Episode 23: How to succeed in 2015 as a guitar teacher

About this podcast

This episode looks at what has been changing over the years for guitar teachers and how it impacts you. We will look at how and why you need to change your approach to attract new students in 2015. By the end of this episode you will know exactly what to focus on to win more students this year.

Click the play button below to listen to the episode:

Useful Links and Resources

How to set up a website:

We recommend two options when it comes to setting up your own website. The first option is to set it up yourself with a hosting company. This gives you complete control over your website although it does mean you are completely responsible for every aspect of running and maintaining your website. Here's our step by step tutorial to set up a website through Bluehost.

The other option is to set up a website through us as part of membership. You receive a fully flexible website at no extra cost and the advantage here is that we can help you maintain and improve it. As we know exactly what works for guitar teachers you will be able to apply best practices quickly and easily. Check out our tutorials here to get started.

Website Referral Machine Workshop:

This workshop will walk you through your entire website and give you step-by-step instructions on how to make improvements and implement the most successful strategy we have tested online. We highly recommend every guitar teacher work through this workshop as it can have a dramatic impact on your website's performance. Register here.

Business Fundamentals Course:

Whether you're just starting out as a guitar teacher or have been teaching for decades, it's a good idea to give your business a regular review. This 12 week course will go through every important aspect of your guitar teaching business and share best practices that work today. Enroll here.

Marketing Reports:

The best way to find out if you're on the right track or not from a marketing point of view is to request one of our marketing reports. We currently have three different reports available to analyze different aspects of your guitar teaching business. Our Website Analysis Report will analyze your website and point out any problems or areas you can improve. Our SEO Report will analyze how easily potential students can find you in search engines. Our Social Media Report will analyze how effectively you're using social media to improve your reputation and attract new students.

Our reports take the guesswork out of running your business and provide you will valuable insights and recommendations. Request a report here.

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Episode 22: Selling Your Own Courses - UDemy vs Self Hosting

About this podcast

Selling your own online courses is now easier, cheapest and more popular than ever before. Students want online courses and they're a great way for you to promote yourself as a guitar teacher and earn an additional income.

In this episode you will learn what options you have to create and sell your own courses and how to choose the best option for you.

Click the play button below to listen to the episode:

Useful Links and Resources

Articles about Udemy policy changes:

http://www.planningforfailure.com/post/63542124884/udemy-takes-more-from-instructors-censors-critics

http://www.edukwest.com/udemys-new-commission-structure-50-nothing/

WordPress plugins to self host your own courses:

LearnDash: http://www.learndash.com/ (available for free to Live and Teach Guitar Members who set up a website through us)

WP Courseware: https://flyplugins.com/wp-courseware/

Guide to selling your own course: EXP-03

 

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Episode 21: Productivity Tips for Guitar Teachers

About this podcast

Hate admin work or having to keep track or manage payments? What about managing social media pages? There are a lot of important tasks involved in running a successful guitar teaching business. Improving your productivity skills will help you get them done quicker so you can spend more time on the aspects you enjoy (eg: teaching). This episode will give you some key principles and tips to use to become more productive.

Click the play button below to listen to the episode:

Useful Links and Resources

The brain cannot multitask - great article explaining why multitasking isn't possible. If you currently think you're a good 'multitasker', read this article.

Article discussing batching and the Pomodoro Technique - takes a general look at what is covered in the podcast

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Episode 20: Guitar Teacher Horror Stories: Webinars

About this podcast

In our last episode, we shared a story of a guitar teacher who found out the hard way what you're really giving up when you buy into a franchise. In this episode you will find out why a guitar teacher wasted $600 and four months of time and effort on webinars. Even if you have no interest in webinars, you should listen to this episode as the lessons applies to every guitar teacher.

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Episode 19: Horror Stories: Franchises

About this podcast

The business decisions you make can have dramatic consequences now and into the future. In this episode I'll share a story of a guitar teacher who experienced the rough end of a franchise relationship. While there are many benefits to buying into a franchise, there are many downsides which obviously aren't mentioned by the franchise. Even if you have no interest in franchises this episode contains valuable business lessons.

If you are currently in a franchise, listening to this episode is important to give you the other side of the picture when it comes to franchises.

Click the play button below to listen to the episode:

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Episode 18: How Tests and Experiments Can Help You Succeed

About this podcast

Should you offer a free lesson to new students? Will placing a photo of yourself on your website lead to more students? What should you include on a flyer to get the best responses? In this episode you will learn how to find out the answer to any questions like these. You will find out why you should question conventional wisdom or general advice regarding finding new students or teaching guitar. We highly recommend every guitar teacher apply the principles covered in this episode.

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Episode 17: Worthwhile goals to aim for as a guitar teacher

About this podcast

There are a lot of different ways you can improve your guitar teaching business. Rather than set the usual 'attract more students' goal that almost everybody works towards, consider the goals mentioned in this episode and how they can help you in different ways.

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Useful Resources

Marketing 101 - our comprehensive marketing course will give you the tools and principles you need to succeed with your guitar teaching business.

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Episode 16: 5 Business Principles to Apply To Your Guitar Teaching Business

About this podcast

This episode shares 5 principles or lessons learned from studying business formally and informally. Learn how these principles can make a differencce regardless of your career goals as a guitar teacher. The principles aren't what you would expect so have a listen to find out how they can help you.

If you have ever considered studying business formally, then this episode will explain why the content you are taught in business schools often isn't what you need to succeed in the real world.

Click the play button below to listen to the episode:

Useful Resources

One of the lessons is to learn to write an effective business plan. Read our guide BPL-04 to learn more about business plans then use our Business Plan Tool to generate one yourself.

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Episode 15: Publishing Your Own Content (eg: eBooks, videos, courses)

About this podcast

Creating your own eBooks, courses, videos, podcasts or products is a great way to earn an additional income apart from in-person lessons. This podcast episode will help you figure out how to create the best content possible for your products. You can even use this information to improve the quality of your lessons.

If you plan on writing a book or selling a course, listen to this episode to make sure you start off on the right track.

Click the play button below to listen to the episode:

 

Useful Resources

Guides:

EXP-03 Selling Online Courses

EXP-05 Testing Business Ideas

EXP-07 Creating Your Own Products

EXP-08 Creating an eBook

EXP-09 Starting a Podcast

EXP-11 Creating Physical Products

Courses:

Launching a Product or Service

SWOT Analysis

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Episode 14: Getting started with workshops

About this podcast

Workshops are becoming more and more popular as teachers and students are recognizing their benefits. A massive amount of time and effort is involved with workshops so before you make the big commitment to give one, it's worth understanding the potential benefits, the different workshop formats and what's involved to get started. This episode will give you a basic overview of workshops so you can make an informed decision to start teaching workshops or not.

Click the play button below to listen to the episode:

 

Useful Resources

Guides:

BWK-01 Planning a workshop - will help you plan your topics, format, size and promotion.

BWK-02 In-person workshops - explains in detail how to plan for the workshop's goals, content, pricing and planning.

Online workshop software:

Most platforms suitable for online workshops were designed for large corporations so many of them come with a high monthly cost. If you plan on having regular workshops this is a minor cost, but if you're unsure whether you want to hold regular online workshops or not this can be a very high cost. Fortunately, most have a free trial for 30 days which would give you enough time to try it out and get a feel for online workshops. Here are a few well known platforms to consider:

There are plenty of alternatives but these will give you a good idea of what's currently available.

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