Befriend Your Local Music Store, Grow Your Studio

Back when I was in graduate school, I saw that my local music store was hiring voice teachers.  A job that allowed me to set my own hours and teach what I knew best?  Perfect.  I applied for the job and was hired soon after.

It turns out that I was the only voice teacher they hired, which translated into LOTS of students.  I enjoyed teaching them, but I soon realized that the music store setting was not for me.  I couldn’t bear to part with those high studio fees every month, and I didn’t like the fact that my studio was a shared space with other teachers.  So I kindly thanked the store manager for giving me the opportunity to teach there, said goodbye to the other employees, and closed up shop.

But that wasn’t the end of my relationship with the music store. 

I kept in touch with the manager, emailing him on occasion and staying in touch through Facebook.  I made a point to purchase all of my music books, instruments, and equipment there, so I saw and chatted with the employees regularly.

After I finished graduate school and opened my own studio, I began receiving phone calls from potential students who had been referred to me by the music store.  Not only did the employees know that I offered piano, voice, and guitar lessons, but they also were aware through our frequent conversations that I was a music therapist, specializing in work with children who have special needs.

My short-lived stint as a teacher at the music store ended over five years ago, but I still get student referrals from them on a monthly basis.  And although I could probably get my books, instruments, and equipment for less by ordering online, they have made up the difference with countless new students.  Not only that, but they also offer small favors from time to time at no charge — like stringing my guitar when I go in for new strings, special ordering music they don’t have in stock, and spending hours helping me pick out exactly the instrument or equipment I need.

The relationship I’ve cultivated with my local music store has been essential to my studio, which is why I’m always telling other teachers to do the same if they haven’t already.  Have you reached out to your local music store yet?