music education

What Happens When You Don’t Know Your Ideal Student (And How to Fix It)

What Happens When You Don’t Know Your Ideal Student (And How to Fix It)
Let’s talk about one of the sneakiest reasons your marketing might not be working the way you hoped.

You're showing up online.
You're posting to Instagram or Facebook.
You’re offering lessons, group classes, or courses…
But it feels like no one’s actually listening. (Cue crickets)

Here’s the truth that most music teachers aren’t told:

It’s not always about how often you're posting or which platform you’re on.
It might be that you’re not speaking clearly to the right person.

Why Knowing Your Ideal Student (or Parent!) Changes Everything

When you're not 100% sure who you're trying to reach, your marketing gets… well, kinda meh.
Your posts feel flat.
Your emails feel awkward.
And your audience? Confused.

Here’s what that usually looks like:

  • You're writing content that even you wouldn’t stop to read
  • You’re getting inquiries from people who don’t really fit your vibe (or budget)
  • You feel stuck every time you sit down to make content
  • Your offers don’t sell like you hoped
  • And you’re constantly second-guessing your messaging
Exhausting, right?

But when you do have clarity around your ideal student — or the parent who’s hiring you — everything shifts.
Your message lands.
Your offers click.
The right people start finding you (and saying YES).

Not Sure Who Your Ideal Client Is? Here’s How That Might Show Up:

  • You’re posting regularly… but engagement is low
  • You’re getting questions that don’t match what you actually offer
  • You struggle to explain what you do and who it's for
  • You're getting inquiries from people who aren’t ready, aren’t a fit, or just want a discount
  • You're tweaking your messaging over and over… and still feel like it's off
If that sounds familiar, take a deep breath. You’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything wrong.
You just need a bit of clarity. And I’ve got you. 💛

How to Fix It (Without a 47-Page Worksheet!)

Let’s keep this simple and actually useful. Ask yourself these three questions:

1. Who do I love teaching — and why?

Think about your favorite students (or their parents).
What were they like?
What did they care about?
Why did working with them light you up?

2. What are they struggling with before they find me?

This is GOLD. Maybe they’re overwhelmed by online learning. Maybe their kid’s confidence is tanking. Maybe they want a better option than the after-school chaos.
Speak directly to that moment.
What do you teach/help them with -- specifically? (Don't just say "piano lessons.")

3. What outcome are they hoping for?

Don’t just list features (“8 lessons per month, 30 minutes each”).

Speak to the transformation:

More confidence
A love of music
An xyz philosophy of learning and its results
Better focus
A teacher who gets their child

When You Know Who You’re Talking To, Everything Gets Easier:

✅ Your content flows
✅ Your offers resonate
✅ Your students (and their parents) feel connected before they even hit "inquire"
✅ And best of all—you feel confident sharing your work

No more being everything to everyone.

You’ll start attracting students who are truly a great fit—and who are thrilled to pay for the transformation you provide.

Want Help Defining Your Ideal Student (Without Spinning Your Wheels)?

You don’t need another generic worksheet.

You need a plug-and-play guide that actually makes sense for music teachers building businesses on their terms.

That’s why I created the Ideal Student Blueprint

It’ll help you:
  • Get crystal-clear on who your perfect-fit student (or parent) really is
  • Understand what they’re looking for and how to speak their language
  • Create messaging that clicks—so your website, posts, and emails actually work
  • Build the foundation for marketing that feels focused, not frantic
Whether you’re going full-time freelance or just refining your current offers, this blueprint will help you dial in your message with confidence.


Because clarity isn’t just a nice-to-have.

It’s your first step to building a business that feels aligned, sustainable, and so much lighter.

Are Music Teachers Prone to Burnout? Let’s Talk About It.

Are Music Teachers Prone to Burnout? Let’s Talk About It.
Teaching music is meaningful work. It’s creative, heart-led, and deeply rewarding.
But let’s be real—it can also be exhausting.
If you’ve ever felt emotionally drained, overworked, or just plain worn out… you’re not imagining it.
You’re not broken. And you’re definitely not alone.

Why Music Teachers Are Especially At Risk for Burnout

There are some very real reasons we’re more prone to burnout than other educators:

  1. High visibility, high pressure.
    Every concert, performance, and parent meeting feels like a public evaluation. That constant need to “prove” yourself adds up.
  2. The job rarely stops at 3 p.m.
    Evening rehearsals, weekend events, planning lessons on Sundays. It’s a lot—and it’s not sustainable without support.
  3. You’re often a one-person department.
    There’s a good chance you’re the only music teacher in your school or studio. It can feel isolating, especially when others don’t “get” the unique pressure we’re under.
  4. Under-resourced and overextended.
    You do so much with so little—and that emotional labor often goes unnoticed.

Signs You Might Be Burning Out

Burnout doesn’t always look like total collapse. Sometimes, it shows up in more subtle ways:

  • Feeling tired all the time, no matter how much you sleep
  • Losing your excitement or passion for teaching
  • Getting sick more often, or dealing with constant headaches/tension
  • Feeling disconnected—from students, coworkers, or even your own goals
  • Dreading work you used to love
If any of those feel familiar, I want you to know: it’s okay to acknowledge it. Awareness is the first step toward change.

