The number of households that own pianos is steadily rising. In fact, data shows acoustic piano units sold in the United States rose from around 21,000 to 29,236. Many of these new piano owners will need lessons, which is why now is a great time to launch a piano teaching business. Keep these tips in mind as you kick off your new business owner lifestyle!
1. Put Together a Business Plan
Getting a new business off the ground isn’t easy. A business plan can help you prepare for the challenges ahead. Having a business plan will also be helpful if you apply for a business loan. Start by conducting some market research. Find out if there are other piano teaching businesses in your area, and see what they charge for lessons. From there, create a plan that describes what your business will offer and how much you’ll charge for your services.
2. Create the Perfect Space for Learning
Whether you plan on renting out a studio or teaching piano out of your home, it’s important to create the right environment for your students. It will be easier for students to focus on their lessons in a clean and quiet space. You should also make sure you have essential supplies, like a metronome and sheet music.
Before you start taking on students, you may want to give some practice lessons to friends and family members. This can help you identify potential problems and figure out what else you might need to make your teaching business a success.
3. Make Sure People Are Aware of Your Services
You may not have many students when you start teaching, but you can draw in students by marketing your business. Create a website for your business so that people can find you when they search for local piano teachers. You may even want to run an online ad campaign!
It’s also a good idea to confirm that people can find your business. Reports state that around 54% of people in the U.S. have struggled to locate a business because of a small or confusing sign. Clear, simple signage can help people find your location quickly.
4. Set Clear Rules and Policies for Your Business.
Eventually, some of your students will arrive late or miss their scheduled lessons. Having a cancelation policy can make it easier to address these issues. You should give new students a copy of these rules, and you should also post the rules on your business website.
It’s also smart to create a payment schedule. Rather than charge for each lesson, many piano teachers have students pay for blocks of lessons. Having students pay for several lessons at once can help you reduce late payments and can help you avoid chasing down students for payment.
5. Teach Your Students to Properly Sit at the Piano
Back pain is a common complaint. In fact, data showcases that 46% of chiropractic patients are looking for back pain treatment. Many people develop lower back pain after playing the piano, but you can prevent this by showing your students how they should sit on the piano bench.
Have your students sit at the front of the piano bench so that they don’t have to rely on their abdominal muscles to stay balanced. Tell them to put most of their weight on their feet. If you can help your students avoid back pain, they’ll be more likely to continue their lessons.
Learning to play the piano can be incredibly rewarding. Taking piano lessons can help people develop discipline and perseverance. If you want to share your love of the piano and start a successful business, follow these suggestions and learn what it would take to open up a piano teaching business.
