
- Talking (a lot)
- Demonstrating (over and over again)
- Conducting, singing, cueing, correcting
- Trying to maintain posture, presence, and patience
- …often while clenching your jaw and smiling through the stress
Maybe your head, too. Or your ears. Or your neck.
Sound familiar?
Why Music Teachers Are Prone to TMJ Dysfunction
My Story (In Case We Haven’t Met Yet)
What Helped Me (And What I Created to Help You)
- What’s really causing your jaw tension
- Simple changes you can make in just a few minutes a day
- How to break the cycle of pain so you can keep doing what you love
- How to build strength and mobility that lasts (without overwhelm)
You Deserve to Feel Good—In and Out of the Classroom
Now it’s time to pour into you.
Check out TMJ Strong.
It might just be the thing your future self will thank you for.

“But I’m doing all the things… why isn’t this working?”
Spoiler alert: what you’re doing might not be marketing. It might just be posting.
Wait, isn’t social media part of marketing?
It leads somewhere. It’s part of a system. It helps move people from stranger → curious → ready to book.
🚩 You might just be posting if:
- You're posting consistently but still not getting inquiries
- You’re not sure what the goal of your posts actually is
- You don’t have a system to follow up with interested people
- You’re relying on “hope marketing” (as in: “I hope someone sees this and books a lesson or buys a course!”)
- You’re not collecting emails or offering clear next steps
What real marketing actually looks like
- You know who your ideal student is (and speak directly to them)
- You offer clear next steps (not just “like and share!”)
- You nurture leads over time (think: email series, helpful content, invitations—not pressure)
- You measure what’s working and adjust with intention
- You’re building something bigger than just a full 1:1 schedule—you’re building a business
So how do I start actually marketing?
- Who do I really want to teach?
- What makes me different?
- What problem am I solving for them?
- What’s the best way to reach them consistently—without burning out?
A message that says:
“Hey, I see you. I understand your needs. And I’ve built something just for you.”
Ready to make your marketing mean something?

“Post every day.”
“Show your face more.”
“Keep showing up — even if no one’s commenting.”
“If I just post more, it’ll eventually start working.”
What Posting More Really Does (If There’s No Strategy)
- Wasted time
- Mental fatigue
- Feeling like social media is a second job
- Zero leads, despite all that effort
So... What Does Work?
1. Define the Goal of Your Content
- Build trust with potential students (or their parents)?
- Get clicks to your lesson info page?
- Encourage people to join your email list?
- Kick up your algorithm with engagement?
2. Focus on Strategy Over Frequency
You need to speak clearly to the person you want to help, with content that connects.
3. Plug Social Media Into a Bigger System
- Your website
- Your email list
- Your inquiry form or booking page
- A clear onboarding path
Real Talk for the Music Teacher Scrollin’ Instagram at 10 PM
You’ve just been given the wrong tools.
More strategy = more results.
Ready to Make Social Media Actually Work for Your Studio?
This isn’t another fluffy checklist. It’s a practical roadmap that shows you how to simplify your marketing, attract better-fit students, and stop wasting time on content that doesn’t convert.

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)
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
Your posts feel flat.
Your emails feel awkward.
And your audience? Confused.
- 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
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
You just need a bit of clarity. And I’ve got you. 💛
How to Fix It (Without a 47-Page Worksheet!)
1. Who do I love teaching — and why?
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?
3. What outcome are they hoping for?
Speak to the transformation:
More confidence
A love of music
Better focus
A teacher who gets their child
When You Know Who You’re Talking To, Everything Gets Easier:
✅ 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
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 need a plug-and-play guide that actually makes sense for music teachers building businesses on their terms.
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
It’s your first step to building a business that feels aligned, sustainable, and so much lighter.

