Which of these most closely aligns with the vision you have for your business and your life?
Do you dream of your own light filled studio filled with the energy of aspiring students? Where you can make your art, sell your products and that serve as a home base for your business? Artists like Alena Hennesey, Donna Downey and Kelly Rae Roberts have such studios where they build real-life artistic community. You might choose this path if you want physical space to make your art, sell your art and teach + have control over when and what you teach.
The financial upside: You have the opportunity to offer as many classes as you want each month on whatever topics that you choose. You can have guest teachers, partner with other artists to rent space from you or have a co-op store within your space that helps pay the overhead.
Would you rather travel and spread your creative light world-wide? You can make a successful living and fund your travel this way. You can teach nationally or internationally if that is the way your heart leans. Artists like Tracy Verdugo and Flora Bowley support their passion and their wanderlust through teaching in drool-worthy locations like Bali, Italy, France, Greece, Australia...you might choose this path if you don't mind being away from home for long stretches of time, or maybe you opt for an annual retreat in another country.
The financial upside: Getting paid to travel. Exchange rates in other countries may make venues and accommodations much lower than in the US. You can charge higher rates for an extended class in a desirable locale.
If you prefer staying closer to home, a great way to get started teaching is right in your own community (or even your home!) In person classes are a perfect way to dip your toe in the water, practice your content and delivery and get immediate feedback from your students. Many of the students in my classes say they prefer hands-on learning from a real person who can show them exactly what to do. They don't have to watch a video and then try and figure it out for themselves. Another bonus is a limited investment for students-they don't have to go out and buy all of the tools and equipment before they even know if they like something.
The financial upside-Keep overhead low by utilizing community spaces such as library's, cafes, boutiques and community centers. You don't have to make rent, pay utilities of have the lawn mowed and driveway plowed.
Rather teach from your pajamas? Online teaching might be just the thing for you. Online classes are exploding with artists inspiring and educating others in everything from marketing your business to healing through art. The options online are virtually endless. I've taken "online" classes where all of the content was delivered via group conference calls and other classes that were exclusively videos and PDF's. You get decide how you want to connect with yours students.
The financial upside: Online classes can have low overhead costs and you can teach many more students at once. Your income possibilities are exponentially larger here.
When you're deciding how you want to teach, ask yourself:
What do you want your life to look like? Do you dream of traveling, prefer being home every day when your kids get home, or looking for a little more connection with the outside world? Do you want to work nights and weekends?
How do you want to interact with your students? Do you prefer to be showing them hands on in a class-type setting or do you prefer to guide from afar?
What are your financial goals for your business? How much money do you want to earn from teaching each month? What type of teaching will help get your there?
These answers will start to lead you in the right direction when it comes to building classes into your bigger plan. Have questions on where to begin? I'd love to help, just contact me.
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