This is crazy!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
This is crazy!!
4
Tue, 11-24-2009 - 8:41am

You know how a few weeks ago I posted about how I wanted more piano students but I had never advertised and didn't quite know how to go about getting them? Well, I just booked another new student without even trying! A lady from my old church found my email address from someone and emailed me about lessons. We're starting after Christmas. This is on top of the other new student I just booked who got ahold of me out of the blue because she's friends with one of my current piano students. Every student I've ever had has been through word of mouth. That really makes my life easier! So now my Mondays are booked, my Tuesdays are booked, Wednesdays are open and I have 1-2 more slots that I could fill on Thursday although I already have 2 people interested.

ANNNNNNNND...I raised my prices for new students. From $18 - $20 for a half hour lesson. I got to thinking that people pretty much expect to spend $20 dollars for a piano lesson. It's the going rate around here for lessons. I've always tried to be a little cheaper but why? If people are willing to pay $20 dollars, then why sell myself short? I still have 4 students paying $15 dollars for a lesson. They have it good! They've been with me for years though. I feel bad jumping up their lessons by a couple dollars, let alone 5!

I've also changed my attitude about lessons a little. I used to trudge along thinking how much I'd rather be home with my kids during that time. But I've been thinking lately how lucky I am. I get to stay home with my 2 year old, I have a very flexible schedule so if something special comes up then my students have no problems canceling lessons. I make $350 dollars a week ($220 of that is piano money which I still have to pay taxes on) working 16 hours a week with my Fridays and Saturdays completely off.

Yes, my husband still gets kind of grumpy with me when he gets home from a brutal day at work and I leave him with 3 kids and dinner to make, but it's a glass half full kind of thing! And yesterday I actually made dinner for him before I left. That would go a long way towards making him more cheerful!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
Tue, 11-24-2009 - 1:03pm

It is fantastic you are so upbeat about things! You deserve all this Abby, Congrats!


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2005
Tue, 11-24-2009 - 1:36pm
That's great Abbie.
Wedding
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2009
Tue, 11-24-2009 - 9:58pm

Abbie...I love your spin on things


20 dollars is still dirt cheap....NEVER SELL YOURSELF SHORT...


I feel you should be charging at least 25-27 with your valuable servide....


Duke

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Wed, 11-25-2009 - 11:20am

Yes, that is pretty good Abby, you are making about $40 an hour on your new students, a pretty good wage!

If I were in your shoes I probably would make the dinners every night or at least most of it for your DH. I put the crock pot on when I do work evenings as I never know when DH will have to get a call for a work issue and have to be working from home to solve a problem. Also the kids have funky schedules due to sports, so they might come home and need to eat before going back to school for a game or practice. Having dinner ready for them helps everyone out. I just wish I was home during the day to do it!

-Marie