Steve James wrote:I've known instructors in NYC that have started out two ways. The ones who were unknown asked for space to teach at an already established school. (Windy might know of one, Tony Chuy). Tony was a nice guy as I remember him and quite skilled in 7* mantis. He used to come out to visit teacher Brendan Lai when he was alive. He taught on Sunday afternoons at our school, run by his brother who started by teaching at Aaron Banks's school. Anyway, they started this way because they were unknown and needed a space. That might be the easy part.
Other teachers I know were well known before they came, and already had students. One gave classes at a local church, the other at a Buddhist temple. The thing is, both were professional people who weren't interested in earning a living. They gave whatever was donated to the church or temple.
So, if it's about spreading your art, there has to be a reason that students will come to you, even if you find a space. Needless to say, to maintaining or improving the art will take practice, and a partner. John Wang talked about having to pay people to practice with him. Market research will help. Who needs what you have to offer and where. You could volunteer at an institution, like a nursing home or a veteran's hospital. But, that is a responsibility, and won't necessarily drum up any business.
Well, my mom would say "First, get a job." And, I'd say "do what you love in your spare time." If you can manage to make your love your job, you won't be working anymore.
Being any kind of artist is a tough sell, in the world. That's why the adjective "starving" has gotten itself attached to "artist" as a prefix. The guys who know how to market, have the edge, but someone with an artist's heart can have a hard time doing something that they see as commercial and crass. Without the marketing (flyers, business cards, web page, etc.), though, who is going to know what you have, and of what value it is to them? As great as the skills may be, many a rose was born to blush unseen...
But if you have something to offer, I agree with Subitai that focusing on getting a handful of good students is the way to start
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