You're tight on money this month and your conversation with the electric company goes something like this: “You can’t pay your electric bill this month? No problem. You’ve been a loyal customer for three months now, so just mail us a check when you can.” Yeah, right! What utility company would operate their business with a ‘pay when you can’ standard? It's just not going to happen. Businesses that succeed have good business practices, including timely collection of payments from clients. So, if you’re hearing something like this from your clients … “Oh, sorry. I’ll bring you a check next week. I forgot it.” “We won’t be here next week, so can you adjust our bill?” “Would you be willing to barter for [fill in the blank]?” … you can make some simple changes to get paid consistently and on time – every time!
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Are you frustrated by multiple absences, cancellations, and even no-shows? Do you wish students would take their private lessons more seriously and be more considerate of your time? When I first started teaching, I drove to clients’ homes to teach students private piano and flute lessons. Occasionally, I would show up and no one would be home! Or, I would receive a phone call (the day before, if I was lucky), saying that they needed to cancel (often from the same student multiple times). This meant I would have to sit in my car for 45 minutes, waiting until it was time to drive to the next students’ home. How annoying! It also resulted in inconsistent income – and that’s really a bummer! Now, I understand that things come up. Life happens to all of us! But, wouldn’t it be great to have a 99% attendance rate? Out of 881 lessons taught during the 2018–2019 school year, there were 53 absences (94% attendance rate). However, I only taught 2 make-ups for any of those absences. How many make-ups did you teach? Building my professional music studio took time and effort. There were some risks involved and occasional setbacks. Some days are filled with discouraging phone calls, difficult parents, or obstinate students. But most of the time, I am graced with lots of smiles and thank you’s. I became my own boss, work the hours I determined are right for me, and teach students that want to learn, all in an environment that I created. It was definitely worth it! "When you’re in business for yourself, you write your own history, you write your own success story, you write your own legacy and most important, you write your own paycheck. Being in business for yourself gives you the opportunity to work your heart out for something you love.” If you are getting ready to start your music teaching business or feel the need for a step up from where you are, here are some ideas to help you reach the next level.
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About ClaraEntrepreneur, music educator, wife, and mom of two Archives
December 2019
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