A guest post by accountant, bassoonist, and piano teacher, Tairsa Mathews To make your accountant VERY happy and your life easier at tax season, I would highly recommend having a bank account that is 100% for your business. You can have an actual business account and write checks from your business name if you choose […]
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Policies, downloadable forms, and ideas
Business Write-offs
A guest post by accountant, bassoonist, and piano teacher, Tairsa Mathews This is my favorite topic! When you buy things for your business, you get to write them off!! This means every time you purchase music, every time you service your instrument, when you buy rewards/prizes for your students, etc., you can write them off […]
Continue readingMore TagFree Studio Calendar Template
Have you created your studio calendar for the 2016–2017 school year? I made mine using Diane Hidy’s very useful template. You can find the template here. This is the studio calendar I made in about 20 minutes using her template. It is easy to use, gets all the dates right, and it’s free. The version […]
Continue readingMore TagStudents who don’t practice
Students who don’t practice can be very frustrating for a teacher. I feel that there are two equally appropriate ways to approach these students: Drop them Embrace what they do bring to each lesson Dropping Students There are many reasons to drop a student. This post isn’t about dropping a student for failure to pay or […]
Continue readingMore TagHow to Write a Studio Policy
A studio policy is essential. It sets expectations for both you and your students. It acts as an authority you can reference when conflict arises between you and a student/parent. It can protect you in certain legal matters. And most importantly, it helps you the teacher decide how you really want your studio to run. […]
Continue readingMore TagMakeup Lessons—Friend or Foe?
If you have switched to the monthly tuition model for charging students, then you will have to decide what to do about missed lessons. It’s a complicated issue, so I will highlight five ideas that have worked in my studio and others. Do whatever feels fair for both you and your students. My own makeup policy […]
Continue readingMore TagBartering and the Bassoon Teacher
Bartering is a common and accepted way for you to receive compensation for teaching lessons. It’s so mainstream that even the IRS provides a space for you to report bartering transactions on your taxes. So how do you know if a bartering arrangement is right for you? Figure out what your needs really are Don’t […]
Continue readingMore TagManaging a Music Lending Library
There is a way to loan music to students without saying goodbye to it forever. I use a combination of a personalized stamp, personalized stickers, and a very handy app (Who Has What 2) to keep track of my stuff. I also have a built-in reimbursement program should my items never return. More about that […]
Continue readingMore TagSimplify Your Studio – Charge a Materials Fee
Do your students buy their own music? Do you wait weeks for them to actually order it? Do you buy it for them? Do you wait weeks for them to pay you back? Are you frustrated with the time and energy this takes from you? The two best policy changes I ever made were moving […]
Continue readingMore TagWhy Monthly Tuition is the Way to Go
In 2013 I switched from charging a per lesson fee to charging a monthly tuition fee. I am so glad that I did. Here are my favorite things about the monthly tuition system: I can budget based on a fixed monthly amount I can build in paid holidays and sick days if I want to […]
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