I recently was asked a question about taking painting classes into
people's homes. I think this is a great business model for your wine and paint business
for two BIG reason's I'll explain below. Q:
Thank you for providing so much helpful information about starting a
wine and paint business. I am a retired art teacher, who also worked
part time at a Muse Paintbar so I am already at ease with the
instructional part of the business. I purchased materials, easels,
aprons, canvases, paint, brushes, etc. I thought I might like to do this
in private homes (I come to you), but I am not sure if people are
comfortable with painting in their homes. I could do small groups in my
house but I have crazy dogs that jump. So, I am not exactly sure how to
go about it. A: Yes, teaching in homes is totally doable and a great business model for two reasons that I love.
There is no overhead to pay for the space, which saves you money.
The Host does recruitment of students for you which saves you both the time and expense of promoting the class.
Here are a few things to consider when teaching in people's homes:
Space:
Hosts need to know what to expect as far as space considerations,
tables, chairs and flooring concerns (you don't want to get paint on a
pretty white carpet for example.) I typically set up in people's dining
rooms and that works out well using the table top easels and plastic
table cloths. Hosts will need to know what YOU provide and what THEY
need to provide, so make sure this is clear. (A written agreement is
always good for this.)
Pricing and Supplies:
I charge a per person rate for home parties, the same as if I'm hosting
them in a public venue. My rate is $35.00 per person and I provide all
of the art supplies needed including easels and aprons. I also have two
6-foot tables that can be used for seating or art supplies.
You may want to charge more if you have to travel longer distances, to account for the extra time and mileage expenses.
You may want to consider a deposit to secure the date, especially if
you're booked solid and rely on the income from each party. Be clear
about what happens to the deposit if the class is cancelled by either
party.
I require a minimum number of guests to run the class and insure I
cover my costs. As far as maximums go, the host needs enough space to
comfortably seat all of the guests so that can vary based on the house
you're teaching in.
Getting started:
A good place to start is by having a friend host your first party and
then work to build more parties from that first class. Once people
attend one and have a great time, they are more likely to book a class.
That's how I started.
If you ever attended a Pampered Chef Party or Lia Sophia or Tupperware
even, you can take some cues from them as far as marketing goes. You
want to give incentives to people in your first class to book the next
class. Bring a calendar with you and if they sign up for a party in the
next 2 months, they will get a special gift on the night of their party,
as well as getting a free class themselves.
I also do a giveaway to sign up for my mailing list. This can be a small
prize, like wine charms, a wine stopper or a bottle of wine, but the
idea is to get all of the students onto your mailing list so you can
contact them again in the future.
I take photos during the party and send out an email to the group
following the event to keep the excitement going. You can also ask for
permission to use the photos on social media or your website to promote
your home parties.
I teach in-home parties for both painting and jewelry making and in 2017
these were one of my biggest money-makers. I would definitely encourage
you to give it a try.
If you're not interested in hosting classes in people's homes and need more ideas about where you set up shop, visit this post.
I hope this gets you thinking about the possibilities of hosting your
own in-home events. As always, if you have questions, just reply to this
email and ask away!
Happy Creating!
Kelly
ps: if you're ready to start teaching your own sip and paint classes, you can get your parties started ASAP using my quick-start guide. Grab it below and join our group of merry art makers.
I've been teaching art and jewelry classes in Syracuse for a few years now and I've learned to be creative about finding space to host classes and workshops. Keeping the cost of the space low, helps increase your profit for each class. Here is a list of places I have held classes, to get your own ideas flowing.
Skype or Zoom-You can use these platforms to teach live classes to people who don't live in your area. It makes it a little trickier than actually being in the room with someone, but totally do-able.
Private Lessons in Student's Homes-I offer private lessons and will travel to people's homes to teach. I used to offer 1:1 classes, but now I just do groups, as it wasn't cost effective to do private lessons.
In a Library-I currently co-host a Mixed-Media Art Exchange Group in a Public Library. We use the space for free and are on their calendar too, so sometimes we get walk-ins from the public who saw it on the calendar.
In a College Activity Center-I teach a class once a year for graduating seniors at a local college. I could also approach local colleges, particularly over the summer, to see if space is available to host a class. Some have space that is available to rent to the public.
In a Non-Profit Agency-I host a local class at a non-profit agency. If you're offering a fund-raiser for a group, they often have space you can use for your class.
In a YURT in the woods. OK, so these aren't generally available, but I'm lucky enough to have friends who have an outdoor classroom, called a Yurt, that they let me use for classes. We host an annual Yurt Yoga and Painting class there and I've also done kids classes there as well.
