New Private Music Teacher? Here's the Best Way to Find Students

Happy private music teacher

I remember when I first started private teaching, lo these many years ago. I was excited, but also nervous. I had thoughts like, Can I do this? Will anyone sign up? Will people actually pay me to teach them? 

Of course, as a new teacher without much experience, an impressive teaching resume, or glowing testimonials, finding students was a bit of a challenge.

But I figured it out, and over the years grew multiple successful and lucrative studios in different locations. Even as a new private music teacher, with a little guidance, I’m certain you can do the same!

I’m here to help you skip the growing pains I struggled through as I figured out how to find, attract, and convert new students as a new teacher. 

Below are three key strategies I discovered that I used over and over again to find students and grow my studio.  If you’re just starting out, these strategies will not only help you successfully find and convert students right now; they’ll also help you build a solid marketing foundation that will serve you well for years to come. 

Strategy 1: introduce yourself to the music community in your area

Because you’re a new private music teacher, you’ll need to do some legwork to introduce yourself to and establish relationships with those who can serve as referral sources. This strategy requires a bit more planning and time at first, but I promise you it’s worth it. 

Introducing yourself to the area music community helps you do several important things at once. 

• It gives school music teachers and others who can serve as a referral source the opportunity to know, like, and trust you so they’re more likely to send students your way

• It can provide the opportunity for you to demonstrate both your playing and/or teaching ability

• It allows you to meet and work with potential students so they also get to know, like, and trust you - the most important factor in whether or not they sign up for lessons

Consider offering to do a masterclass for a school band, orchestra, or choral director. If you teach piano, consider asking a general music teacher if they'd like you to come in to do a fun class about the piano.

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Strategy 2: Identify your unique teacher attributes and advertise them. 

The more specific you can be about what makes your lessons unique and valuable, the more effective your advertising will be.

So consider yourself from others’ perspective; what is it about your personality or approach to teaching that will make your lessons different and more valuable? Are you fun to be around? Do you have a knack for making people feel relaxed and comfortable? Are you kind and patient? Are you fluent in a variety of musical styles that you could teach? Are you super flexible and relaxed?

For example, I advertise lessons that are “fun and motivational” because I’m good at keeping students motivated and finding the fun in our time together.

Once you identify the words or phrases that describe your teaching “special sauce”, use it in all your marketing materials. Your promotions will be much more effective if your more specific about why lessons with you are so awesome.

Strategy 3: Offer small group classes as a gateway to private lesson sign-ups

Even if offering long-term group lessons doesn’t interest you, consider offering limited time, small group classes as a gateway to private lessons. Even a class of, say, 3-5 students gives you considerably more exposure than an individual introductory lesson. 

These “gateway” classes also have a number of other advantages:

• Kids are often social creatures and may be more likely to try something new if they can sign up with a friend

• These classes help you stand out from the competition because not a lot of teachers offer them

• Through the class you can build the know, like, and trust factor with potential parents and students so they are more likely to sign up for private lessons once the class ends

• These classes provide an opportunity to subtly “interview” potential private students so you can gauge whether or not they’d be a good fit for you as a private student

I loved teaching so much, it ended up becoming my full-time job. Whether you’d like to build a full-time studio or just a nice side hustle, give these marketing strategies a try.

Would you like some additional FREE marketing strategies? Here you go!

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