Ask the elementary school principle (or appropriate person) if you can place a stack of brochure/advertisements where kids can see one posted on a board and then take one home if they wish. I did this last year for Group Keyboard classes and it netted me two classes of students.

I made sure to put a giant keyboard image on the page — a picture goes a lot farther than words! Parents called me because their kids were interested. This year, I have retained half of those students, but that’s not so unusual with kids who want to take lessons in a group as opposed to private lessons.

If you go to a church, volunteer to play piano in some capacity. Let it be known you are taking students.

If you already have one or more students, start giving little public recitals — at rest homes and other free venues. Even if they can’t play much at all, they can still play duets with you! Their family and friends will come to watch, and the word will get around.

Put ads in the paper from time-to-time, especially before the onset of a new school “season’; back-to-school fall or post-Christmas, or for summer.

If there are groups of adults who get together to sing (such as for the Messiah or a local musical), volunteer to help with the piano playing. Most likely it will already be covered, but you might be able to be a backup, or perhaps the pianist would like to sing a song or a section himself or herself! (As a friend pianist and I did a couple of years ago — the Messiah is fun to sing AND play.)

If you have the time, inquire of the local high school teacher if she/he could use help accompanying the choir. My sister has done that in our town for years, and she could be teaching lessons if she wanted to! She has made a lot of young friends in that capacity.

Local benefits and concerts are also a way to showcase YOUR talents.

Once you have established yourself as an “authority” or as a good pianist, then you need to set boundaries on what you will do gratis. A professional is someone who gets paid, remember!

Also, once you have a group large enough to give recitals, let the local radio station (and newspaper) know about it. Invite everyone. In a small town this works better, I know… it’s easy to get lost in a big city!

Good luck!

Dana