In a Restaurant-I stumbled on a restaurant/gift shop that has an adorable little cottage and patio in the back, complete with plants and shade-the perfect Artists Cottage. I asked if I could host an event there and we worked out a deal for a 1/2 day painting workshop that included lunch, tea and dessert.
In an Art Co-op. If you're a part of an art co-op, chances are they host classes or have considered it. Start a conversation and see where it goes. I host MANY of my classes in art co-ops I belong to. The added bonus is that people can see the work you sell and the co-ops help to promote the class and take registrations.
In a Church-They often have community rooms available for public use for free, donation or low cost.
In your own home-I have offered small classes and private lessons in my home every now and then. This can be a good place to get started.
In a Field or Park-Set up a tent in a field or rent a pavillion in a park and teach outside in the fair weather months
In a Gift Shop-I teach art classes in a small gift shop. The owner moves items to the side and sets up small 2 to 4 person tables to make for a cozy teaching space.
In a Community Center-I've rented space in a community center for very low cost. Lots of parking, accessibility and space.
In a High School Art Room-I teach through a local Adult Education program offered by my school district and we use one of the Art Rooms for our class. This is actually ideal for our class and works out great.
In a garage-I've both taught and taken classes held in garages. This is not unusual for jewelry making with torches or painting with messy splashing and spraying. I've also used a friend's driveway, come to think of it, and the neighbor's dog stopped over and peed on the paintings while they were drying..good and memorable times!
If you found these ideas helpful, you may be interested in my latest project, "Teaching Creative," my new website. I'm gatheringposts on teaching, interviewing creative teachers and providing tons of information for creative entrepreneurs (like you!) who want to add classes, workshops, courses or retreats to your business.
You can grab the free worksheet: "32 Ways to Earn Income Teaching What You Love" and get more tips and info. on teaching your own courses, right to your inbox. Sign up below to be the first to see Teaching Creative it when it goes live and to kick-start your own classes.
I've been asked a lot lately where I buy the supplies for my painting classes. If you've been to wine and paint classes before or are thinking of teaching yourself, you may wonder where all of the lovely items come from.
Well, the suspense is over...here is the list of what I take to every class, where I buy them and how much they cost:
Canvas: I've been buying the flat 16X20 canvas panels through Blick Art Supply because the flatness makes it easier to transport them, especially for classes of 20+ people. I also think they are easy to mount in a frame and add that professional touch to your work. I recently bought 48 of them for $123 (including shipping) for a class of 30. If you're doing smaller classes, it's fine to buy them at Michael's or AC Moore when they go on sale, if you have those near you. I like to buy mine in bulk, so I often just Google what I'm looking for and compare prices online. Do I always use 16"x20"? No. If I'm hiking up to the Yurt for a Painting Class I go smaller. If I'm squeezing a large group into a small space, I go smaller. If the painting just plain looks better smaller, I go with that. Students do not seem to care much about the size of the painting, but that would be something to evaluate at the end of classes.
Easels: I just stocked up on these for a large class. I bought 30 "Strokes Art Tables" for a total of $218 from Amazon. The price was so low because I signed up for an Amazon credit card and received an $80.00 credit toward the purchase. You can typically find these for around $10 each, but I got mine for about $7.25 each with the credit.
Paint Brushes: Who needs them when you have fingers? Depending on the class, I may use the foam brushes for an intuitive art class, but for the sip and paint classes, I get them from local craft stores. I like the Royal brand brushes for classes. I've been building up a collection, but depending on the painting, we may need different types of brushes.
Paint: My 2 favorites are Premiere from AC Moore and Liquitex wherever I can find it on sale. You may be able to get good sales on bulk orders online (Blick or Jerry's Artorama) and you can also get economy sizes online. When I plan my paintings, I try to not get too carried away with a lot of colors, because it adds to the cost of running the class.
Aprons: I just ordered 30 lime green aprons from KNG for $130.00. You have the option of adding your logo to the aprons. However, these have a tendency to walk away with people after class (students forget they have them on.) I just lost 5 of them at my most recent class so you may not want to spend a lot on them.(I need to find a good way to collect them as people are leaving-ideas welcome!)
Paper Plates, Cups, Paper Towels and Table Cloths: I typically get these at the dollar store or anywhere they are on sale and I reuse the plastic cups and table cloths until they can be used no more. I did go to a paint class where the teacher used Styrofoam plates with compartments for the paint, which is a great idea, but I don't feel good about putting more Styrofoam into our world, so I stick with paper. I'm looking at more earth friendly ways to furnish my classes.
