Starting a new business in music teaching? Let’s get you started right from the start with this Check list!

1) HAVE A STUDIO POLICY! This sets the expectations on who you are as a teacher and what you expect from your students. Must include: how often you teach, tuition rate, the due date for payments, Missed lessons, and make up lesson rules AT A MINIMUM. Not sure how to get started with writing a studio policy, you can get my ironclad and customizable template here: STUDIO POLICY TEMPLATE COURSE

2) Have a set location or plan in where you are going to be teaching. Will you do it in your house, rent a space, travel from house to house? Have that in place before you start advertising.

3) Advertise. This is obvious, but advertise on Facebook in the local community chats, anytime someone posts about a music teacher be the one to respond and send a message. Post on your regular feed, and on Instagram. Get loud at local events, and always carry business cards with you. Post at local coffee shops or other places with community boards.

4) Learn the rules of your county and state for having a local small business and obtain whatever you need to obtain to reduce fees later on or risk being shut down later.

5) Decide how many students you can teach and your teaching schedule

6) Decide what levels you’re going to teach (beginning, elementary, intermediate, advanced)

7) Decide what method books you’re going to use and get familiar and comfortable with the flow and various songs.

8) Start thinking about where and how you can host a recital so that you have time to plan in advance.

9) Create fun and exciting activities for the students to keep them excited and engaged so they practice at home and want to keep coming back week after week.

10) DON’T forget that you are running a business. You set the hours, days, and tuition. Don’t feel pressured into making changes from your plans to accommodate someone else.

Keep checking the site for more tips on how to start your music studio, keep it running, and building a successful and Thriving music studio!

Happy Teaching!