The internet boasts a plethora of apps and services to help musicians get connected with gigs and students and did so long before the pandemic. Chances are, in the last year you have found yourself even more curious about virtual networking possibilities and perhaps have even tried a few out. While the growing availability of online services may create new teaching opportunities and gig potential for harpists, the wide variety of platforms out there can also be daunting. Whether you are a teacher, freelancer, or both, making the decision to advertise your services virtually opens up a myriad of questions. Which site do I use? Is it reliable? How do I start? And perhaps most importantly, is it worth it? We are here to break things down for you with today’s most popular gig and lesson sites and insight directly from the harpists who use them. 

Gig Salad // gigsalad.com

Cost: $139–479/year, 2.5 percent booking fee

Pros: complete profile control, safe to use, direct deposit payment

Cons: clients compare rates, leads do not always contain complete information, price expectation of clients is low 

Types of gigs: all varieties based on your location

Gig Salad has a simple sign-up process that allows you to create your profile quickly. They offer two paid plans, with the option to bill every three months or annually for a savings. The Pro Plan starts at $139/three months ($359 annually) and gives you high visibility, access to client phone numbers, deposits up to $1,000, video and audio samples, and up to 50 photos. The Featured Plan starts at $169/three months ($479 annually), and compared to the Pro Plan, offers highest visibility, an average of 54 percent more leads due to that visibility, and greater deposit and photo upload limits. They do also occasionally offer discounts—50 percent off with code, etc.—so interested users can be on the lookout for them. While it’s not recommended as a main source of income for the gigging harpist, Gig Salad seems to provide gigs such as weddings, marriage proposals, and memorial services. Users recommend getting the full information for a lead before sending a bid to the client, and to resist the temptation to undercut other harpists—a temptation that is encouraged by Gig Salad’s price-shopping clients.

Melissa Gallant Indianapolis, Ind.

What harpists have to say about Gig Salad:

 “I have used Gig Salad for at least two to three years, and, overall, I would say it’s been worth it as one component of a balanced income stream. The direct deposit payment has been very reliable, and they have been very prompt and courteous when responding to my questions. I tend to get gigs that are not from my immediate area.” 

—Melissa Gallant

The Knot and Wedding Wire // theknot.com and weddingpro.com

Cost: varies

Pros: easy to use, quick setup, professional and uniform profile, The Knot app

Cons: one-year contract required, poor phone service in resolving issues

Types of Gigs: weddings

The Knot provides exposure for musicians interested exclusively in wedding bookings. Because of the variety of services The Knot offers for couples to assist in planning a wedding (wedding websites, registry, magazine), it is a frequently used search engine in finding wedding vendors. The Knot recently merged with Wedding Wire, providing a variety of options to users. Interested harpists can provide limited information online or by phone, and then will be contacted by an agent with pricing options, which vary based on location and demand. Musicians are offered plans with a variety of price points to choose from, some of which include advertising only with the Knot, only with the Wedding Wire, or both. These are all provided with a minimum one-year contract that renews automatically, subject to cancellation. The format of the site is uniform—all profiles are designed with a professional and sleek look that is easy to set up. If you’re looking for individuality in your profile, however, you will not find it here. The Knot also has a convenient mobile app that you can use to communicate with clients and update your profile. On your profile, you can indicate your geographic region, which allows for flexibility in broadening or limiting your reach. 

Jill Pitz
Indianapolis, Ind.

What harpists have to say about The Knot and Wedding Wire:

“I definitely think of The Knot as one other way of getting my name out there and have gotten my money’s worth. But don’t be pressured into something you’re not ready to get into, and remember that the contract renews automatically. The step-by-step application process is very easy to use.” 

—Jill Pitz

Alyson Kanne
New York, N.Y.

“I would recommend The Knot for anyone who is interested in seriously pursuing a career as a wedding harpist. Because of the one-year contract and monthly fee, it’s not something to be put on the back burner.” 