Other things I take with me:
Pitchers for transporting water and filling cups
My real camera
My cell phone for keeping track of the time and getting me to the locations
More than I think I will need of all supplies for last minute students who may show up
Scissors for opening things
Plastic Grocery bags to put the wet paintbrushes in after class
Any paperwork needed for the site
My Square for accepting credit cards of people who didn't register ahead and change in case they are paying in cash
My Easel and my real paint palette (it gives me comfort and strength!) for demonstrations
A sample finished painting for guidance (for both me and my students!)
Individual print-outs of the painting for students to refer to at their stations (optional and depends on complexity)
Any other tools or supplies we may be using for the particular class such as stencils, stamps, markers, collage papers, glue, etc...
Email sign-up sheet, if I haven't already collected email during the registration process
Satisfaction Surveys-I sometimes ask for feedback on the class, so I can continue to make it better. I find this is best to do during class so you have the greatest chance of getting responses. If you wait until after class and email people, your response rate will be lower.
I transport the smaller items in 2 plastic bins and then bring the random things that don't fit in separately.
Well, I think that's it! I would love to hear if you have found any good deals on supplies or have favorite supplies that you use in classes.
I've been teaching art and jewelry classes for a while now and I've learned a few things that you can now avoid as you're getting ready to start teaching. 1) Calendar Planning Skills-Double check your calendar before you commit to anything. I've been guilty of saying yes before I checked what else might be going on that day. This led to booking a class on Super Bowl Sunday and double booking myself with two classes scheduled at the same time. It helps to have a calendar you can access anytime, anywhere like Google Calendar or the Calendar on your phone. 2) Setting it and forgetting it. This happens when you book a class and then neglect to properly market and promote it. ALL classes need to be promoted, no matter how famous you get or how large of a following. If people don't know you're having a class, they're less likely to show up. 3) Not planning enough material for the times when students move quickly. Sometimes you get a group that surprises you and flies through in record time. Be prepared for this with extra add-ons so that you're keeping people challenged for the duration of your time together. 4) Time Zone Changes. I recently set up a Skype class and neglected to consider the time zone change. This resulted in me showing up for class 2 hours early. Make sure you're studying your time zones prior to booking. 5) Giving way too many choices or way too much information that results in overwhelming your students. I love giving people choice and lots of good information, but when I bring too many fun beads and materials, the students get too caught up in trying to decide and it can cause frustration. This is also true with bombarding people with too much information all at once. Break it down into easily digestible pieces. Clean and uncomplicated. Whenever we're beginning something new, we're going to make mistakes and learn from them. I've worked to correct these things and continue to grow and evolve as a teacher and so will you. If you're already teaching, If you're already teaching, leave a comment below and tell us where things didn't go exactly according to plan. ps: If you're looking to learn some basic jewelry making skills, I've just recently added 2 project classes that you can find more information on here.
If you've been thinking about teaching your craft, you may be wondering what type of teaching is right for you and will get you closer to building the life and business that you want. 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.
In one of my earlier posts, I talked about partnering with existing businesses when you're just starting out, to help with getting your class off the ground. This has it's advantages in helping with marketing and promotion but you're also limited to teaching what they want you to teach, when they want you to teach it. They may set the price of the class and pay you a wage. If you want more control over who, where and what you teach along with how much money you earn, consider offering independent classes, workshops or retreats. You will need to find a space that suits your needs, fits well with feel of what you make and attracts the right students to join you. Here are some practical things to consider when choosing that ideal space: Flooring-When I'm teaching painting classes, one of the first things I look at is the floor. I typically steer clear of space with carpeting as just a little paint can damage a carpet quickly. I look for easily flooring that won't mind a little paint and can be easily wiped up. Ventilation-If you're working with anything involving fumes-like paints, sprays, sealants, torches, etc... you want to insure you have windows that open to allow ventilation. Light-Consider the type of lighting you need. I prefer bright, natural light for painting classes. For jewelry classes it's important to have good overhead light. Electricity, Running Water and Bathrooms: Although this seems like a weird thing to include, I have taught classes in a yurt in the woods where there was not electricity, running water or bathroom facilities (except for nature and an outhouse.) If these are things you need, you may want to have an indoor class. If you don't need them, you could consider throwing up a tent at a park or public space for a class-opening up a world of possibilities. For painting classes, we need access to a sink or we need to bring our own water for cleaning brushes. For jewelry classes, it helps to have a place to wash your hands. We also have tools that we may need to plug in to an outlet. Temperature Control-Will