The past week I had a couple of possible clients inquiring about drumming lessons. The usual questions were asked and my usual, professional response was given. This blog will give a relative accurate account on the events that followed and my reason for writing this week’s blog.
To continue, I explained in detail exactly the way forward regarding the procedure and what I will be doing from my side to get the potential student started. I gave advice on whether or not a full drum set is needed, what to look out for when buying one, how the lessons will commence and all the related questions and answers that come, with starting lessons.
All went well and then the question regarding the rates for my packages came up. The usual reply was given by the client, that it needed to be discussed and that they will get back to me. In this one case, they didn’t get back to me, but I followed up after a couple of days.
To make a long story short, or maybe that’s too late, I was informed that other quotes were compared to mine and were considerably lower. This made me think about what “entitles” me to a certain rate and why other “tutors” are more, or less expensive than I am.
I came to the collective conclusion that there are certain things that must be present that I personally feel have to be part of a good tutor’s “package” when inquiring about lessons.
- Is the tutor registered at a regulated acknowledged organisation.
- How long has the tutor been in the music industry.
- Is it a hobby for the tutor or a career.
- Does the tutor run a certain international accredited curriculum.
- Does the curriculum carry any credits as proof of level of playing.
There are many other criteria to be considered, but the main thing that I always want to know, when I want something done worth paying for, is if the person giving the service, is a professional in the field or just using a hobby for an extra income on the side?
One thing that you as a potential client reading the blog, or just someone that stumbled upon it, can be sure of, at Olckers Drumming all of the above criteria and so much more are met.
What I personally make sure of when starting the journey with a student, is that a life long skill is taught and for the same amount that you will most probably spend on a “quick” sky dive or bungee experience, you can invest in lessons, that you will enjoy for the rest of your life!
I will end with this,
“If you pay in peanuts, you will get monkeys” – unknown
Have a super productive week!
Corné Olckers / Owner / Olckers Drumming