How can a violin teacher find new students?

August 17, 2012 at 06:18 PM · My answers from this thread

http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=22950

a week or so ago:

Random ideas, several of which are free (although the best advertisements will have a definite time cost, as there is nothing like a face-to-face connection)

*Facebook page/advertisements--even if you don't do a paid ad but all your friends see that you offer lessons-some of my best teaching experiences were with college peers

*Google or yahoo ads. I think you can still list free in google business.

*Develop a good reputation with your local music store and get on their teaching lists. This has probably been my best source of recommendations.

*Ask if you can leave business cards or fliers in your local library, diners, retirement communities. A small local business will often be happy to reciprocate: if you frequent and recommend them, many will be glad to promote you in return.

*Play wherever you can think of and bring business cards

**Go meet your local school string teachers. Ask if you can come in and make a presentation, help in the classroom, etc. (You could just ask to be put on their teacher listings but you are much more likely to get students if you make a personal connection and establish your credibility)

Understand that you will probably start slow, but if you are a good teacher your studio WILL grow. Time, demonstrable quality, and personal investment are what it will take.

August 17, 2012 at 09:57 PM · For me, the best source has been the abovementioned suggestion of developing a good relationship with the violin shop or school music instrument rental shop where your potential students are likely to get their instruments.

A lot of parents will go down to the instrument shop when their child has been begging for lessons to check violin prices, and then when they decide that's affordable, will ask the strings rental person for teacher recommendations.

The other two sources I've gotten students from are parents talking to one another and passing out my email address, and getting on the after school enrichment program of a local elementary school. These are programs offered at the school itself after school hours, and many parents are happy to have the opportunity for their child to learn violin at a familiar location and/or during their aftercare time. I'm very lucky in that the school I'm at doesn't charge me any rent for this.

Good luck!

August 17, 2012 at 10:05 PM · Make contact with

-local violin shop

-local orchestra teachers

-local youth orchestras

-local arts council

Most of the above will have a resource section for teachers - especially the youth orchestras since they need teachers to send them students!

August 17, 2012 at 10:16 PM · Alright, so I have done so far the following:

1. facebook notification

2. volunteer at sons elementary school with their strings program

3. posted signs in neighborhoods near the school at stop signs etc.

4 established a relationship with the local music shop.

5. signs on the side of my car.

I know it builds slowly but wanted to see if I was missing something. Will try Google business for sure. Free is key! ha ha!

August 17, 2012 at 10:22 PM · Good idea Erica and Robert!

I am hoping to teach next year and might use some of the suggestions.

August 17, 2012 at 10:33 PM · Don't forget to check out your local home schooling programs and make sure they have your name and information on file.

August 18, 2012 at 02:54 AM · Here, online ads don't seem to do much anymore no matter how you word them, I used to get a few students, but I have gotten some students from the schools I do workshops at (especially from private schools where most families don't mind travelling farther and are willing to pay more for lessons, to them another $60/hour or so is almost nothing), travel teaching has generated me some students (because I've had periods which I've taught as many as 7 students in one small area because they are more likely to give you referrals, I find), connecting with teachers of other instruments (I just referred two flute students to a friend of mine from the camp, and a cello student for a different friend, both from the camp I just did this past week, plus got potentially up to 5 students myself from the camp, 3 clarinet, 2 piano, and have numbers for 2 of the clarinet students and 1 of the piano ones), teaching lessons in a public space such as a church (which my husband and I have gotten 5 students from the math tutoring program that runs while we are teaching lessons, we're upstairs in the sanctuary, and they're in the basement, and kids and parents get curious about the music, having students see you as a performer, doing mini-concerts at schools and daycare centers with a bit of a lesson incorporated in them. Referrals from happy students have helped too. Placing tear-off ads in the wealthier neighbourhoods that value the arts in grocery stores has helped quite a bit too, my husband has mostly gotten students from there, and for some people, posting at dance schools and martial arts places sometimes works.

August 18, 2012 at 06:00 AM · I did get one student from Craigs List and I travel to his home. I am going to put up flyers in all the churches, groceries etc. I also like the idea of connecting with the local homeschool group. I do believe that word of mouth is probably the best way. Then I will go to the solo and ensembles when they come around to promote meself. The school district here only allows union members on their list of teachers. But there are private schools etc that I hadnt thought of. All great ideas and I will definately utilize them. thanks.

August 18, 2012 at 07:47 PM · Join and perform with a local (volunteer) community orchestra, especially one that gives a regular Family Concert, perhaps with an instrument petting zoo. You will meet other music-oriented families that way, both the other players and the audience members. Sometimes these groups will also have a yearbook or concert programs where you can place low-cost ads that reach your target audience.

August 18, 2012 at 11:41 PM · Our local "general" music store kept a list of private music teachers when I moved here 17 years ago to be closer to our grandchildren. Teachers who signed up and paid the nominal annual fee were listed in appropriate brochures and received substantial discounts on music, accessories, and about 50% off the list price of strings.

I had received similar discounts where I previously lived and taught, but without the teacher-advertising advantage.

Since I had started giving violin lessons here to my oldest granddaughter, who was 6 at the time, I decided to sign up to get the discounts and just see what the advertising would bring in. It brought me up to 8 students per week, which was all I wanted at the time, since I also had another business going. If I had cultivated it, I know I could have doubled the size of my "studio."

Around the year 2000, the music store went on line and listed info on the teachers who had signed up and provided links to the teachers' own web pages as well.

At least several of my students rented or bought instruments from that store, too, so everyone gained. I stopped teaching a few years ago, so I'm no longer signed up.

It is certainly worth seeing if such an opportunity is available where you live.

The store is called "The Magic Flute," and is in San Rafael CA. You can GOOGLE it.

I also posted on the bulletin board in a local grocery store for a while, but that generated no business at all - I don't think anyone read the board unless they were looking for stuff that is now on "Craig's List." Of course - you can post there, too.

Andy

August 19, 2012 at 01:19 PM · @Robert Pait, "The school district here only allows union members on their list of teachers."

That being so, a calculation might be called for by ascertaining the annual cost of union membership, working out how much annual income you may expect to receive from instrumental teaching in the school district, setting the two sums against each other and deciding whether or not such school system teaching would be worth your while.

August 20, 2012 at 04:18 AM · Emily is totally right. Got to find a way to go after the homeschool families.

August 20, 2012 at 05:10 PM · Is there a teacher already in your town? I think it can help to get to know a teacher who is already overrun with students, who needs someone to recommend!

August 20, 2012 at 08:13 PM · Im gonna search out the homeschoolers tommorow. Today I sat in on my sons violin orientation, introduced myself to the teacher and volunteered to help with the classes as a parent volunteer. The music store has a sign on the front door now that advertises my services at thier store, I now get a discount on books and supplies I buy from them. I think this is gonna work out, the economy is still bad though, but I am definately working the word of mouth to the max! Will keep updating as students inquire what method brought in the most for me.

August 22, 2012 at 11:53 PM · 2 new students thanks to the sign in the music store window advertising lessons, Boom! that quick. Now to keep the momentum going!

August 24, 2012 at 08:29 PM · 3rd one from the music store called today. I think partnering with a music store is a winner in my area, as will be partnering with a violin teacher who has no more room for students. The one fiddle teacher I am friends with hasnt referred any students to me.