I received a couple comments to my article on http://www.pilatespro.com/ , "How to Succeed As a Freelance Pilates Instructor" , and thought I'd respond to one here on the blog. Here's Christine's comment:
"I am a new Pilates Instructor and recently bought my own reformer. I have been teaching at 2 to 3 studios and hope to get to 30 hours a week, every couple of days I do wonder. If seems I travel more than teach. I hope to read more inspiring stories. Also I am in a town of only 5,000 people outside of Chicago any ideas. -Christine"
I totally hear what Christine is saying about feeling like we travel more than we teach sometimes. Its especially loud and clear lately with the price of gas these days. I have a few suggestions for Christine, and anyone else who feels the same way.
1. Branch out on your own
Most importantly, you say you recently bought your own reformer. This is great! This reformer is your ticket to independence and making more money per hour with less (or no) travel time. I suggest that when you're not teaching, you turn your focus on finding clients to come do private sessions with you on your reformer.
I'm not at all an advocate of stealing clients from the studios where you work, though. You can find your own clients, there are plenty of people to go around, even in a small population. Post an ad on craigslist.org, post signs on local bulletin boards, nursery schools, coffee shops, libraries, colleges, super markets- everywhere!
Come up with an introductory discount package for people who want to try out pilates. Offering a discount when they buy multiple sessions will attract people.
2. Your own balance This is also very important- find a mental balance for yourself. Its stressful when you have a goal of a certain number of hours per week and you're not yet at that goal. Try to focus on the present moment when you're with clients- engage with them, hear them, focus on them and the moment. Loose yourself in each session to the point where you look at the clock and see that there are only minutes left.
If you're stressed out in the back of your mind while you teach, your clients will feel that. The way to attract more business for yourself is really to focus on the present, and trust that good things are coming your way. I promise that this is true.
At the same time, you do need a clear vision of the future, which is why I'm suggesting that you should focus on getting private clients on your reformer, in your free time when you're not teaching. You might even be able to eventually buy a tower or ladder barrel and teach semi-privates, which attract more people (who want to workout with a friend and spend less money).
3. Your goals
I think a realistic goal is that you get so many private clients on your reformer that you slowly don't need to work at 2 or 3 different studios anymore.
One thing that can contribute to stress is unrealistic goals that will just leave you with a feeling as if you need more, or could be more, than what you are now. I know we all have very real financial needs, but take a look at your goals as a teacher and see if they need some tweaking.
Is setting a goal of 30 hours per week realistic at this point? To quote my Saturday morning clients, "We all have goals!", but if you set an unrealistic goal, I have a feeling that you'll always feel inadequate.
This is my suggestion (JUST a suggestion!), focus on getting 10 new clients for your reformer. Let's assume that you charge $50/private on the reformer, with the goal of 10 privates per week. That gives you $500/week. Once you're there, focus on getting 10 more. That gives you $1000/week and you're only working 20 hours/week.
4. Again, your goals
Ok, here's another tip and let me just say that it takes faith to listen to what I'm saying!! Think of the true essence of pilates- balance. If you yourself are not balanced, your clients never will be either. To find your perfect balance, teach from your heart during each session. Your clients will feel it, and recommend you to their friends. Outside of your teaching, switch gears and focus on your goals for your independent business. Spread the word about your reformer, and follow the tips in my Pilates Pro article.
5. Activate yourself
To get energy moving, take new classes yourself. Take yoga, pilates with different teachers, Alexander Technique, Gyrotonics, continuing ed classes, whatever. You'll get some new vocabulary and ideas for your clients, and you'll stir up any static energy in your system! 
I've noticed this myself, whenever I take private sessions for myself in any type of movement method, clients start pouring in. For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction!
Another benefit to taking lessons in your free time is networking with people in your line of work. When other professionals get to know you, they'll recommend you to people they know.
Good luck, and I hope my ideas were helpful for you!! Read more!
"I am a new Pilates Instructor and recently bought my own reformer. I have been teaching at 2 to 3 studios and hope to get to 30 hours a week, every couple of days I do wonder. If seems I travel more than teach. I hope to read more inspiring stories. Also I am in a town of only 5,000 people outside of Chicago any ideas. -Christine"
I totally hear what Christine is saying about feeling like we travel more than we teach sometimes. Its especially loud and clear lately with the price of gas these days. I have a few suggestions for Christine, and anyone else who feels the same way.
1. Branch out on your own
Most importantly, you say you recently bought your own reformer. This is great! This reformer is your ticket to independence and making more money per hour with less (or no) travel time. I suggest that when you're not teaching, you turn your focus on finding clients to come do private sessions with you on your reformer.
I'm not at all an advocate of stealing clients from the studios where you work, though. You can find your own clients, there are plenty of people to go around, even in a small population. Post an ad on craigslist.org, post signs on local bulletin boards, nursery schools, coffee shops, libraries, colleges, super markets- everywhere!
Come up with an introductory discount package for people who want to try out pilates. Offering a discount when they buy multiple sessions will attract people.
2. Your own balance This is also very important- find a mental balance for yourself. Its stressful when you have a goal of a certain number of hours per week and you're not yet at that goal. Try to focus on the present moment when you're with clients- engage with them, hear them, focus on them and the moment. Loose yourself in each session to the point where you look at the clock and see that there are only minutes left.
If you're stressed out in the back of your mind while you teach, your clients will feel that. The way to attract more business for yourself is really to focus on the present, and trust that good things are coming your way. I promise that this is true.
At the same time, you do need a clear vision of the future, which is why I'm suggesting that you should focus on getting private clients on your reformer, in your free time when you're not teaching. You might even be able to eventually buy a tower or ladder barrel and teach semi-privates, which attract more people (who want to workout with a friend and spend less money).
3. Your goals
I think a realistic goal is that you get so many private clients on your reformer that you slowly don't need to work at 2 or 3 different studios anymore.
One thing that can contribute to stress is unrealistic goals that will just leave you with a feeling as if you need more, or could be more, than what you are now. I know we all have very real financial needs, but take a look at your goals as a teacher and see if they need some tweaking.
Is setting a goal of 30 hours per week realistic at this point? To quote my Saturday morning clients, "We all have goals!", but if you set an unrealistic goal, I have a feeling that you'll always feel inadequate.
This is my suggestion (JUST a suggestion!), focus on getting 10 new clients for your reformer. Let's assume that you charge $50/private on the reformer, with the goal of 10 privates per week. That gives you $500/week. Once you're there, focus on getting 10 more. That gives you $1000/week and you're only working 20 hours/week.
4. Again, your goals
Ok, here's another tip and let me just say that it takes faith to listen to what I'm saying!! Think of the true essence of pilates- balance. If you yourself are not balanced, your clients never will be either. To find your perfect balance, teach from your heart during each session. Your clients will feel it, and recommend you to their friends. Outside of your teaching, switch gears and focus on your goals for your independent business. Spread the word about your reformer, and follow the tips in my Pilates Pro article.
5. Activate yourself
To get energy moving, take new classes yourself. Take yoga, pilates with different teachers, Alexander Technique, Gyrotonics, continuing ed classes, whatever. You'll get some new vocabulary and ideas for your clients, and you'll stir up any static energy in your system!
I've noticed this myself, whenever I take private sessions for myself in any type of movement method, clients start pouring in. For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction!
Another benefit to taking lessons in your free time is networking with people in your line of work. When other professionals get to know you, they'll recommend you to people they know.
Good luck, and I hope my ideas were helpful for you!! Read more!