How to Make Money Teaching Music With Eric Branner
We’re diving into some amazing tips on how to make more money as a music teacher, straight from a chat between Carly and Eric Branner. Eric’s a seasoned guitar instructor and the founder of Fons, a payment software for music teachers (which we LOVE). Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your studio, this summary of our conversation is packed with ideas to help you increase your income, become more professional, and truly enjoy a fulfilling career as a music teacher.
You Have Professional Value
One of the first things Eric shares is something so important: believing in your value. Early in his career, a mentor encouraged him to double his rates. I know, that sounds scary, right? But despite his hesitation, the results were mind-blowing—not only did his students stick with him, but he quickly gained a waiting list. His big takeaway? When you raise your rates, not only can you make more money, but you also attract students who are more committed and passionate.
Your time and expertise are super valuable, and your rates should reflect that!
How to Build Confidence in Raising Rates
Let’s be real—when someone says, “just double your rates,” many of us panic a little. Asking for more doesn’t come naturally, especially for music teachers. But Eric has a great strategy: instead of raising rates for your current students, raise them for new ones! So if you're charging $40 per lesson, try charging $70 for new clients. You’ll be surprised—most people will accept the price without batting an eye. The more confident you get, the easier it becomes to see the financial benefits and attract students who value your teaching.
Build Strong Relationships with Students and Families
Eric really emphasizes how important it is to build strong relationships with your students and their families. When they feel connected to you and your teaching, they’re more likely to stick around, recommend you to others, and even pay higher rates. Word-of-mouth referrals are one of the best ways to grow your studio. And guess what? The new students you get from referrals are often the ones who are already excited to work with you!
Relationships are just as important as rates when it comes to growing your business.
Automate Your Business and Save Time
Running a studio isn’t just about teaching—there’s so much admin involved, from managing payments to scheduling lessons. This is where Fonz comes in (and yes, I LOVE Fonz!). Eric’s software automates payments and scheduling, so you can save tons of time and avoid those awkward conversations about money. Plus, it makes you look super professional to your clients since payments are always on time.
Automating your business tasks gives you more time to focus on what you love—teaching!
Why I Love Using Fons for My Studio (and Why You Will, Too)
As a busy music teacher, Fons has seriously been a lifesaver. If you've been following me for a while, you already know I rave about it. Fons is an all-in-one payment and scheduling software designed just for music teachers, and it has made running my studio so much easier.
Here’s why I love it:
Automatic Payments: No more chasing down invoices or worrying about late payments. Fons automates everything, so I get paid on time without any awkwardness.
Effortless Scheduling: The scheduling feature is amazing! My students get reminders, cancellations are handled for me, and I barely have to lift a finger.
More Time to Teach: I spend less than five minutes a week on admin tasks now—leaving me more time to focus on teaching!
Top-Notch Support: The Fons team is always there to help with any questions or customizations I need. They’re amazing.
If you’re tired of juggling admin work, I highly recommend giving Fons a try. It’s transformed how I run my studio, and I know it will do the same for you!
Passion and Gratitude Lead to Success
One of the most inspiring things Eric talks about is how gratitude for his career led him to become an even better teacher. Once he started making a great living teaching guitar, he found himself more energized and passionate about his students, which in turn made him even more successful.
If you’re passionate about what you do and truly believe in the value you bring, success will follow. Eric explains that when you feel fulfilled, that energy radiates out and attracts more committed students.
Passion and gratitude are contagious—when you feel fulfilled, your students will, too.
Making the Switch to Online Teaching
When the pandemic hit, Eric had to move his entire studio online—and it ended up completely changing how he thinks about teaching. At first, he was skeptical, but after teaching online for a while, he realized how much time it saved and how convenient it was for both him and his students.
Now, Eric teaches fully online and loves it. If you’ve been hesitant about making the switch, he encourages you to embrace the flexibility and opportunities that online teaching can offer. Plus, it opens up the potential for you to expand your studio beyond your local area and attract students from all over the world.
Online teaching is here to stay, and it offers so much flexibility and growth for your studio.
The Power of Mentorship
Both Carly and Eric talk about how important it is to have mentors to guide you as a music teacher. A mentor can encourage you, show you how to grow your business, and help you stay focused on your long-term goals. If you’re serious about making more money as a music teacher, finding a mentor or joining a supportive community like Teach Music Online can make all the difference.
Speaking of mentorship…
If you’re feeling inspired by all these tips and you're ready to really grow your studio, it’s time to get the mentorship and support you deserve! Join the Teach Music Online membership and surround yourself with a community of music teachers who are scaling their businesses, just like you. With access to expert guidance, online teaching certification, and monthly live group sessions, you'll have everything you need to increase your income, streamline your studio, and love what you do even more.
Don’t go it alone! Come join hundreds of other teachers who are building thriving, successful studios with the help of Teach Music Online.
Don’t go it alone—mentorship and community are key to growing your business.
Here’s what you need to make more money as a music teacher
At the end of the day, being passionate about music is your greatest asset—but it’s also essential to approach your studio as a business if you want to succeed financially. By raising your rates, building strong relationships, automating your admin tasks, and embracing both in-person and online teaching, you can create a thriving and sustainable music studio.
If you want more guidance on how to make money teaching music, explore the strategies mentioned in this blog, and consider joining the Teach Music Online membership for even more tips, mentorship, and support.
Ready to take the next step? Sign up for your free trial with Fons today and start automating your studio for success!
Happy teaching!