you need air conditioning or heat? Don't assume these are available in the space. If you're planning in the winter and your event will be in the summer, it might not occur to you to ask if the space has air conditioning. We recently taught in two spaces that did not have air conditioning. You want to make sure in warmer months that if air conditioning is not available, that you at least have fans at the ready. Room Size-How big of a space do you need? Is there room for tables and chairs? Are they provided or do you need to bring them? How many people could you reasonably fit for your class in the space? The space can also be too big for the size of your group and the atmosphere you want to create. Does the layout suit your needs? Are you able to keep the whole group together or will people need to be in separate areas? Access-Is the space accessible to people with limited mobility? First floor space or access to an elevator is best. If there are stairs only, let people know. When I teach at the yurt I include in my description and make sure people are aware that there is a 15 minute uphill hike on a wooded trail to reach the space. Parking-Where is the parking in relation to the space? Is there enough to accommodate your class? Consider the time of day of your class and what else might be happening at the same time that might impact parking spots. Entrance and Exits-How many access points does the room have? Will the public be passing through the classroom space and does this matter to you? Some people have classes in a food court at the mall, where others prefer quiet, uninterrupted space. Length of Class: If you're holding a two day class, you want to make sure the space is comfortable and inviting with room to move around and spread out. If you're having a two hour class, you can use a smaller space as people will come and go relatively quickly. Meals: The length of the class can impact the room size and accommodations that you need. If you plan to cross over meal times, do you need a kitchen for storing and preparing food? Do you want to have food prepared and delivered for you during your event? Ambiance, Environment and Feel-What kind of feeling do you want to create for your students and how will the physical space help you create the right atmosphere? Do you want a large, light, bright and open space with fresh air blowing through and lots of room to move around? Or, do you want a small, intimate space to facilitate group closeness and connection? Do you want to be outside and connected to nature? I recently found a quaint little cottage-space that looked like a perfect artist studio. I inquired with the owner and she agreed to let us host an intuitive painting class. W e were able to create just the right mood, beginning with the space. Rental fees: What is the charge for room usage? Is it hourly or a flat fee? What is included in the price and what is expected of you in terms of clean-up? Is a deposit required? What is the policy in the event of cancellation? Insurance: Are you required to have separate insurance? Some entities require you to carry your own policy to protect them in the event that someone is injured during your class. Need some help getting started? Here are some ideas: Libraries-Many have private rooms that can be rented. In our area, many reserve these rooms for non-profit entities, so check their policies. Churches-Often have public space available for a small fee or donation. In most cases, you do not have to be part of the congregation to utilize this space. The photo above is a beautiful church where we recently taught in Clinton, NY. It has lofty ceilings, giant windows, hardwood floors, a kitchen, tables/chairs, no air conditioning and limited parking. People coming into the church may walk through the space as well. Recreation and Community Centers-Often have public space available to rent Malls and Stores-Makers have reported using the food court or public space in Malls, coffee shops, Panera and other businesses where it is typical for groups to gather (and make a purchase of course.) Businesses: Consider approaching businesses to use their space in the off hours. Many businesses have conference rooms or open space they may make available to you. Parks: Many parks have pavilions and public spaces both indoor and outdoor, available to rent. These are often used for picnics and parties. Hotels, restaurants and other facilities where wedding receptions or conferences are held: Hotels often have a variety of public rooms available and can provide food for longer events as well. Check wedding advertisements for places that offer showers and receptions to get the ideas flowing. Private Homes: Your home or your student's homes can often be a great place to host classes. There are pros and cons to weigh, especially if bringing people into your own home or studio, such as privacy, liability and safety against low cost and convenience. Retreats, Cottages and Lake houses: These are my favorite for longer retreats, but don't rule them out, especially in the off-seasons, for shorter events. Retreat centers may be willing to rent just one room or a cottage owner may allow you to use the space for one day in the winter months. Vacant Businesses, Homes and Apartments: Although I have not tried this, we have considered approaching businesses that had space vacant and for sale, to find out if we could rent it for a short duration. Have other ideas on teaching space? Post them in the comments below.
I've taken lots of classes and have been lucky enough to have a few very gifted teachers. From their greatness, I learn not only the content of what they're teaching, but also what gives them that certain something that makes students want to keep coming back again and again. What I have found is that you don't necessarily have to be an expert at what you do. You don't have to be perfectly polished and 100% together. Your students are not seeking perfection, they're looking for information, inspiration, connection and maybe a little entertainment for good measure.