—Alyson Kanne

The Bash and Gig Masters // thebash.com

Cost: $299–499/year,  five percent booking fee

Pros: easy to use, customizable profile, Gig Masters app, 30-day money back guarantee

Cons: gig traffic and value strongly varies based on location and use

Types of Gigs: all varieties

The Bash, formerly Gig Masters, bases its payment plans on geographical exposure. The Basic Plan includes local leads within 100 miles of your location for $299/year, the Pro Plan offers regional leads within a 500 mile radius for $379/year, and the Gold Plan delivers nationwide exposure within 3,000 miles. Again, there are special offers on these rates throughout the year, so keep an eye out if you are interested in savings. In speaking with harpists with experience with this platform, success on The Bash varies greatly based on location. Additionally, you get out of it what you put in, meaning your profile visibility increases as your bookings increase. They do take a five percent cut for your bookings, but the 30-day money back guarantee is nice if you want to give it a trial run.

Harpist Hive Mind: 

Ask harpists in your area about their experience with The Bash if you are looking to get a local perspective on the service.

Entertainers Worldwide // entertainersworldwide.com

Cost: $8.33–$14.99/month

Pros: customizable profile, large variety, no commission

Cons: limited uploads to profile (audio/visual), bookings vary

Types of Gigs: unlimited

Entertainers Worldwide is built for adventurous musicians and is the main gigging site for gaining international traffic and opportunities. With a monthly, six-month, or 12-month subscription, you receive free emails and notifications about job offers in your field, including position applications and direct bookings. You can choose your own rates, and it does not take a fee out of your bookings. Opportunities range from the usual wedding gig or private party to virtual events and cruise ship positions. The site also includes articles of advice for eager entrepreneurs, and a job site with postings that is free for members or non-members to view. It’s also free to sign up for email notifications on new job listings without an account.

Tone Row // tonerow.com

Audience: conservatory-level instruction

Pricing: teacher-controlled with small fee added

Pros: high quality audio, clean design, reliable software

Cons: not group lesson/masterclass compatible, occasional small microphone glitches

Tone Row boasts a high level in harp—Emmanuel Ceysson, Elizabeth Hainen, Sivan Magan, and Jana Bouskova, to name a few. To join these ranks, you will need to apply to be considered, so have your CV, resume, and recording links ready. Tone Row uses its own unique, high-quality audio software and accepts payments through PayPal. Many of Tone Row’s harp teachers find themselves directing interested students to this platform, but it can also certainly be a site where harpists can surf for lessons with teachers with whom they have always hoped to study.

What Harpists Have to Say about Tone Row: 

“I started to use Tone Row at the beginning of the pandemic, since I could quickly see I’d be doing a lot of online teaching. It is very clean in all aspects—setup, IT support, and the audio is the best mechanism I’ve used. Tone Row’s payment method is very convenient, which makes it possible to set pricing for different students and takes the awkward discussion of money out of the equation.” 

—Elizabeth Hainen

Take Lessons // takelessons.com

Audience: all levels, multi-instrument

Pricing: free to join, 10-40 percent fee per lesson

Pros: convenience, cancellation policy, good support

Cons: student retention spotty, site occasionally gets bogged down

TakeLessons.com offers the opportunity for instructors to get connected with students and teach a variety of instruments. After the initial background check, there’s no cost to join. Bookkeeping is conveniently done for you by the site, and their cancellation policy helps set a standard for students, as well as protect and honor the time and talent of their teachers. Your teacher profile functions almost as a personal website, where you have the option to post reviews and specify the level you would like to teach. Teachers can teach from the site directly, using software provided by TakeLessons.com. The commission per lesson changes based on student retention; at the beginning it is a 60/40 split, and gradually the teacher keeps 10 percent more as the student continues to take lessons.

What harpists have to say about Take Lessons:

Sara Chasse
Bloomington, Ind.

