Have you always wanted to be a music teacher, but don’t know where to start? If you have the talent and a love of teaching, this may be the job for you.
Initial considerations
You should decide whether you want to freelance in a school or go to people’s houses, and whether you want to gain a qualification such as a Certificate for Music Educators. Here is a guide to starting out in the business:
Steps to success
1. Write a business plan to consider all the financial implications of your proposed business. This will help you to decide the hourly rate you should charge, with most teachers charging between £26 and £36 per hour. This could include new instruments, music paper or if your planning to hold your lessons in your garage or outbuilding you may need to look at a Garage Door Repair company at sites such as garagedoorsrus.co.uk/garage-door-repairs/. This will need to be done in advance so the work is not being done while your students play.
- Join any relevant groups in the areas that will help you to set up your business. Advice from people who have set up their own business will be helpful for you when avoiding the pitfalls. Join the Musicians’ Union for support from your peers.
3. When becoming self-employed, you must make sure that you have registered with HMRC. This is a legal obligation, even if you have other employment. Alternatively, you could set up as a limited company, which will require an upfront fee for registration.
4. For working with members of the public, especially in their own homes, it is essential you have a basic DBS check.
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Make sure you have the correct insurance in place before you start. You will need public liability insurance to protect you from claims of injury and damage when travelling to people’s homes, or indeed inviting them to your home. Business insurance is also an excellent idea to ensure you are fully protected when starting out.
6. Promote your services. As technology has changed the way we accumulate information, the best way to reach people is to do it online. Online platforms and marketplaces are a much cheaper way of gaining customers than more traditional methods. You will reach many people through online channels, as many people use the internet for commerce.
7. Pay your taxes. Remember to keep a record of your earnings and outgoings for tax purposes. Use an accounting programme for small businesses to help keep you on track.
