Thread: What advice can you give about giving private classes and getting paid?

I'm new to teaching and I'm very excited to share my passion with others. now My question is when someone wants to book you for a series of private classes, lets say 8 in total, how should you charge them, not what is the rate you charge but more should you expect to get paid up front? What is the typical thing that teachers usually do? Do you charge the total up front, do you allow them to pay as you go, or every time you show up for the private lesson, what do you normally do in this case? Any advice will be helpful, thank you!

I've only taught 'packages' of private lessons to small groups. In those situations, I've had them pay me up front for the whole package. Otherwise you get involved in all sorts of issues (Suzy can't come this week and the others don't want to pay her share... etc) and too much classtime is wasted divvying up the cost and collecting from everyone.

For individuals, you could work it either way I suppose. Pay-as-you-go seems more natural-feeling to me for some reason -- but on the other hand, if you're asking a teacher to commit to a certain schedule (and perhaps book a space as well?) it's not unreasonable to pay her, or at least some sort of deposit on the package up front.

Pay total up front. Give a class card in return. Makes the book keeping much easier.
Set a time limit for class card expiration, to keep students accountable and keep control of your accounting.

I ask for a deposit to cover the studio hire for all the lessons, then the student pays the balance on the day. This came about after a student cancelled on me 5 minutes (!) before the lesson was due to start so I was stuck with the studio costs.

Thank you ladies, some good pointers so far! I'm learning alot! Well actually this is a friend of a friend, and I've agreed to start teaching her in her home, I don't have a studio, and I just want to start out and see how it goes with this person. I'm not sure how to charge since I'm not going to be renting a studio for the moment, would it be acceptable to ask for payment up front, half now and half later, or pay as you go? What would you do in this setting?

I do pay-as-you-go but I'm not currently renting out a studio, either. If I had to rent out space, this method might not work out.

I have a private class rate and a separate, discounted rate for people who are regular students (either people who are enrolled in my regular group class--which right now is hypothetical since I don't have a group class--or people who take regular privates with me).

Be sure to check rates for your area before deciding yours. You don't want to undercut, but it's not unreasonable to set up a discounted rate if she will be taking regular privates with you. However, since you will be going to her and not the other way around, be sure to add in travel time and costs so that you are not undercutting yourself.

Thank you yameyameyame, that makes sense, I will offer her the option of paying either up front or pay as you go, and of course I will not undercut, heaven forbid! lol I've already checked the rates in my area, I'm going to be charging the normal for private classes in my area. Ok what would you consider adding as you say travel time and costs? I am traveling to her, so I would have to factor in gas expense? Is this what you mean?

Since she is a friend of a friend, I think you would be safe with pay-as-you-go if you like. If she were totally unknown to you, I might suggest pay-up-front until you feel comfortable enough with her to switch to pay-as-you-go if you want to.

Thank you everyone,

I decided to offer my new student the option of either paying up front with a discount, or pay as you go at the regular rate, I'm going to let her decide, and see how it goes, I have my first class with her this weekend! So let's see how it goes, then hopefully if all goes well, she'll tell her friends, etc. etc.
Thanks again!