What You Can Do About It

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but these strategies can help you find your footing again:

  • Protect your time like it’s sacred. Set boundaries around evenings and weekends where possible. Rest is productive.
  • Connect with others who understand. Whether it’s fellow music teachers, a Facebook group, or a local circle—community can remind you that you’re not alone.
  • Celebrate the little wins. That one student who finally nailed their rhythm? That matters. That’s progress.
  • Check in with yourself. What do you need right now? Permission to rest? A mindset shift? A new direction? Listen to that inner nudge.

Ready to Build a Business That Doesn’t Burn You Out?

If you’re already freelancing or running a private studio, you’ve got more freedom than most teachers—but that doesn’t mean you feel free.

Let’s change that.

📥 Grab my free Quick Start Marketing Guide for Music Teachers
It’ll help you simplify your business, attract more aligned students, and start creating more income without adding more hours to your day.
Because you deserve a business that supports your life—not one that drains you.

And if you haven’t yet—come hang out with us in the Freelance Music Teacher Community Facebook group!

It’s the place to ask questions, get encouragement, and connect with others who get it.
Seriously, there’s GOLD in the guides section over there. ✨

You're not meant to do this alone. And around here—we’re rooting for you. 💛


This is my health story

 

I have always been sensitive. That's a word that has described me, my body in particular, my whole life. I have skin sensitivities to fabrics, bruise easily, I get cold easily, I tend to be on "alert" all of the time (no coffee needed here!), I'm a musician and very creative, and I don't even THINK about using any conventional personal care or other products that are scented... they bother my skin, and they bother my respiratory system too. I've never been able to use any scented products because of the discomfort and increased sensitivity they cause. I can't be around people who wear perfume or scented deodorant, because I can't breathe well and my head has discomfort. I can't go into a public bathroom that has been just cleaned because of the toxic chemicals they used to clean it. I can't enjoy candles or most lotions or makeup like most women I know because I'm sensitive to it.

During my first semester of college, I started to develop debilitating discomfort in my jaw, which I was later told is TMJD or temporomandibular joint dysfunction, not just the kind of little twinge when you bite down on something too hard, but long-lasting aching, along with clicking and cracking. It was exacerbated by singing, gum-chewing, caffeine, and other things, and I was easily able to cut out all of the things listed on my doctor's list except for one -- singing. I was a vocal music education major, and singing was my livelihood (or at least soon-to-be), so I couldn't just not practice! I struggled so hard for 2.5 years through long choir rehearsals, voice lessons, practice sessions, and more. By the end of the day, it would be so bad that I'd almost be in tears. My roommates and boyfriend (and his roommates!), bless their servant hearts, would bring me freezing cold ice packs to numb my face enough so that I could fall asleep at least, though I would wake up in the night unable to fall back asleep due to other sleep issues I also was dealing with.

It seemed like a vicious cycle that I needed to stop. Maybe I needed to change majors and give up my dream of making music, of teaching others to make music too. Maybe I needed to pick something that didn't require so much singing and talking. Even smiling a lot bothered me, so maybe I needed to pick a major or job with less human interaction. But THAT idea broke my heart. I didn't enjoy any of the things I could think of! My boyfriend at the time (now husband!) and I had many conversations about what I should do... singing was part of the fabric of my BEING. I am MADE to sing. If you know me, you know that hardly an hour went by without me humming or singing some little tune. But my jaw bothered me so much most of the time that I needed to change SOMETHING. But what?

And that's when change came...

I found some natural and pretty simple solutions -- though simple doesn't always mean easy! It required a LOT of discipline and self-control on my part.

I'm blessed now to have so many versatile tools in my tool box for any emotion, body system, or issue I may be experiencing. So, where am I now? Healthier than I’ve EVER been. I have NO jaw issues anymore when I keep up my self-created protocol. I sleep through the night. I feel so much better now that I'm sleeping more and deeper. I've spent 4 years now working through the emotional issues I faced in early career, and I am so happy that I can now FEEL emotions without feeling completely run-over and frozen by emotions. I’m also happy to say that I have only had little illnesses since finding solutions, not the constant strep throat and other illnesses I was getting at least once per month before! And, that’s saying a lot as I was constantly around germs while working full time with 500+ elementary students. But once I started supporting my immune system, I stopped getting sick every couple of weeks. I can clean with the most amazing smelling cleaner without coughing. I can wear my own homemade "perfume" and get compliments, and not only does it smell good, it supports my body systems. I can use amazing smelling shampoo now! I can have twice as much energy for the day without drinking any coffee or sugary drink. When I started having these successes, I was at first in disbelief, and now in awe at all that God's created, I believe, and given us for our good. Now these are my first line of defense, my go-tos, the first thing I do when something is off, which is not very often anymore (usually just when the weather changes, ah MN life).


I look forward to living a beautiful life of freedom and feeling empowered every single day, enjoying the life I was meant to live. That life includes sharing my story of overcoming and helping you also find better, safer solutions to overcome your daily struggles.

Are you ready to live empowered to be your own best advocate? Let's chat.

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