How To Start A Music Teaching Business Built For Success

Discover how our software can help your studio.

Some people are born with music in their soul! Whether you sing, play piano, or write music, it’s a special passion. If you’re ready to turn your love of music into a full-time career, you may be thinking of opening your own studio. Fortunately, there’s never been a better time. Parents are constantly searching for new ways to keep their kids learning, and music is a constructive activity with endless benefits. If you’re wondering how to start a music teaching business, this is the place to start.

Begin With A Music Teacher Business Plan

A detailed business plan serves as a roadmap for your new business. As the Small Business Administration points out, there is no right or wrong way to write this document. Some are dozens of pages, while others provide a brief run-down that can serve as the foundation of a business.

Once your business plan is complete, keep it on record in both digital and paper format. This will be important to refer back to if you plan to bring on a business partner or if you ever need additional funding.

If you’re feeling nervous about how to start a music teaching business, completing a business plan can help you clarify your goals, do some research, and explore ideas. It doesn’t have to be perfect, and you can revise it as needed.

H3: What to include in your music teacher business plan

If you prefer to go the traditional route, here are important sections to include in your music teacher business plan:

Executive summary: A brief description of your goals and values, such as a mission statement. This section should also establish the type of legal business you intend to form.
Company description: Provide details about your music school, such as class offerings and any other services and products you will provide. Expand on the ages you plan to teach and whether you’ll provide in-person or online classes.
Market analysis: Discuss the industry and what the competition is like in the area. What do successful competitors do? How do you plan to set yourself apart?
Financial projections: How much revenue do you need in order to cover your bills? Estimate how many students you’ll need to enroll in order to be successful. This is also a good place to detail whether you will have a bank loan in place to start your business.
Marketing plan: From social media pages to newspaper ads, develop a plan for marketing. Break down the cost of different strategies in order to plan accordingly.

Get Your Studio Up and Running

First and foremost, you need the perfect space to be the home of your music business. Determine how much space you need, whether you want multiple private rooms, and how much it would cost to rent vs. buy. Consider additional needs such as a front desk, waiting room, bathrooms, storage areas, and office space. You should also think about parking availability and visibility for passive marketing.

Once you’re in your space, it’s time to purchase all of the necessary equipment. You’ll need instruments, music stands, and sheet music. Consider buying used items to save money in these early days of opening your studio!

When determining how to start a music teaching business, remember that you don’t have to go it alone. Think about hiring the staff you need. An office or front desk manager and another music teacher can provide you with valuable support as you’re getting your business off the ground. Likewise, invest in music studio software to streamline everything from registration to billing.

How to Start an Online Music Teaching Business

There is no denying that in-person classes are beneficial for learning music, but there is also increasing demand for remote opportunities. The good news is, you don’t have to choose one or the other.

Here’s how to start an online music teaching business (or add this to your class offerings):

Choose a platform: While Zoom is the most popular option, Facetime and Google Meet are other forms of video conferencing. Hot tip: Studio Director customers receive a Zoom discount!
Get the right equipment: Most laptops come with a web camera and built-in microphone, but make sure you and your students have any other necessary equipment. Consider sheet music, headphones, and related accessories.
Explore creative teaching options: From guest speakers to sight reading apps, there are so many ways to make online instruction creative. Check out our post about the best music apps for teachers.

No matter how you approach online teaching, it’s worth the time and investment. Set a practice plan for your students and watch them improve each time you log on for a session!

How to Promote Your Music Teaching Business

First and foremost, start with a professional website that clearly provides important information about your studio. Students and parents will want to know where you’re located, what classes you offer (online and off), and how to get in touch with questions.

Having your website up and running will come in handy as you prepare other marketing materials. These may include:

Social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
Mailers to send out to your network of contacts
Flyers to post on local community boards
Ads in local newspapers or magazines

After you have everything up and running, consider hosting an open house or a series of workshops. This gets people in the door to see exactly what you have to offer! Don’t shy away from any opportunity to spread the word about your new business.

Make Time to Enjoy the Music

When you think about how to start a music teaching business, your mind probably goes to lesson plans and recitals. While this is probably your priority, there are administrative tasks that are necessary to your success. Studio Director offers music studio management software that can help the office side of your business run smoothly.

Here are a few perks of using software to help run your business: