At one of my recent teaching association meetings, we discussed how even studio owners and music teachers are feeling the affects of the bad economy. As families tighten their belts a bit more and look for ways to lower their budget, some of their children’s extra curricular activities are seen as unnecessary luxuries. Use some of the tips below to prevent your studio growth from becoming stagnant during lean times:
Educate your clients
Make sure your client base understands the importance of the service that you offer, and why it isn’t expendable. I use quarterly newsletters to reiterate the importance of music lessons by linking studies and data that show the benefits of learning piano. I also write occasional articles for our local parenting magazine about the benefits of music education. Doing so helps my students and their families prioritize music lessons and hopefully look to cut other things out of their budget if they are faced with making difficult choices during financial hardships.
In 2007, I took on my first piano student as a way to supplement the income I earned at my full-time school job as a music therapist. By 2008, I was traveling to students’ homes 5 days a week and had almost 20 students (while still working full-time at the school). In 2009, I opened a dedicated studio at my home and was able to teach 25 students in the evenings…all while still working long days.
Since I opened up my studio ten years ago, I have required all parents to attend a year-end parent/teacher conference. The conference is always scheduled the week after spring term ends. This year it will be the first week in June. Every parent is required to attend in order to register for lessons in the next year. Parents sign up for 30-minute time slots per child. Students that are age 15 or older may join their parents but it is not required.