Music Studio Startup: Helping music teachers thrive as entrepreneurs

In today’s solo episode, I share a framework for thinking about when and how to reopen your studio for in-person lessons during the COVID pandemic.

A full transcript and list of resources for this episode can be found at musicstudiostartup.com/Episode042

Don’t forget - applications for the $500 studio launch grant are due this Sunday, May 31. Details can be found at musicstudiostartup.com/grant2020

The summer Business Building program starts on June 15. More info can be found at musicstudiostartup.com/summer2020

When we think of graphic design for a music studio, we might first think of logos. That’s definitely a start, but today I’m talking to graphic designer Gillian Miller about how developing a more holistic brand identity can help build a studio.

If you’ve ever felt undervalued as a professional or just want to elevate your career, this is definitely a topic to think about.

For a full transcript of this episode, visit musicstudiostartup.com/episode041

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[$500 Music Studio Launch Grant]

Don’t forget! The deadline for the studio grant is May 31. Visit musicstudiostartup.com/grant2020 for details and to apply.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Fons and GEM Studios for their contributions to the competition.

[Business Building Program]

Get your studio set up for growth and sustainability in this 12-week program. musicstudiostartup.com/summer2020

[Vision & Values course] This free course can help you take the first steps to guide your brand identity. Enroll at musicstudiostartup.com/vision

In this episode, I share some details about the Music Studio Startup summer Business Building program and the grant competition for new (and new-ish) music teachers!

My guest today is Eric Branner, a guitar teacher, mentor, and a co-founder of Fons, an online scheduling and billing platform.

If you’ve been listening to Music Studio Startup for a while, you may have heard this interview with Eric before, but I wanted to bring it back because 1) Eric is awesome and 2) because Fons is a sponsor for our studio grant competition! They’re huge supporters of music teachers and they’re setting up our grand prize winner with a 6-month Fons subscription.

For a full transcript of this episode, visit musicstudiostartup.com/episode040

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Business Builders program: musicstudiostartup.com/summer2020

Grant competition: musicstudiostartup.com/grant2020

I’ve got two SUPER exciting announcements. Listen in to hear about two Music Studio Startup programs that will help you build your studio this summer. One involves an epic prize package, including a $500 cash grant!

2020 Summer Business Building Program

2020 Music Studio Startup Grant

In today’s conversation, we get to hear from the owner of a relatively new music school. We’re talking about the very earliest stages of building a music school and some of the practical steps Joseph has taken to finance his studio’s growth. We also talk about Facebook ads and conversion rates and all the fun stuff.

For a full transcript of this episode, visit musicstudiostartup.com/episode039

To get updates on the finance course, check out musicstudiostartup.com/finance

Today is part two of my conversation with David Barnard. Last week, in Episode 037, David joined us to talk about the music cooperative as a business model that is helping teachers build sustainable studios by joining together.

Today David’s talking about how to form a cooperative. Some of our discussion applies specifically to coops, but a lot of our discussion centers around how to write a business plan, which is a great exercise for any teacher no matter what business model you’re using.

For a full transcript of this episode, visit musicstudiostartup.com/episode038

For updates on the Finance course, visit musicstudiostartup.com/finance

Today’s guest comes to us from the UK to talk about another business model that is helping teachers make a sustainable living: the music-co-operative.

David Barnard of the Musicians' Union describes the culture shock teachers felt when the jobs they expected to always be there, suddenly disappeared, forcing them to become more independent and entrepreneurial.

Just a heads up, business culture and regulations are different around the world. The way the UK music co-ops handle lesson fees might not work where you live. Here in the US, the Federal Trade Commission would consider this price fixing a violation of antitrust laws.

With that disclaimer, you’re still going to get a ton of great takeaways about co-ops that you could apply in an American context.

For a full transcript of this episode, visit musicstudiostartup.com/transcriptepisode037

FREE Course:

Vision & Values: A Studio Owner's Guide to Finding Focus in a World Full of Options

www.musicstudiostartup.com/vision

Last week the U.S. Congress passed the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history and it has a lot to offer individuals and small businesses.

In today’s podcast, Scott Stratton, a financial advisor and a musician himself, breaks down the components of the CARES Act that impact music teachers and studio owners and tells us our next steps.

Check out the show notes at musicstudiostartup.com/episode036 to get links to the applications and articles Scott mentioned.

For a full transcript of this episode, visit musicstudiostartup.com/episode036

To register for the Vision & Values course, visit musicstudiostartup.com/vision

Today I’m joined by TWO very special guests who are experts in pretty much every aspect of running a studio. We’re doing a rapid fire interview where I ask them to share their advice on some of the questions I get asked most frequently.

For full show notes, visit musicstudiostartup.com/episode035

To register for the Vision & Values course, visit musicstudiostartup.com/vision

Happy April Fool's Day!

Today I’m joined again by Steve Hughes. Last week, in Episode 033, Steve shared the story of how he transitioned his studio from in-person lessons to a completely virtual studio. Today he’s back to talk about the nuts and bolts of teaching online.

Steve describes the technology requirements for a “basic” online studio, an “enhanced” studio, and an “optimal” studio, depending on the level of investment that makes sense for your business.

Steve also addresses the “limitations” some teachers feel when they initially try online lessons and he talks about how we can lean into the unique strengths of online lessons and take advantage of unique teaching strategies only possible through online teaching.

To hear about Steve’s studio, check out musicstudiostartup.com/episode033

For a full transcript of this episode, visit musicstudiostartup.com/episode034

To register for the Vision & Values course, visit musicstudiostartup.com/vision