I sell handmade and home grown things-herbs, fruits & vegetables, baked goods, soaps, crafted items, etc. I also give music and cooking lessons and do landscaping at a rich lady's house. Jack of all trades, master at nothing. :) It seems to be working pretty well for me so far.

typically busy Catholics!  

To those unemployed - I will remember you now and each day in my prayers.  I promise.

Quote from: jen51

I sell handmade and home grown things-herbs, fruits & vegetables, baked goods, soaps, crafted items, etc. I also give music and cooking lessons and do landscaping at a rich lady's house. Jack of all trades, master at nothing. :) It seems to be working pretty well for me so far.

I've been thinking about giving music lessons. How did you find students, and does competence suffice or do people look for degrees or certifications?

Competence will suffice. Especially if you live in a rural area. I live in a town of 900 people and nobody offered piano lessons until I moved to town. I told a few people around town that I was doing it, it spread by word of mouth and within a few days I had the amount of students I wanted and turned the rest down. One of the many joys of small town life.
When I lived in a larger town I got students a number of ways. Word of mouth, of course, but I also gave my name and contact info to local music stores and posted little signs on bulletin boards in stores. I had students lickety split.

I don't have a degree in music, but I did go to college for that and ended up quitting, so I guess I am a half way "educated" music teacher. But truly, I don't think it calls for any professional qualifications. If you're in an area where you will be competing with classically trained musicians,  I'd look around to see what they're charging (an arm and a leg I'm sure) and charge a fair amount less. You'll still be turning a nice profit, and your price will attract the families who want to give their kids an opportunity to learn music but can't afford it otherwise. It's ok to be open and honest about your qualifications in comparison to the other teachers around, it's never hurt me. None of my students have the goal of being on the fast track to Carnegie Hall. My skills have been sufficient so far. The parents pushing their kids to be great performers will generally make sure they are learning from the "best of the best" and aren't afraid to pay for it. I don't know if I'd accept that kind of student anyway!! Too much pressure!! Most potential customers are just happy that you know more than they do and are willing to teach them.

Go for it!!

Quote from: Guest

Quote from: jen51

I sell handmade and home grown things-herbs, fruits & vegetables, baked goods, soaps, crafted items, etc. I also give music and cooking lessons and do landscaping at a rich lady's house. Jack of all trades, master at nothing. :) It seems to be working pretty well for me so far.

I've been thinking about giving music lessons. How did you find students, and does competence suffice or do people look for degrees or certifications?

Competence will suffice. Especially if you live in a rural area. I live in a town of 900 people and nobody offered piano lessons until I moved to town. I told a few people around town that I was doing it, it spread by word of mouth and within a few days I had the amount of students I wanted and turned the rest down. One of the many joys of small town life.
When I lived in a larger town I got students a number of ways. Word of mouth, of course, but I also gave my name and contact info to local music stores and posted little signs on bulletin boards in stores. I had students lickety split.

I don't have a degree in music, but I did go to college for that and ended up quitting, so I guess I am a half way "educated" music teacher. But truly, I don't think it calls for any professional qualifications. If you're in an area where you will be competing with classically trained musicians,  I'd look around to see what they're charging (an arm and a leg I'm sure) and charge a fair amount less. You'll still be turning a nice profit, and your price will attract the families who want to give their kids an opportunity to learn music but can't afford it otherwise. It's ok to be open and honest about your qualifications in comparison to the other teachers around, it's never hurt me. None of my students have the goal of being on the fast track to Carnegie Hall. My skills have been sufficient so far. The parents pushing their kids to be great performers will generally make sure they are learning from the "best of the best" and aren't afraid to pay for it. I don't know if I'd accept that kind of student anyway!! Too much pressure!! Most potential customers are just happy that you know more than they do and are willing to teach them.

Go for it!!

Thanks Jen! Yet another reason to move out of the city!