Navigating Feedback and Pivoting in the Online Music Education Industry

When I started this blog series, I eagerly awaited feedback on my application to join the Self-Employment program at Douglas College. Over the past month, I have shared my experiences and research, documenting my journey to start a small business in online music education. In this last instalment, I will delve into the valuable feedback I received from Business Advisors at the program. Let’s explore their insights and how they have influenced my path forward in this dynamic industry.

Feedback Overview

The advisors provided a comprehensive assessment of my proposed business concept, highlighting its strengths, as well as areas of concern. It’s important to note that their evaluation considered various factors to provide a holistic view of the situation.

Niche Market and Limited Demand

While my proposed business model is highly niche, with minimal direct competition, the feedback raised valid points about the challenge of demonstrating clear market demand for specialized services. Existing music schools indirectly pose a competitive threat by offering a wider range of classes and credentials. This raises important questions about how to incentivize potential customers to choose my limited course offerings.

Insufficient Demand and Financial Viability

Market research revealed a lack of sufficient demand for online music education outside of formal educational institutions. Building a financially viable business requires a steady stream of revenue from a significant number of students per year. Unfortunately, my current research does not indicate the desired level of demand, which poses a significant obstacle to the long-term sustainability of my proposed business.

High Start-up Costs and Mitigating Risk

The feedback highlighted the substantial start-up expenses connected to my business model. I would need to minimize expenses, specifically where there are uncertain sales projections and no secured contracts or agreements with educational institutions. The recommended start-up costs for most home businesses in the program range within a few thousand dollars, making my proposed expenditure appear excessive and overly risky.

Insights from Peer Review

Besides the valuable feedback from the program advisors, I also sought insights from my network, including a former coach, now full-time author, David R. Packer. His recommendations provide a valuable perspective on developing a comprehensive marketing strategy in this competitive landscape. Some of his key insights include:

1. Prioritize content creation over Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

2. Engage in marketing efforts only after achieving a revenue of at least six figures.

3. Focus on creating educational content and establishing a sales funnel before investing in marketing.

4. Customize the buyer process for each platform.

5. Host products on my website to retain control over customer data.

Next Steps

While the feedback highlighted challenges and limitations, it also opened up new possibilities and a chance for reflection. Considering my advisor’s suggestions, I am exploring the idea of pursuing my business concept as a side-hustle or hobby, minimizing expenses by utilizing existing technology and materials. Simultaneously, I am actively exploring alternative employment options that leverage my education and knowledge in the field.

Receiving feedback on my proposed online music education business was an invaluable learning experience. It brought to light valid concerns regarding market demand, competition, financial viability, and start-up costs. However, it also ignited a spark of innovation and resilience within me. I will contemplate the insights shared by both the program advisors and peers, leveraging my expertise to find the right path for my skills and knowledge.

Even as this blog series concludes, my motivation to continue writing and sharing my expertise remains unwavering. Teaching is a fulfilling career path I am passionate about, and I believe there is still much to explore within my niche. I am considering using my blog as a platform to share a wide range of interests, including music, games, creative processes, and personal growth. Join me on this exciting journey of discovery and transformation as I create engaging content and explore new avenues to make a meaningful impact in the online education industry.

This article is a rewrite of my blog post, “Navigating Feedback on My Proposed Online Music Education Business”, originally posted on my website on February 1st, 2024.