So, how can you create classes that get your students fired up? Here are seven qualities I've gleaned from my teachers that you can consider for yourself: 1) Great Teachers are genuinely interested in your growth. They can set aside their own personal issues, self-consciousness and "need to be right" to truly reach you. They are passionate about their craft and want to share that enthusiasm with you. They want you to truly get it and become as excited about your own possibilities as they are. They see you as a person with the potential for growth and help you to see it too. 2)They inspire you to think in new ways and make new connections. They create a shift in your thinking and a sense of possibility for what you can create yourself. They get your mental gears cranking so that you're eager to run home and try what you've learned on your own. They give you the skills you need and encourage your belief that you can do it.
3) They seek to connect with you, often by sharing personal stories that show they are a real person too and not just a talking bobble head. They can be entertaining and humorous which makes learning fun and engaging. They understand that making it fun helps people learn better. 4) They are confident and project confidence. They speak with belief and assurance, which builds your confidence in them and your trust in them as your guide. There is no wishy-washy indecision. (As a student, be wary of people who may just be confidently projecting crap-you should always question things that don't seem right no matter how convincingly offered.) 5) They use their powers of perception to "read" the class. They are in tune with where each person is and what they might need to slow down with or revisit. They adjust accordingly and often offer extra support outside of class to those who might have trouble keeping up. 6) They're clear and concise. They make the outcomes of the class known ahead of time and move you toward those outcomes. In the hugely popular B-School, Marie Forleo outlines exactly what you'll get over a 6-week period and then adds bonuses on top of that. For each segment she delivers, she outlines precisely what you can expect to learn and gives you action steps to take after each segment to implement in your own business. 7) They create an environment where everyone feels open to share. This can be done by laying "ground rules." In Dirty Footprint Studio's "Ignite" Teacher Training Class, we called them "Lodestones" and they were actually rules of engagement with your fellow student's. The Lodestones helped members of the group to know how to give feedback and respect where each person was on her own journey. Don't let these qualities scare you. None of us starts out great-it's something we aspire to. Teaching is a practice which means we might trip and fall on our faces before we improve, but it's worth working toward if you want to establish yourself as a trusted teacher in your craft.
Over the next few weeks, think about who you've learned the most from. What stood out about your greatest teachers that you connected with or appreciated? How did they make you feel? How can you incorporate a little of what you loved into your own classes?
Also think about the not-so-good learning experiences you've had. What do you want to avoid? How did you feel as a student in these environments? I think it's as important to explore what not to do as it strengthens your practice. Steer clear of that which does not serve your students well.
Your teachers are all around you. They're in the blogs and books you read, the posts you follow, the people in your life. Be investigative and notice who and what speaks to you. They are little gifts on you own teaching journey.
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If you're just getting ready to start teaching your art, craft or talent, one of the first things to do is find a location from which to impart your wisdom. Where do you begin? The easiest place to start is to sign on as a teacher with an established business that already offers classes. The advantage being they already have access to potential students so you will not have to do ALL of the marketing and recruiting yourself.
Of course, no matter where you teach, you always promote your classes and let your people know when and where you are teaching. When you're just dipping your toe into the teaching whirlpool, you might not have much of a following yet, and could likely use the extra help from established businesses. You could start with places like: Adult Education Programs-I teach through my school district's Adult Education Program. They send out brochures of all of their courses to everyone in our HUGE school district. They register people for the class, collect payment and they pay me an hourly rate and allow me to build my prep time in. I also charge a minimal supply fee for the beads and wire the students use to create their projects in the class.
Continuing Education Centers-We have a center called BOCES that offers Adult Education Programs. They have a range of classes from cooking to website design. If you have a similar setup in your area, you could review what they already offer and see how you might create an offering that fits in well.
Community Centers-Your local parks and recreation department may have a smattering of youth and adult education classes they offer. Search for them online by googling your town+parks and recreation Art Co-op- I co-teach a painting class with another co-op right in the boutique where we sell our work. We clear out a space, set up tables and the Co-op helps promote it, registers people and collects the money. As an added bonus, people also usually buy from the store while they are there (it's hard to resist when you're sitting amongst so much amazing art!) If you have a place where you sell your work, you could approach them to teach a class, maybe renting the space after store hours if they don't have a designated classroom. We hold classes in the evenings and Sundays when the store is typically closed.
