For the New Teacher: 3 Simple Steps to Start Teaching
You have the knowledge--check. You have the instrument--check. Now what? Making the decision to start your piano studio can feel intimidating and overwhelming, even if you are well prepared with the skills and knowledge to teach. How does a new teacher even start with opening a piano teaching business?
Thankfully, all it comes down to is 3 SIMPLE STEPS. These 3 steps are the perfect gateway to opening your piano studio business. I have followed these steps myself, and have opened 3 successful piano studios across the country. I am confident that following these steps will be the jumpstart you need to get the ball rolling as a new teacher.
STEP #1 - Select & Study a Beginner's Book Series
The greatest thing about this step is that you are already familiar with a beginner's book series - your own! When you started learning piano yourself, your teacher started you on a beginner book series. It's either time to dig those books out of storage or order them on Amazon!
Most of these books do a great job of walking both a teacher and student through the the beginning stages of learning the piano. Some even include an outline of which books from the series to introduce at the right time. They may include supporting resources within their series to further help your student learn the basics of reading and playing piano music.
Study this before starting any students.
The more you are familiar with your book series, the more prepared you will be for your student in addressing their learning needs!
Most students you start teaching will be at the beginner stage, but as your students progress to higher levels you will repeat this study process for the next level as well.
Tip #2 - Market Yourself...Everywhere!
We are blessed in this day and age with the most powerful marketing system to ever be created: social media. Post on your personal social media page, local Facebook community pages such as buy/sell groups, and on google!
Creating a website also goes a long way with interested parents and students to provide professional credibility (Google offers a simple outline if this step gives you anxiety).
However marketing goes beyond posting ads and websites, word of mouth is still another highly effective marketing tool. Start talking about what you do with friends, family, your church congregation, your child's daycare, anyone that will listen!
Depending on your community's rules, you can also post physical ads in gyms, libraries, churches, and schools (*make sure to follow their rules on advertising personal business*).
Need more marketing tips? Check out my my Studio Ownership page.
Tip #3 - Start Small
To avoid drowning in new students and being a new teacher yourself, start with a handful--like 4-5 students. Once you find your teaching rhythm, add a few more. Don't be afraid to have a waitlist of interested students until you feel more comfortable to add them.
You'll find that as you become more comfortable teaching, you will start personalizing your lessons to fit your personality and teaching style. At this point, you can start to add fun, educational games (check out my post on Turkey Games for Thanksgiving!), a rewards system, and other teaching resources or strategies.
Every Successful Teacher Starts as a New Teacher
Remember, every successful piano teacher started from where you are right now. It's OK to not be the perfect teacher right now. Find better ways to do things along the way, change up your book series if needed, and grow. The process of becoming the piano teacher you want to be is one of the most fun and rewarding things you will ever do!
For a complete guide on opening a successful studio, download my FREE eBook The Key to a Successful Piano Studio.
As always, stay tuned!
(pun unapologetically intended)
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