Thursday, August 10, 2017
Friday, August 4, 2017
Where to Teach, pt. V – The Home Studio
In the last several posts I have discussed places to teach guitar lessons and the pros and cons of working in each environment. One of the most popular places people teach from is their home; while on the surface it may sound ideal keep in mind there are positives and negatives.
Teaching from home is a wonderful situation that many enjoy, but it means establishing a dedicated space to teach from. If you plan to conduct lessons from home creating a professional working area is a must – sorry no lessons at the kitchen table!
As an aside, if you are teaching young students and teenagers make it a general rule that parents must sit in and watch the lesson. This will help cut down on any messing around by younger students, keep students accountable for their lesson material and make parents’ part of the learning process.
Have I missed anything? Please feel free to comment!
Teaching from home is a wonderful situation that many enjoy, but it means establishing a dedicated space to teach from. If you plan to conduct lessons from home creating a professional working area is a must – sorry no lessons at the kitchen table!
Here are some of the pros you can expect when working from home:
1. Payment: You set the lesson rate, payment schedule (monthly, weekly), keep the full amount of each lesson and collect the funds. Some people are shy about asking for payment - you can't afford to be.
2. Schedule: The schedule of what days to teach and for how many hours is determined by you.
3. Tax write-off’s: When operating a home based business you are entitled to tax deductions. These deductions range from office space to supplies, so keep those receipts!
1. Payment: You set the lesson rate, payment schedule (monthly, weekly), keep the full amount of each lesson and collect the funds. Some people are shy about asking for payment - you can't afford to be.
2. Schedule: The schedule of what days to teach and for how many hours is determined by you.
3. Tax write-off’s: When operating a home based business you are entitled to tax deductions. These deductions range from office space to supplies, so keep those receipts!
However, let’s not forget there are cons as well:
1. Strangers: There will people you do not know coming into your home and you’ll have to be ok with that.
2. Keep it clean: Your home studio will need to be clean and organized to set the stage for a professional learning environment.
3. Rules and Procedures: You will need to set-up clear rules and procedures for lesson payment, cancellations and make-ups.
4. Advertising: Whether you rely on word of mouth or advertise in a community newsletter attracting new students is solely your responsibility .
1. Strangers: There will people you do not know coming into your home and you’ll have to be ok with that.
2. Keep it clean: Your home studio will need to be clean and organized to set the stage for a professional learning environment.
3. Rules and Procedures: You will need to set-up clear rules and procedures for lesson payment, cancellations and make-ups.
4. Advertising: Whether you rely on word of mouth or advertise in a community newsletter attracting new students is solely your responsibility .
5. Insurance: It is always a good idea to have insurance just in case someone slips and falls in your home; remember we live in a very litigious society.
6. Accounting: You will be solely responsible for keeping track of how much money is made and what your expenses are.
7. Taxes: Uncle Sam is going to want his share so make sure you are setting money aside to pay the government. You may wish to set up quarterly payments with the IRS if you are self-employed. 6. Accounting: You will be solely responsible for keeping track of how much money is made and what your expenses are.
As an aside, if you are teaching young students and teenagers make it a general rule that parents must sit in and watch the lesson. This will help cut down on any messing around by younger students, keep students accountable for their lesson material and make parents’ part of the learning process.
Have I missed anything? Please feel free to comment!
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