1. Show Your Teaching Style, Not Just Your Playing
- Quick technique fixes
- Before/after student progress moments
- "Watch me teach this tricky section" videos
2. Create Clear Next Steps (Always!)
- "DM me 'SCALES' for my free fingering chart"
- "Comment 'LESSON' if you want help with this technique"
- "Link to schedule a trial lesson in bio!"
3. Answer Questions Nobody's Asking (Yet)
- "What age should kids start piano?"
- "How often should you tune your violin?"
- "Can adults really learn guitar from scratch?"
4. Create Location-Specific Content
- "5 Piano Tips for Beginners in [Your City]"
- "Looking for Music Lessons in [Your Area]? Here's what to expect"
5. Share Student Success Stories (With Permission!)
The Real Secret: Consistency > Perfection

But let’s be real—it can also be exhausting.
You’re not broken. And you’re definitely not alone.
Why Music Teachers Are Especially At Risk for Burnout
- High visibility, high pressure.
Every concert, performance, and parent meeting feels like a public evaluation. That constant need to “prove” yourself adds up. - 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. - 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. - Under-resourced and overextended.
You do so much with so little—and that emotional labor often goes unnoticed.
Signs You Might Be Burning Out
- 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
What You Can Do About It
- 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?
It’ll help you simplify your business, attract more aligned students, and start creating more income without adding more hours to your day.
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. ✨

Staying Healthy at the Start of the School Year
Personalized Frequency Benefits for Educators
- Morning Energy Boost: Use the "System Boost" frequency before school to increase alertness and productivity.
- Lunchtime Relaxation: Apply the "Relaxation" frequency during breaks to reset and recharge.
- After-School Stress Relief: Utilize the "Stress" frequency to unwind after a long day of teaching.
- Evening Wind-Down: Employ the "Better Sleep" frequency to improve sleep quality and prepare for the next day.
User-Friendly Design for Busy Teachers
Enhancing Mental and Emotional Well-Being
- Pre-Meeting Calm: Use the "Mental Clarity" frequency before parent-teacher conferences or staff meetings.
- Emotional Balance: Apply the "Emotions" frequency when dealing with challenging student behaviors.
- Focus Enhancement: Utilize the "Improved Focus" setting while creating lesson plans or grading assignments.
Cost-Effective Solution for Educators
Practical Integration into Teaching Routines
- Classroom Management: Use the "Balance" frequency to maintain composure during hectic classroom moments.
- Professional Development: Apply the "Mental Clarity" setting during workshops or training sessions to enhance learning and retention.
- Collaborative Planning: Utilize the "Improved Focus" frequency during team meetings to boost productivity and creativity.
- Self-Care Breaks: Employ the "Relaxation" or "Detox" frequencies during short breaks between classes to rejuvenate quickly.
Supporting Physical Health
- Voice Strain Relief: Use the device's frequencies to support vocal cord recovery after long periods of speaking.
- Posture Improvement: Apply specific frequencies to alleviate discomfort from prolonged standing or sitting.
- Immune System Support: Utilize the "System Boost" frequency to help maintain overall health during cold and flu season.

Rotating Turns: A Balanced Approach
1. Plan Your Activities Well
- Solos During Echo Songs or Tonal Patterns: Encourage students to sing back a short echo for a warm-up, call and response or echo song, or tonal pattern (if you use Conversational Solfege). In this way, you can truly have every student sing a solo (one line of the echo song) even in large classes and it takes less than 3 minutes!
- Instrumental Rotations: Utilize an instrument for a beat-keeping activity that holds attention (a loud one you don't use often is good for this because you only take out one at a time!). Each student takes a turn playing that instrument to the steady beat while the class speaks or sings a rhyme or simple song to the beat that student set the tempo with. You get to assess that student's steady beat! And each student eventually gets a turn with the special instrument. Pro tip: write down the student's assessment score (referencing a rubric if needed) to check off that they got a turn.
2. Divide and Conquer
- Session 1: Begin with every student doing the echo or beat keeping on their lap together. Ensure that they can confidently do it as a group.
- Session 2: Begin with confident students/students you know will be a good model of what you are wanting to accomplish if they are new at this. Take requests of who wants to go next or follow a predescribed pattern like "go around the circle."
- Session 3-4: Complete with the remaining students, ensuring everyone has had a chance to participate.
Keeping Track: The Importance of Documentation
1. Use a Turn Tracker
2. Assess and Reflect
Building Connections: The Power of Individual Attention
1. Personalized Feedback
2. Foster a Supportive Environment
Transform Your Life & Business with Martha Krejci's "Big Think Revolution": A Music Teacher's Review

Overview of "Big Think Revolution"
Why Regular Revisits Are Crucial
- Refocus on my goals and adjust my strategies
- Identify new opportunities for growth in my music teaching business
- Improve my time management skills, balancing homeschooling and entrepreneurship
- Stay motivated and inspired, especially during challenging times
How "Big Think Revolution" Leveled Up My Business
Conclusion

