1. Be thorough.
The more thoroughly you fill out your profile, the more likely you are to show up in a search. Maybe a student needs a French speaking teacher, but you didn’t indicate any languages. That means you wouldn’t show up on their search for digital French-speaking balboa pivates.
Likewise, really live it up in that open-ended “about” section. Try to answer the following:
What’s a unique aspect of learning with you? Even teachers who don't feel unique have something unique. Maybe you're super encouraging in class. Maybe you can diagnose dance-ailments faster than House M.D. If you can't tell what makes you different, ask a colleague or previous student.
What does “good dancing” mean to you? Is dance all about creating art, or mastering technique, or embodying the music? Every teacher has a unique philosophy. Yours might be exactly what the talent-seeker is looking for.
2. Show, don’t tell.
Don’t get me wrong - I believe you that you’re super awesome. But it makes a world of difference to see for myself just what kind of awesome you are. So list links to videos of you dancing, teaching, monologuing about the last episode of Stranger Things -- Whatever. Just something to give your students an idea of how you communicate and what you’re like. Seeing you in action fills in color to your personality and helps you feel like more than just another name in a list.
3. Fear-not the pricing.
Don’t be afraid to go low.
If your hourly price sets you apart, don’t be afraid to list it. Many people would love to take a lesson with a teacher new to the teaching-scene when they know they’re getting a great deal.
So don’t be afraid to be competitive.
Don’t be afraid to go high.
To the highly sought-after teachers who know what your work’s worth: don’t be afraid to charge a high rate that reflects that. Students and organizers understand that price scales with your experience and ability. And by maintaining a wage for yourself that is both livable and respectable, you’re holding the bar higher for everyone; You’re furthering the expectation that we need to pay our artists, and you’re cultivating a culture that continues to understand that having a job that is fun never means someone should do that job for free.
If you’re good at it, charge like you are.
Don’t be afraid to omit your pricing.
Many instructors prefer more of a “inquire within for pricing” kind of approach. You are not required to list your prices, so be as public or private with costs as you like.