Posted by joe exley on February 19, 2004 at 14:20:51:
In Reply to: Help and Advice for private teaching posted by Karl on February 19, 2004 at 11:07:19:
> Is it a realistic view to make some decent bling bling
> by just doing private teaching and maybe some freelance
> solo engagements on top of that.
YES. Been there.
Go to an area and network like crazy – band directors are your friends... Find a NICHE.
For example: (this worked extremely well for me a few years ago when I was doing this)
Call a Jr High school band director at a decent school/district you know has a few euph players
Get 2 private students there
Get 2 students at the high school it feeds into
Get 2 students at the other jr hi that feeds into the high school
Get 3 beginner students at the elementary that feeds into one of the jr high schools
(and so on...)
Set it up so you can go to all of them in one day. (teach during band class or afterschool)
Your students tell their friends and your numbers increase by 50% before long.
The next school over hears about you and wants you for a master class... or the district needs someone to judge a solo contest (more $$$)
and on and on....
Do this same thing in several different areas. You will be amazed at how many band kids are out there and how many soccer moms that are out there just waiting to write the checks.
Develop a symbiotic relationship with the band directors. Sell to them that getting their kids into lessons makes THEIR kids better and makes THE BAND DIRECTOR LOOK GOOD ---they looove this!! :)
Also getting the kids into lessons early during elementary and jr hi makes them much better by the time they get to high school. Press this (it is obvious, but you would be surprised on how many hs directors don’t think of this) The high school band director may then, call his feeders and suggest that students take from you.
Teach at the schools if possible (versus at a nearby music store) not only is it more economic, it is EASIER for the parents.
Make the lessons an agreement between yourself and the parents – leave the band directors out of it, they have enough to deal with. Only use them to advertise to get students, give you space to teach, and tell other band directors about you. They will love you if you can deal with the logistics on your own.
Good luck
peace