Giving private lessons

Sassypants · 2013-08-12T15:59:11+00:00

I posted an ad on my school's classified board for private pole lessons. I am not a certified instructor but I believe I am capable enough to teach beginners to intermediate. I'm wondering if any of you ladies have done this? Is it better to teach out of your home, or should I rent a dance room from a studio? What should I charge? Are there confidentiality issues? What hourly rates would be reasonable? I'm not trying to make this an official business or anything, but I thought I could bring in some pocket money by giving lessons here and there. I got my first prospective client email today. Any advice is welcome.

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Sassypants · 8/14/2013
Thank you Corby, that was a very helpful and realistic post. The number one rule is definitely to listen to your own body. You've all given me a lot to think about. Thanks for the input!
Koidragon · 8/14/2013
I do agree with you Corby, even the best teachers can have students who have injuries - especially from those of us who do tend to go for the 'no pain, no gain' aspect :) I guess though what I am saying is the likelyhood of a student getting injured will be much higher from someone who doesn't have the years of experience. Another point I agree with - if you are passionate about it, you should definitely go for it! But then, do it wholeheartedly and go the whole hog. Going through a studio is a good idea, but I don't know if that is available to Sassypants? I personally have no issue with someone teaching under the table - in a lot of ways, it is a great way to build a student base. But, that person teaching under the table I would hope would still be giving me the same level of instruction and expertise as I would expect anywhere else, especially if money is involved, and I would definitely want to know they are insured. Ha, the studio owners and private teachers I know aren't exactly rolling in money, they definitely do it for the love of it :)
aliceBheartless · 8/14/2013
I know it can all be kind of crazy. I think the part that most blows my mind is how 'easy' it is to do if you keep everything under the radar. Once a person tries to stay on the up and up, it's like it never ends. If I decide to get insurance, then it starts to make sense to distance your personal assets from that liability, so create a company to do so. Once you have created a company, you've kind of made operating it on the down low technically harder to do, especially on paper (and the paperwork!). Violating the lease isn't a problem until one of my neighbors thinks the music is too loud and reports me. It just goes on and on. Many many studios operate very loosely, because there isn't a lot of money in operating a studio, and conforming to all the laws just on the business side of things, not to mention the rent, equipment, teachers, and marketing, etc can really demolish the start up fund. Teaching under the table isn't the worst that could happen. Someone really hurting themselves (big problem), and their insurance company digging into things can become a problem. Liability would be my biggest concern. I guess I wouldn't expect that teaching under the table would consist of things like insurance, appropriate technique or safety knowledge, or necessarily good instruction. It could, but I personally wouldn't bank on it. Same goes for studios, actually.
aliceBheartless · 8/14/2013
Also, let it be known: I am a pessimist. Don't take me too seriously. 😀