1. Recognize and Acknowledge Burnout
- Constant fatigue and lack of energy
- Decreased motivation and job satisfaction
- Increased irritability with students or colleagues
- Difficulty concentrating or being creative in lessons
- Physical symptoms like headaches or insomnia
2. Prioritize Self-Care and Work-Life Balance
- Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life
- Prioritize sleep and maintain a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly to reduce stress
- Engage in activities you enjoy outside of work
- Practice mindfulness or meditation to manage stress
- Make a list of all your responsibilities
- Categorize tasks into "Must-Do," "Delegate," and "May-Do"
- Focus on high-impact activities that directly benefit your program
- Delegate tasks when possible to parents or students or colleagues to lighten your load
- Consider eliminating or postponing low-priority items
3. Seek Support and Build a Community
- Join professional organizations for music educators
- Participate in online forums or social media groups for music teachers
- Attend conferences or workshops to network and gain new ideas & reignite passion
4. Explore Flexible Teaching Options
Private Lessons
- Set up a home studio or teach online
- Choose your own hours and student load
- Focus on one-on-one instruction in your preferred instruments or areas
Community Music Programs
- Lead a community choir or instrumental group
- Work with motivated adult learners
- Organize performances and events on a more relaxed schedule
Homeschool Music Instruction
- Offer music classes or lessons to homeschool groups
- Create a flexible schedule that works for you and your students
- Tailor curriculum to individual needs and interests
Online Music Education
- Create and sell educational resources
- Offer virtual workshops or masterclasses
- Develop a YouTube channel or podcast focused on music education
- Start by taking on a few freelance projects while still teaching
- Build a portfolio of your work and skills
- Hire a coach who is knowledgeable, successful at doing this transition in the same way you would like to do it, and has a system
- Network with potential clients and other freelance music educators
- Gradually reduce your teaching hours as your freelance work grows, if possible
- Develop business skills necessary for successful freelancing, such as marketing and financial management. Check out HBR for a great, lifetime access & updates business course!

1. JW Pepper
2. Sheet Music Plus
3. Musicnotes
4. Choral Public Domain Library (CPDL)
5. Hal Leonard
6. Oxford University Press
7. Boosey & Hawkes
8. Carl Fischer Music
9. Edition Peters
10. Independent Individual Composers' Websites

- Establish Clear Boundaries: One of the first steps in managing your time effectively is to establish clear boundaries between your work and family life. Set designated work hours for your music teaching and office hours, and communicate these hours to your students and family members. Similarly, carve out dedicated family time where work-related distractions are minimized. By delineating boundaries, you create space for both professional and personal commitments without letting them overlap excessively.
- Prioritize Tasks: Prioritization is key when balancing multiple responsibilities. Identify the most important tasks for both your music freelance teaching and family responsibilities, and tackle them accordingly. Time block to get those one-time or weekly tasks done. Consider using productivity techniques such as Eisenhower's Urgent/Important Principle to manage your time efficiently. By focusing on high-priority tasks first, you can make significant progress in both areas of your life without feeling overwhelmed.
- Embrace Flexibility: Flexibility is essential when navigating the unpredictable nature of freelance work and family life. Recognize that plans may need to be adjusted at times, and be willing to adapt accordingly. Utilize tools such as scheduling apps or digital calendars to keep track of appointments, deadlines, and family events. Additionally, communicate openly with both your students and family members about any changes or adjustments to your schedule. By embracing flexibility, you can navigate unforeseen challenges with greater ease and minimize stress.
- Delegate and Outsource: Don't hesitate to delegate tasks or outsource certain responsibilities to others when necessary. Whether it's hiring a virtual assistant to handle administrative tasks related to your teaching business or enlisting family members to help with household chores, delegating can free up valuable time and mental energy. Remember that you don't have to do everything yourself, and seeking support from others can lighten your workload and reduce feelings of overwhelm.
- Practice Self-Care: Amidst the hustle and bustle of balancing work and family life, don't forget to prioritize self-care. Carve out time for activities that recharge you mentally, physically, and emotionally. Whether it's taking a walk, practicing mindfulness, or indulging in a hobby, self-care is essential for maintaining balance and preventing burnout. Remember that by taking care of yourself, you'll be better equipped to fulfill your commitments to both your music freelance teaching and your family.