Simpedia

Laurie Richards, Nebraska

I also homeschool my kids and teach SM part time. I have around 55 students and spend approx. 13 hours/week actual teaching time. I recently merged a few groups which resulted in two class openings, so I could handle another 10-14 students. I spend several hours a week on administrative stuff, communication, preparation, and education as well – probably more than I need to, but it’s my passion and I love every aspect of it.

Carrie L. Michigan

I have 44 students. Some are on a bi-weekly basis as adults, but that has worked for me as well as then. I teach Monday-Thursday afternoon/evening with a break in there somewhere and Tuesday and Wed. morning I fit in about six students. I have three-four slots left.. I usually just teach in shared lessons of two as that has worked best for me.

I’m going to start some homeschoolers next week on Thursday morning at their co-op location so I’m hoping to do some larger shared lessons for a couple hours there to maximize the time.

Victoria S. California

I currently have 16 students (it dipped to 13 and then back up again), but I would like to teach a lot more in groups, of course.

I am curious how long it is taking people to build their studios. This is my sixth month teaching.

Amber B. USA

I just started in September and have 19 students. I work seven hours a week. Five started last week and are in one of two groups.

Four of these students came from a PTA presentation I gave just last month where I showed the testimonial video. All of the new students are six years old. The other student came from a Saturday get-lessons-now hit. The mother said it was my quick response that made her pick me and the fact that I was the first hit for piano teacher in my town. She brought her son to his first shared lesson the following Friday, after rushing her to start that week. As a thank you for starting, I mounted the practice pad on self stick foam board for $5 at Kinko’s. Kinko’s does it by machine and it turns out perfect every time. I immediately signed up to continue advertising on the get-lessons-now website for $49.99.

I have five sets of siblings and mixed shared and private lessons. My youngest is four yrs.+ and takes lessons with her five yrs.+ brother, I met them while displaying at a mom2mom sale. I have a mother and college student who are taking lessons together and having a great time. Included in my 19 are four 2xs a month students. My goal is to put these sibling, part-time students on opposite weeks or on the same night.

I took a stand on starting students who did not start by the first full week in January. I have to travel in January and February for vacations/ day job and wanted to give students enough momentum to skip a week while I was away.

I had an inquiry, yesterday and explained that new students could start in March and that a FIS would be held the last week of February. In the Fall, I let anyone start when they wanted and it was hard to form shared lessons. Now that I am more confident I can take the risk to give the student a better experience.

Initially, I gave a 20% discount the first month and a second family member a 25% discount. I have since dropped the first month discount.

Many of my children’s friends know I teach and they were my first students. I pay my own kids a $10 commission if they help me get a student. I have given away a free month of lessons and materials at silent auctions. Out of two auctions nobody called me to redeem the gift certificate. One gift certificate went for $40. I include the materials only after they set up lessons so I am only out a brochure, gift certificate, and business card and the organization benefits.

I got a student on voting day by handing out brochures. This is illegal but before they caught me I was able to meet a future student.

Everyday is an opportunity!

Elaine F.

It took me three years to get to 24 students. I live in an area with population about 18,000.

Elaine F. Canada

I’ve been teaching for about two years and I have about 32 students.