I'm.... BOOKED!?
I just scheduled 3 new students today, which is rounding out my total to 18 students. September is just flying by and I'm exhausted, excited and can't wait to dig in a bit more. I'm teaching Mondays Wednesdays and Saturdays - my Mondays & Wednesdays are now booked- what I consider to be completely gone with little wiggle room. Mondays I'm teaching 1:30-8:00 (with a 2 hour break) Wednesday I'm teaching 4:30-8 (2, 15 min breaks) and Saturday I'm teaching 9-5:30 (with an hour and a half break for lunch and 2, 30 min openings left). What how did this happen? How have I gone from praying and agonizing over my students coming back to fitting people in? I feel so grateful to be where I am right now, and I'm feeling really good about what I've learned in the process of signing up new students and actually expanding. 1. Working smart vs. hard. I once walked around my neighborhood and placed flyers and adverts into people's mailboxes, trying to bring my services to their attention. That did nothing for me. However, after my cousin had success with her home business I decided to heed her advice and order a lawn sign. My family was concerned it would look tacky, but it doesn't and now the business is coming to me. Now, I'm aware that just because you hang a sign, doesn't mean people will line up.... but sometimes it does. I hung up the sign a week before school started in our neighborhood and that seems to have been the perfect timing. It it concise, has my phone number and website and happens to be on the route to two elementary schools. The sign has paid for itself, many times over. Ordering a sign = smart, walking circles around your neighborhood for almost nothing = hard.
2. Be prepared and be consistant.
I've been working on forms and printable worksheets for myself for the last few months. In-take forms with contact information, payment logs and I've just made an expenses form too. I am able, ready and confident to give reciepts, I've looked up the laws on tax in relation to music lessons and I can quickly, effeciently and professionally take on a new family. Also, it's important to stock up on books that are used often. When I did the review on Music for Little Mozarts, I realized that I loved it so much I should get a few more because that's where my students typically start. It's also handy to have a variety of music method books to figure out which is the best one for your student.
3. Have a standard. I'm often asked if I will travel to homes for students. I understand and empathize with that desire; maybe you've worked all day, you have 3 kids, you want to come home and be comfortable, cook and maybe shower while someone can be with your kids AND give them the amazing opportunity and gift of music lessons. However, I firmly do not travel. That is a decision that I will stick to, even if it costs me a student. I truely believe that so much of the music lesson is influenced by the environment that I take time and pride in making my studio an environment condusive to learning, focus and creativity. 4. Breaks are important. In the summer I was working at a music store as a receptionist. One of the worst things about that job, was that my breaks were irregular, they were not considered vital by management and I'd have to ask about 5 people hours before I wanted a break to cover me for a break. This was a contributing factor to why I no longer work there. 15 minute breaks between students allows me to make tea, have a snack, use the bathroom, take an asprin if I need to, have a second snack. Even though I don't need an hour and a half for lunch on a Saturday, I know it will make me happier, calmer, energized and therefore a better teacher. 5. Remember that things will change. I think it's really easy to be swept up in the excitement of something going well, espeically when you a) love what you're doing and b) are getting paid respectably for it. While I'm so excited and can't wait to begin playing with all my students I'm trying hard to remember that my heart is in this first, and I want to make being the best teacher I can be the priority over teaching as many students as I can. With a grateful heart, and heavy eyelids - goodnight!