The Top Challenges You'll Face When Starting a Music Teaching Business (And How to Overcome Them)
Starting any new business is not without any risks. It takes time, effort, and determination to get any business started and ultimately hit that goal of a thriving business. Thankfully, music studios are one of the businesses that can thrive sooner rather than later, you decide how many students, you decide when and where to teach. You are offering a SERVICE. And most likely a service that is needed in your area. But let’s talk about some challenges you can face and how to better prepare for them just in case. I’m Becky, and I’ve built my music studio twice in 2 very different cities and I share all my tips and tricks on how to start, run and build a successful and thriving music studio!
1) Lack of students. Getting your name out there is going to be the #1 challenge in starting your studio. It’s all up to you on advertising that YOU are a teacher. That means, telling all your neighbors, friends, asking all of them to pass along your info if they know of anyone. Getting on Facebook, Instagram and putting yourself out there tagging your city or County location so that when people look in your area your name and studio pop up. Order business cards to hand out when needed and always carry some in your wallet. Leave the business card or flyer at a coffee shop, or local establishment (I like leaving my info at mom and pops locations). This is to get you started! You can check out more at this post here: 5 Marketing Strategies to Help Your Music Teaching Business Stand Out.
2) Pricing. Determining your tuition rate CAN be a challenge. It’s all about finding that Goldilocks pricing that works for you, and works for the family so that you aren’t over and above the local average for teaching. Check out this post to confidently price yourself and set you apart from the other studios!
3) Student Retention. Once you start a student, it’s easy to see working with them for years to come, especially if you teach beginning through advanced. But, students will come and go in your studio. The #1 goal is to keep students LOVING lessons so much that they beg their parents to keep taking lessons (yes it can actually happen!) Create a fun and exciting atmosphere in your studio. Decorate for ALL the holidays. Have candy (always a winner with kids) Pick songs that they will like along with your standard rep. I like to have a fun Halloween song for each student to work on in October. Plus let them pick the Christmas song for the holiday recital. I also like to have a “challenge” or reward-based incentive in the studio. Keeps them working towards something plus it helps them practice more regularly.
4) Avoid teaching Burnout. Set your schedule, and be firm with it. I get wanting to teach everyone that sends is interested, but also, be realistic with what you can handle with your already busy life and schedule. Be really honest with yourself in how long each day you can teach. How you can still spend time with your family. Remember, most lessons are an A-typical work schedule. For me, my husband gets home from work around 3:30 and takes care of the kids while I teach until 6:30. So I don’t get a lot of after school time with my kids. But I also, don’t teach every single day of the week. So I make time, and I keep it that way. Not everyone’s schedule will align with yours so…Start a waitlist if you have to so that if you do lose a student you already have someone or a list of someones waiting to work with you. And schedule in BREAKS, spring break, Thanksgiving and Christmas are guaranteed break for the whole studio and for me personally, I take June through Mid August off from teaching.
What are some challenges you have faced or fear facing when you start teaching?
Happy Teaching!
Becky