“I have been using TakeLessons with multiple instruments for the past five years, and since moving to a new area it’s been helpful in getting new students. I’ve definitely had to get creative with teaching beginner harp students online! I’ve had hundreds of students in five years, but sometimes students don’t stay as long as you would like—others do. But that’s often just the way it is with online teaching and teaching in general. I’m thankful for TakeLessons!” 

—Sara Chasse

Virtu.Academy // www.virtu.academy

Audience: all levels

Pricing: site-controlled

Pros: teacher application/screening, good advertising, high retention rate, masterclass opportunities

Cons: pricing control, generalized pricing (all instruments)

Virtu.Academy promotes highly trained young professionals who are educated at the world’s top music schools and conservatories. The application process is selective and includes biographical information and an interview. Virtu.Academy controls the pricing, which is kept low and generalized for all instruments. Students can book a trial lesson and from there are given a variety of subscription and individual lesson options to continue with the teacher. Teachers can list their preferred teaching level, and the agency handles the rest, including privacy, safety, and advertising.

What harpists have to say about Virtu.Academy:

Violetta Norrie
New York, N.Y.

“I tend to have a good retention rate of students from Virtu, students come well-prepared, and it’s very easy to use. They’ve been very responsive and flexible, and advertising helps us get a lot of students.” 

—Violetta Norrie

Mélanie Genin, New York, N.Y.

“I was the first harpist hired by Virtu when I started teaching online in April at the start of the pandemic.  We have a studio class that meets every six weeks, which gives every student the opportunity to perform, practice critical listening, and feel a sense of community during this time. I’m currently developing a masterclass offering for Virtu as well that will be available for current and outside harpists. It is very gratifying to teach and transmit knowledge and also form relationships with students from across the globe. I recommend all online teachers think of ways they can work with the technology, not fight it.” 

—Mélanie Genin

Lessonface // lessonface.com

Audience: all levels, multi-instrument

Pricing: teacher-controlled, 15 percent of site referrals, four percent of teacher referrals

Pros: convenience, group class opportunities, IT support, Met Musician program

Cons: overall low site-generated harp interest, heavily geared towards piano/voice/guitar

Lessonface screens all teachers and offers a variety of private lesson, group class, and summer camp teaching options. Teachers set pricing and can teach multiple instruments, but Lessonface takes 15 percent of student bookings from its site, and four percent from your own recruits you send to the site. These percentages have been lowered due to the pandemic and could change at any time. Lessonface uses Zoom videoconferencing software, and keeps direct deposit payment, communication, and scheduling all within the site. Lessonface has partnered with the Met Orchestra Musicians to offer free public masterclasses and opportunities to book lessons with MET Musicians through the site. 

What harpists have to say about Lessonface:

Melanie Mashner, Indianapolis, Ind.

“I have found Lessonface to be a convenient platform to teach multiple instruments. They have growing Piano Pass and Kids Pass programs for group classes which I have been able to take advantage of. I love the convenience of having everything in one place, and their staff is wonderfully supportive of their teachers and quick to resolve any questions. They help promote their teachers and are very active in offering webinars that aid in online teaching. As far as harp students, I have mostly referred my own students to Lessonface so I can have everyone in one place.” 

—Melanie Mashner

Taking the plunge

If you want to broaden your reach for gigs and online teaching without doing all of the legwork yourself, then one of these services may be worth the investment for you. It is one more way to get your name out there, but it likely won’t become your main revenue stream. The effectiveness and pay of these services can vary widely based on location, so it is still best to do your research, talk to the harpists in your area to see what works for them, and then decide what will work for you. 

No matter how much you lean into tech to grow your harp business, don’t neglect the tried-and-true method of good old-fashioned  personal networking. You’ll still need it. Additionally, online services make it easier for clients to compare prices. As a virtual teacher or freelancer, it’s crucial to maintain the same ethical principles as with in-person performing and teaching, keeping a standard of consistent and fair pricing. It’s a brave, new virtual world out there. Make the most
of it.