The Next Level: What Social Media Marketing Can Do For Music Teachers and Musicians
- Esther Ling
- 1 hour ago
- 6 min read
I wanted to pen some reflections I had over a recent workshop I did with local music teachers and musicians on social media marketing hosted by the Grande Prairie Music Teachers Association.
I had a wonderful experience speaking about social media marketing; a topic I used to avoid for many reasons, which I now have grown to accept the many benefits of learning to be brave to use it for work.
It was rewarding being able to share my knowledge and experience, and inspire others to understand social media as a useful business tool to grow one’s brand.
As I spoke about topics on branding and content strategy, I am reminded of a simple fact that we, as private music teachers, do not have the benefit of a physical store front, whereby the chances of being seen as a business is higher.
Like many other businesses operating from the home, we run our teaching studio privately in our homes. Most of the time we rely on word of mouth too.
But WHAT IF you don’t have to depend on or wait for sales to come knocking at your door by word of mouth?
WHAT IF you already have in your hands, a free tool, which you can learn to use, that you can help you and your business be visible online?
WHAT IF by showing up consistently, the algorithm gets to know you, and over time establishes the message on search engines (yes and this includes social media) so people can readily find you when they type in the search bar?
WHAT IF you can start fostering an online community, building trust, so that people won’t even have to think twice when they arrive at your page, and immediately becomes a potential lead by booking or contacting you?
This was what I discussed with participants in the workshop. I was happy to chat with folks after, and glad to know that I've inspired them to revisit their goals, and have given them lots to think about.
Marketing work, which makes up a significant portion of all businesses is surprisingly not the first thing we think about as musicians or teachers.
Mostly because we are not used to viewing ourselves as a business. But the simple fact is, whenever you charge a member of the public for your services, you ARE considered a business.
It is crucial to remember though, times have significantly changed over centuries in which traditional methods of finding work as musicians and music teachers are not as effective anymore.
The world now moves at such a fast pace with the digital platforms being a part of our daily lives.
If you want to worry less about who’s going to fill the next spot, or how to secure the next booking, people need to see your face or your brand and your work online consistently to remember you and your services.
I get it, there’s a lot of bad rep about social media these days. I’ve been there myself many years ago.
Honestly, I spiraled into depression because it got too overwhelming and consumed my thoughts to the point where I had to deactivate and delete my long-time, personal Facebook account of 15 years. I needed the break.
When I came back into music scene a couple of years ago, I realized I had to build a new brand as a musician and artist, and so I started brand new accounts again.
I learnt that we can control what we do and how we do it. We can change our mindset and view social media as a marketing work tool.
It may not be something we understand at first, and like any tool in this world, we have to take time to learn it.
Living in Grande Prairie is unique in the sense that the community is small enough; most music teachers and musicians I’ve talked to feel that they don’t need to do all of this, and it seems there is always a demand for music lessons.
I do agree, that it is easier here as compared to a big city. Five years ago, when I started my own private teaching, all I had to do was post a Facebook message in my neighbourhood community’s Facebook group and I immediately filled up 10 spots.
However, over time, I was looking to grow more as a teacher and a performer.
I wanted to do performances, accompany students. I found it very difficult because people here seemed to use back the same old pianist they’ve been using and personally know in the community.
For someone new like me trying to find work, it was really tough competition when nobody knew who I was.
Fast forward to today, in a span of 1.5 years, I rebuilt my social media accounts with a stronger focus on my brand as a pianist, composer and songwriter.
It’s been a huge learning curve, and I had to learn to be brave to put myself, my playing, my work out there consistently, even if it’s not perfect.
And I am here to say, I know being consistent and showing up has been successful for me, because I have people reaching out to me, even outside of Grande Prairie, for paid work and collaboration.
I have been contacted several times to be an accompanist because someone Google searched “pianist Grande Prairie”, which has provided me with paid gigs to accompany music students in music festivals.
I’ve been approached by three bands in Grande Prairie to discuss work as a keyboard player for the band, and all had contacted me through social media.
I’ve networked online and collaborated with other amazing pianists outside of Canada to help with the release of my composition work.
I’ve been able to successfully promote my new song releases independently and connect with radio and program show hosts.
I was invited to collaborate as a pianist on a styled wedding shoot in other cities because the wedding planning company had been following my content for a while and liked my beautiful and elegant piano playing.
Also, music work aside, I was contacted by a local photographer to collaborate as a model on a styled, hi-fashion photography shoot for her magazine submission project. Like how cool is that?
It may not be music related, but the feature shoot includes my identity as a musician. This itself is an opportunity for my brand to reach a different set of audience - the photographer’s audience and the magazine’s audience.
These opportunities, I did not go searching or asking people personally myself.
These were leads that came in organically because someone saw my content online, perhaps followed me for awhile and grew to like and trust me; my brand.
To think that I was able to reach a wider audience and connect with like-minded musicians, teachers, artists, creatives and expand my network just explains the power of social media reach in today’s digital age.
I’ve learnt that consistency wins and it takes time to learn, just like any new skill. Perfection is a myth!
Think of ourselves with our instruments, consistency with practice brings progress and success in our performances. It is the exact same concept with social media work.
We have to start looking at what our limiting beliefs are, and switching the narrative into powerful, encouraging beliefs.
I know at least in my experience, the biggest limiting belief I had when I first started out was, “My friends and family will laugh at me. They will criticize my content”
Remember, you are not trying to please THEM. They are not your target audience!
Stay focused, target your right audience, and be your own favorite account!
xoxo
Esther
I definitely enjoyed sharing my knowledge on social media marketing for music teachers and musicians.
I hope to teach this workshop again sometime!
I have personally trained local music teachers and musicians in Grande Prairie looking to learn to market their teaching business, grow their brand as a musician/artist and promote original music releases.
If you're looking for workshop ideas, drop me a message and let me know how I can help.
Prefer a non-judgmental space to learn?
1-on-1 private mentoring is available too!
If you’d like a glimpse of how I released my latest song, Cheeky Wind, FOLLOW ME on Instagram @estherlingpianist
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