Big Box Craft Stores-places like Michael's and AC Moore are often recruiting instructors to teach in local stores. I've taken cake decorating at Michael's with my daughter in the past and it was fun and informative.
Museums-Here is a link to our local museum and the classes it offers. Keep in mind that you can "pitch" a new class that you'd like to teach. Class coordinators are always on the lookout for fresh ideas to draw people in. I'll talk more about approaching venues in an upcoming post. You also have Online teaching options like Creative Live and Craftsy where you provide the content, or go to their offices to be filmed. They do the promotion and marketing of the class. You will likely need to have demonstratable expertise in your area and a solid audience for your work to land a teaching opportunity with one of them. Another option is Udemy where you create content and they host and promote it. They also have a tendency to put classes on clearance, which means you make far less money. Creative Live (link is to how to submit to teach) Udemy (No teaching Experience required!) Craftsy
These sites provide the platform and handle payment collection, you provide the content.They each offer different features from pricing to student experience, so you will want to compare them.I have heard very positive things about Teachable and have set myself up with a free page for hosting classes with them.
Do you have places you teach or would recommend, either online or through an established business? Feel free to share in the comments.
I had to muster up some chutzpah to teach my first class. Even though I have been teaching in many forms for years, teaching for myself-for my own business, was really scary. I did not have a team or an agency or a boss to go to for support. Just me.
When you teach for yourself, the success of your class depends on you to plan it, market it and teach it. That can create a teeny bit of anxiety-yes indeed. You may feel like you're not ready to teach yet. Like you don't know enough, you don't have the technical skills, people might ask questions you don't know, things could break down and you'll look less than the prepared, competent creative that you are.
You may feel like you're not a good enough artist or maker or that people wouldn't be interested in what you have to share.
These are all very common fears and I still have them all time, as do many of the artist and makers I know, even the ones that make it all look so easy.
After the first jewelry making class I taught, I completely panicked. I couldn't believe I had signed up to teach 2 more sessions and had no idea how I would go back again. I felt I was in way over my head and I needed to figure out something fast which turned out to be the magic fear antidote.
I invited another jewelry maker to come to the second class with me and I was instantly cured of my fear. Having another jewelry maker in the room just put me at ease. Getting her input and ideas made the class stronger. I knew she was there if I stumbled and would keep me from any potential disaster.
Collaborative teaching is my favorite kind and a great place to begin. Having someone else along benefits your students by creating an even more interactive dynamic. Your students get more input, more ideas and more support in creating.
When you collaborate with others, there are many perks. You have someone to share the planning, the expense, the technical details and the clean-up with. You each bring different strengths and skill sets that ideally complement each other. I see it as a benefit to everyone involved, as long as you have a partner that's a good fit for you and your teaching style. You see collaborations all over the art world. Wisdom circles, Retreats, Lifebook and 21 Secrets style classes that bring many artists together to share. These online collaborations also have the added bonus of reaching thousands more people than you could reach alone. And don't forget the amazing energy that comes from bringing creatives together in the same space.
If you don't know of any other artists you could co-teach with, consider bringing a trusted friend to your first class or two. I have done this with my kids classes because I was concerned about the extra support kids sometimes need. My friend (who also happens to be an elementary school teacher) helped with distributing supplies and encouraging the kids. She also gave me useful feedback for the next session. If fear is keeping you from moving forward with your teaching plans, co-teaching may be just the boost you need to get started. It can give you the confidence to continue on your own and to stretch into even more challenges.
As much as I keep pushing it away, teaching keeps boomeranging back to me as something I feel called to do. I'm a perpetual student-in love with learning. Teaching is one of the best ways I know to truly push your own learning to new and deeper levels. When you share what you love, you have the opportunity to genuinely empower others with tools they can use to create and even build a source of income. These two things are vital to me: sharing my enthusiasm and giving women real power they can use to change their lives if they choose. I recently had a chat with another artist who was noticing that many artists who are building sustainable businesses, teach. Offering classes is a great way to build consistent income over time, if you can pull all of the pieces together well.
So, my artsy friends, what is stopping you from teaching your craft? Are you ready to include teaching in your plan for 2015? I've been teaching over the past two years and I would love to help you get started, so here is where we'll begin. Over the next few weeks, we'll dive into these topics on the blog:
How to design classes that are a perfect match for you
How to find and land places to teach
One of the biggest mistakes new teachers make and how to avoid it
Nervous about teaching? I'll share a secret to make it much easier.
If you're teaching in 2015, you won't want to miss any of these, so sign up for my email list below and you'll get them right in your inbox.
