There are several steps you can take to improve the way you promote yourself and your teaching practice. 

Identifying your audience 

Thinking about the people who may be interested in taking your lessons (your audience), and how and where you’re speaking to them (your messaging), can help you grow your business or expand it in new directions. 

Developing your brand 

You may be wary of the word ‘brand’, but you can just think of it as ‘personality’ – it’s the way you want to present your business to the world. Consistency is key - you want to make sure all the elements of your promotional material, from posters to your website, have a similar look and feel. This will help you come across as professional and authentic, as well as giving an indication of what your approach or style is.

Website 

Your website is your ‘shop window’ - it should reflect you and your business in the most professional way possible. Use your website to put potential pupils’ (or their parents/carers) minds at rest, and help them choose you with confidence. There are many options out there for setting up an affordable website to promote your teaching practice. ISM members can access discounts on website design services. On your website, use a biography, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and testimonials from current pupils to tell your story for you; this will also allow you to highlight your strengths and unique selling points. Improve your website’s ranking in Google and other search engines by learning how to write effectively for the web. There is a lot of free advice online to help you. Ensuring that the information on your website is clear, accurate and up-to-date will help optimise your website so that it can be found easily by search engines. Look into Google’s ‘My Business’ profile – the short information snippets that come up when you search for a service – and make sure yours is up to date. Consider using search engine advertising to draw attention to your website.

Social media 

Being active on multiple social media platforms isn’t essential for music teachers, but social media can be an effective marketing tool. Set yourself up on your chosen platforms with a different profile to your personal one. Be careful to make sure that there is nothing on your public profiles which you would not want a prospective client or pupil to see. If you can, use the same picture and name, or ‘handle’, on each platform for consistency. Add key information and links, such as your website, to your bio. Remember to keep your social media pages up to date. ISM members can contact the ISM membership team for support with marketing and promotion. The ISM Trust also offers free webinars to help musicians improve their business and marketing skills.

Where to look for work 

If you plan to teach in a school, you should contact local music hubs, services and schools (particularly independent schools) directly. Make an appointment to see the head of the music hub and perhaps Heads of Music at local schools. Send them your CV, so that they have this on file should they have work for you in the future. Make sure your CV is professionally presented and current.

Websites where music teaching vacancies are advertised include: 

  • Rhinegold Jobs 
  • Education Jobs 
  • Guardian Jobs 
  • Arts Jobs 
  • Music Jobs 
  • Musical Chairs 
  • Music Mark 
  • TES

Networking

Network as much as possible. Personal recommendation is often a good way to obtain work, especially for private teachers. 

ISM Music Directory 

The ISM Music Directory is the UK’s only online directory of musicians and music teachers with verified professional credentials. ISM members can use this to promote themselves to the public for free. Remember to keep your profile up to date. 

This advice has been written for teachers in the UK. If you live outside of the UK, please refer to your local organisations for advice. Visit ism.org for more information. 


Last modified: Monday, 25 March 2024, 8:56 AM