How to Overcome Challenges as a Vocal Coach

When you enter the world of vocal coaching, you are presented with many challenges. Maybe you are new or just beginning to teach, you might be having difficulty gaining visibility or obtaining new students. Building a successful practice in helping others learn to sing takes time, patience, and a lot of work.

Perseverance is an essential tool to keep you going, especially during times when you feel that your career path isn’t panning out how you had initially planned. Below are some of the challenges that you may face, and things that you can put into practice to help overcome them.

When you are establishing yourself and your business, you must make it clear that your job as a coach is to guide your students. You are not there to solve all voice problems, but rather, the goal is to help your student have the ability to identify areas to work on and use practice and lesson time to improve.

It can be challenging to find new students, especially in an area where you don’t know many people or parents who may be seeking a vocal coach. Some suggestions to help you gain more visibility and recognition include:

• Seek out an area community theater or church choir, someplace where you can let people know what you do, and perhaps offer business cards to parents or performers.
• Offer an initial trial lesson (this is helpful especially when you’re new), so that potential students can try you out to see if you’re a good fit. 
• Set up your social media and websites, which can be extremely beneficial if you offer online lessons. They also help you establish yourself as a legitimate business if you provide channels where you can share experiences, tips, and techniques for singers to use as a resource. Consider a YouTube channel or website with an in-depth blog.

New or beginner teachers who don’t have a large portfolio feel doubtful about their abilities. If you feel doubtful or down on yourself, you must push through those fears. There is a reason that you began to teach – and trust me, you’re not alone!

Be kind to yourself, and remember why you began to teach in the first place. Help yourself remember with motivational phrases, and know that it won’t always be perfect. Some students out there may want to take voice lessons, but just don’t jive with your style – and that is OK!

If you let the feeling that you’re not good enough or don’t know what you’re doing get in your way, you won’t succeed. Set small, attainable goals for yourself within your business and work hard to achieve them. Small steps lead to big things, and if you track and measure your success you will be surprised at how quickly you can reach (and exceed) your goals and feel accomplished.

I know I said you’re not alone, but it helps to discuss your feelings with others. Maybe there’s another voice teacher or coach in your area that can help you through things and give you sound advice.

No one should suffer alone, so feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with a mentor, or maybe your own vocal coach. They should be able to help suggest ways to help you overcome your challenges, and share some of their own experiences.

Don’t give up on yourself. It may seem difficult when you’re starting as a voice coach, but remember that everyone started somewhere. Don’t wait or drag your feet because you’re unsure, but rather, jump in and start experimenting. You’ll learn quickly from your mistakes and find out what will help you on your path to success.

AUTHOR: KERRI HARDWICK