How to Find Students

When you start your own teaching business you firstly have to attract people to use the business in order to make it viable. So how do you find students? There are many great ways to advertise your business both in person and online these days which can attract students to use your service and hopefully return week after week. Let's look at a few key options.

1. Posting Ads in Local Listings

Whereever you live, you probably have some sort of local listings. These often take the form of a website such as Gumtree or a physical product like local newspapers/magazines/newsletters which have sections for local businesses to run ads. I would recommend posting your business details in as many of these places as you possibly can. Some may charge a small fee,  you have to weigh that up against their readership numbers to see if you think you'll get a return on that investment. You could also look into physical advertising like leaflets/posters and distribute these around some local community centres and other public places.

2. Social Media

Get yourself a business page on Facebook and Instagram. Use Facebook to post news updates on your business such as exciting updates and offers you might be running. Instagram is a great photo and video platform where you can share pictures and videos releating to your business such as videos of you playing a piece that demonstrate to potential students what level you're at as a musician.

3. A Website

Build a website using a free service provider such as Wordpress or Wix and make it look professional. Don't worry if you're not a web designer, these companies have simple workflows that mean anyone can build a professional and functional website with no experience. You want your website to act as your central hub for potential customers. It should contain all the information that someone would need about your business aswell as links to  contact you via email, phone and social media. Spend time understanding SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) as this will greatly increase your websites  chances of ranking higher in local searches.

4. Online Teacher Databases

There are many companies such as mgrmusic.com who offer teachers the ability to register for an online database where they will be listed ready to be paired with students. If a student goes onto a website like this and types in that they are looking for a singing teacher in Norwich, they will find a page dedicated to that teacher with the option to contact them. As a teacher yourself you could see this as a third party advertising on your behalf to help you find students.

5. Word of Mouth

The best reviews you can get for your business as the ones that people deliver themselves to others. If you do a good job with a student then don't be afraid to ask them to tell their friends about you if they hear of anyone looking for a teacher. This is especially true of younger students where parents are very likely to share information on good services received. If you have a Facebook page, or a website with a reviews section, ask your students to leave reviews. This will also boost your potential interest from other students. If people see others getting a good experience, they are likely to follow too.