Desperately Seeking Help!!!!

[David_lynn]

Hi all, spent some time browsing the various threads on here and it seems you all are way ahead of, or in other words already in business and are looking to expand etc....I, on the other hand, haven't even planted the little seedling yet and I have no idea really where to start. I have an idea of what I want the finished product to be, but that's about it. Maybe if I run through what i want to create, someone might have some information for me as to where I might make a start. Basically, I want to start a Music Training Academy, to involve instrument tuition, and also group tuition for things like bands, orchestras for the more experienced. There doesn't really seem to be anything like this anywhere except for the major ones like London School of Music and similar institutions. So where do I start, how much will it cost me, can I get funding.....I have so many questions and probably more that I haven't even thought of yet.......any ideas?......anyone?????

[CoventrySpartans]

It may be worthwhile looking into a franchise similar to one like this

http://www.soundstepsmusic.co.uk/franchise.htm

It may not be exactly what you are after but could assist with a startup and you could build from there.

[FaerieB]

Hi David

You might be best re-posting this in the main General Business Forum ... hardly anyone will see it in here :) x

[missdetermination]

I would get you crb done, get some flyers made up and start advertising tuition in local post offices/schools/childrens centres. Could you approach schools to see if there's an after school type club you could start offering tuition?

Make a couple of phone calls, put a few local adds out, it wont cost much and you can gauge the interest. Should get you started. Keep the vision of the academy as its a long journey but enjoy :)

[matt5791]

It sounds like an interesting idea.

My advise is to start small - start in your living room if necessary and grow from there. You would be amazed how little money your could start a business like that for. The trick is not to try to be big before you start - you have to begin small. just one or two customers and grow from there - sure you may have to adapt the way the business operates at first - you might not be able to offer all your ideas to start with, but whilst it sounds boring, if you do it this way you have a much better chance of building a solid foundation and a profitable business.

Matt.

[deniser]

There is definitely a gap in the market for this sort of thing as long as you select the right area as some areas are oversupplied with music provision and others have none.

There is so much you can do from teaching toddlers general music and then stringed instruments in groups (they run amazing programmes at Trinity and Guildhall), to music theory grade 5 classes to teens learning rock guitar.

The elderly also are a good target market as they often learn a new instrument in retirement.

There's also very limited opportunity for chamber music anywhere unless you go on special courses so that would appeal across the board.

Have a look at the Italia Conti model. They rent a local school on Saturdays and then run hourly classes and you can sign up to as many or as few as you like.

You could have for example a Glee type choir, an orchestra, wind band, string orchestra, theory classes, individual tuition - so many people would love this to be available on a weekend - Alexander technique, composition, even GCSE music maybe, rock music, chamber music, barbershop, opera singing, percussion workshops, musical theatre, there's just so much you could do. LOVE IT and nothing like this exists as far as I know.

[Birmingham]

let me know if you want help on the internet marketing side of things, i work for birmingham web development partnership which is a local web design & marketing charity, no costs involved for basic services

[JamesCartwright]

I think following the sentiments of others in the topic, I would reccommend taking it step-by-step. You've got the idea in place, which is the difficulty in starting many business. The process of going about it can be aided by consultants and business advisors, if thats a road you would think about considering.

There's also a number of questions you need to get clear. Are you going to be a sole trader, or a limited company? If you're forming a company, are you going to go it alone or through an agent?

If you decide you'd like to go down the road of company formation, I am more than happy to reccomend a company for you. Let me know, and I'll reply in more detail of that process if you desire.

Kind regards

James

[GWilliams]

As everything that is successful the key is research and see if there is a market that wants this, then establish who and then you can decide how to attack it.
There are so many options but I would find out the above first with this.

Feel free to give me a shout as we are a marketing company but i would never want to take your money and nor should anyone else but they will so get your plan first.