, and now they rarely get anything new - just enough to keep them floating steady but no more growing going on. Thank goodness for referrals, because personal advertising hasn't netted me anything either.

I'm on Long Island, BTW.

[green]

I used to post flyers at all the condos in the areas where I wanted to teach. Practically nothing for a year, 1000's of kids in those areas who are taking lessons somewhere, but never a reply. I one day had the brainstorm to post on phone booths along the streets, in one month I had a full schedule!

[dinulip]

Phone booths?  Do they still exist??  They are extremely rare here - in Canada.

[outin]

Phone booths?  Do they still exist??  They are extremely rare here - in Canada.

I can't remember the last time I saw one...

[j_menz]

I can't remember the last time I saw one...

Apart from this rather specialised one, of course:

[outin]

Apart from this rather specialised one, of course:

What on earth is that??

[j_menz]

What on earth is that??

Dr Who's Tardis.

[outin]

Dr Who's Tardis.

Oh, It's been ages since I saw that

[m1469]

Something I have recently started doing is allowing siblings (or friends) to take lessons at the same time, like a mini class.  I don't get paid any less for that half-hour, but it allows families who feel they are on a budget to give (both) their children weekly lessons in a way they feel they can afford, when they might otherwise decide against lessons altogether.  I am set up with only two pianos for that at my house, but I am generally happy to have that option and would like to do more, even.