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Becoming a pole instructor
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Well said Charley! Sorry to hear you’ve gone through a difficult time with things lately. Just remember through it all, there are a lot of people that love & support you in all the hard work you do- whether we’re actively there for you on a day to day basis or in brief times of passing here online. I hope you continue to enjoy teaching your passion regardless of the situation you’re finding yourself in or if you find it necessary to take a break for your own well being, your students will still be there to see you through. I too was put through a similar situation & having had your support during a difficult time means so much to me. I’m in a better place now & couldn’t thank all you ladies enough for all the support and wisdom you shared, without it I wouldn’t be where I am today.
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As a studio owner I have some insight on the question about the financial expectations of instructor salaries.
It is very difficult as a studio owner to make your business self-supporting. So many people walk into a studio and count heads and say "This is a great way to make money"
I have seen 6 studios open and then close their businesses within the past 2 years in the Chicago area! It's not easy. Especially if you do it legally!
That includes – in addition to the usual costs of rent, utitlities, payroll, etc – insurance, music licensing, investments in training yourself and your instructors, advertising, etc.
Many studios do not run legally. They incorrectly use independent contractors and are running a huge risk of being nailed by the IRS who is cracking down on the use of independent contractors. This is a commonly misused relationship within the fitness industry and just because others are doing it (and so far getting away with it) doesn't mean it will be safe for you to do so.
As an employee…make certain that you are not hired as an independent contractor only to be told what hours you work, what curriculum you are teaching, or that your students "belong" to the studio. As an independent contractor they are YOUR customers and if you leave those clients remain yours if you choose to take them with you!
As an IC you cannot be told you have to attend meetings for the staff, that you have to work outside events, etc.
Employees can be asked to work extra for events, parties, expos, staff meetings etc…AND they must be paid for these functions!
As an employee OR independent contractor…don't quit your regular job if you need a full time source of income! If studio owners have to work so hard just to make a minimal profit, you definitely cannot expect to live off an instructor's salary unless you only need part time income to begin with.
As an "employee" some studios pay by the hour or by the class. I've seen ranges from $12 an hour to $25 and from $20 to $45 per class.
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Empyrean – Thanks for your info, I had thought as much re: the difficulty of financially succeeding as a pole studio owner. I would love to open my onw, there is a demand and absolute no competition for about 400kilometers radius of where I live, but the initial output of money is terrifying. As you said, there are alot of expenses, and it must take time to build a strong client base and find great instructors.
Charley – Gosh, I am so glad you shared the downsides of being a pole instructor… because now I know to be wary of being taken advantage of and leaving myself vulnerable.
Both of you mentioned rights of the instructor to their programs/routines/performances etc. I think it's great that we can individualise and recognise the creators. Just because you are working for a studio or franchise shouldn't mean that everything your do/say/invent should automatically become their property.
Charley I think I know what you mean about the difference between being an instructor and a performer. One is more service based I guess, requiring patience and the communicatio of information, the other is more about art and expression. But i guess both call on your creativity and pole skill.
Hmmm lots to think about…. I think I would only want to be an instructor in a studio that really inspires and supports me. Since there are so many different studios out there with different styles/values/goals etc I am sure only some would appeal to each individual. I hope we all find what we are looking for and soon! 🙂
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If you want to teach for yourself you could maybe rent out cheap office space or you could you rent space from a fitness or dance studio. That's how I got started teaching. I only had 4 poles but I could take up to 8 people and classes were really fun. 🙂
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