productivity Archives - Music Studio Startup

Systems for Music Studio Owners

May 28, 2018

automation, creativity, organization, productivity, studio management, systems, time management

I feel I need to be upfront here: I probably have an unhealthy relationship with systems. I get really annoyed when I have to expend creative energy on repetitive tasks. REALLY annoyed. (If you want to hear a rant, ask me how I feel about picking out fresh clothes to wear every. single. morning.) It…

Computer Backup the Easy Way

March 26, 2018

automation, insurance, organization, productivity, studio management, systems

A while back, I shared my Tech Disaster Preparedness Checklist. This list covered all the things I do to protect my tech from all the typical disasters: power surges, stolen devices, failed hard drives (all of which I have personally experienced!) and more. Now, it’s time to get real. Did you tell yourself, after reading…

My Business Goal-Setting Process

January 22, 2018

focus, goals, introspection, productivity, studio management, systems, time management

In my last post, I talked about some of the questions I reflect on when evaluating my previous year in business. After I’ve finished looking back, I get to do the fun part…looking forward and planning the future! When I threw out the idea of starting new year’s goals on January 1, I also threw…

Gift Guide for Entrepreneurial Music Teachers

November 27, 2017

goals, holiday, organization, productivity, studio management, systems, website, WordPress

With the new year just around the corner, I’m thinking a lot about the goals I have for my studio and business. Some of these goals require investing in equipment or software. Call me boring, but I’ve always been a big fan of practical gifts. When I put together my wishlist for the family gift…

Tech Disaster Preparedness Checklist

October 30, 2017

automation, organization, productivity, systems

They say the only certainties in life are death and taxes, but I’d like to add “technology failures” to that list. Someday it will happen to all of us: our laptop will crash, our iPad will take a dip in the pool, or a homeless guy will steal our phone while we’re at a church…

Scheduling Emails to Automate Recital Communication

October 2, 2017

automation, organization, productivity, studio management, systems

Last week I described how I communicate recital information to my studio families. This process includes sending a series of four emails to my studio families in the weeks leading up to the big day. I could put reminders in my calendar to send those emails on specific days, but why do that when I…

Recital Communication: A Week-by-Week Guide

September 25, 2017

automation, organization, productivity, studio management, systems, time management

I hear stories of teachers getting inundated by last minute questions from parents about recitals. “Where is the recital?” “What is Emma supposed to wear?” “Is Jack playing this piece or that one?” I confess, I have a hard time relating. It could be that I’m spoiled by exceptional studio parents (I think they’re pretty…

I Quit!

September 18, 2017

focus, introspection, productivity, time management

All my life, people have praised me for being “determined” like it’s a good thing. And it can be. Being determined has helped me achieve a lot. But sometimes, it holds me back. Sometimes it’s good to quit. To give up. To move on. And I’m really bad at that. The Side Project Earlier this…

How a Weekly Review Keeps Me on Track

July 10, 2017

introspection, organization, productivity, studio management, systems, time management

I’ve mentioned before that I use routines to manage my time and eliminate decision fatigue. “Use” might be a bit of an understatement. I probably abuse routines. I’m a routine addict. Whether it’s for blog writing, marathon training, recital planning, or birthday card sending, I have systems and routines in place to keep my business and…

9 Strategies to Overcome Distractions

May 15, 2017

productivity, time management

I need to write a blog post, but all I can think of is the package of delicious Double Stuf Oreos sitting in the kitchen. I could use them to bribe myself, but I already ate three… Let’s face it, self-discipline and focus can be hard when you are self-employed. Focus from Within It might…

Track Goal Progress in a Helpful Way

January 9, 2017

goals, productivity

I picked up one more insight from “The 12 Week Year” that is helping me track goal progress in a much more helpful way this year. It’s not a fancy tool or complicated system, it’s two simple definitions for the terms “lead” and “lag” indicators. This isn’t an original concept, but it’s one I hadn’t thought to…

Simplify Studio Email Communication with Yet Another Mail Merge

October 24, 2016

productivity, studio management, systems, time management

I discovered a new tool this summer that has me super excited because it has solved a major limitation in studio email communication. It’s a Google Sheets Add-On called “Yet Another Mail Merge.” Sounds sexy, doesn’t it? The Painful Way to Send Studio Emails Have you ever had to send and email to your whole…