Std Deviation

Not out of the question. Most of the schools I worked for did little or no marketing. Look at the demographic most likely to fly -disposable income and/or adventure seeking. Back in the day I ran a $15 ad in a newsletter at several local hospitals. Pulled a couple of docs from that. Also did the same thing with a newsletter for police/fire.

Get creative. Putting flyers on cars in the Walmart parking lot won't do it. Go to where the fish are. Country club newsletters are great. After you get a few, you've got word of mouth. I brought so many students to one school that they started giving me some of theirs because I was a producer.

I have even used the FAA database to identify private pilots that own their own aircraft and mailed them a postcard for instrument training or BFRs.

Think like a business person in addition to an instructor.

Ronaldo

Wow. Those are some good ideas! Back in my day, refereeing soccer games gave me about 1 game to 1hr of flight time. Unfortunately, the cost of flying has outpaced refereeing soccer games...

Craigslist maybe?

Std Deviation

Here's another one I did - partnered with 3 other CFIs and we each kicked in $150 ($600 total cost) to purchase a booth at a local weekend home and garden show in my city. We made sure someone staffed the booth all weekend (several thousand attendees). We handed out learn to fly brochures (obtained free from Gleim) along with our business cards and an invite for an introductory lesson. We placed a TV and VHS player on our table and ran looped aviation footage to attract attention.

Many of the people that attend home and garden shows are looking for additions, hot tubs, pools, remodeling, etc., i.e. stuff that's not cheap. Hence, they've got some money to spend. The other market there is business owners that exhibit. High end luxury home builders have some nice disposable income to put towards flying lessons. Several students (or even lessons) from the event made the weekend and the $150 worth it.

Most of my experience is in part 61 schools not associated with a university or professional tract pilots, so I had to survive generating students across the spectrum. I've had everyone from a female police officer to a zookeeper.

Maximus67

I completely understand you. I am commercial single and multiengine land instrument rated pilot with 436TT, 119 multi PIC and other good things. Unfortunately I don't have what have your CFI,II, MEI. But I am currently working on them.
I hear that from many pilots and I am sure you do too. Gotta be willing to relocate. I will as soon as I get my CFIs. Florida is the best place to work as CFI and build your time quick.

wrxpilot

I have to agree with Airhoss on this one... I lived in the Denver area almost my entire life, but it quickly became VERY clear I needed to leave when pursuing my aviation career. I left Denver for Florida to instruct, and it paid off well. Heck, I was typed in a corporate jet while some of my former CFIs in Denver were still struggling for hours.

It took about five years, but I'm back in Colorado again. It was well worth leaving (I'm sure glad to be back though!).

Systemized

Have you tried McAir @BJC?

Poudre Aviation @GXY might be looking for a CFI if you're willing to drive to Greeley.

Cubdriver

"Will not travel" and "want an entry-level flying job" are mutually exclusive ideas. Anyone who is not on probation or house arrest can travel like a hobo, cost is not really the issue. You will have a hard time even gathering part time CFI work in Denver with only an initial CFI. If you are just too broke to go now work for a month or two at Home Depot, buy an old car or van to live in for a few weeks, and then head out to Florida or California. See it as an adventure! Been there done it several times.

rno172

What I’m about to say is blunt but you need to hear it.

I have been where you have been, I couldn’t leave the Reno area for a number of years due to family problems/relationship/other commitments. And when I finally was able and did it was August 2008 and the recession was in full swing. So you can guess what happened. So the next few years I didn’t fly and did Commercial Real Estate. Which taught me to build and evaluate a business.

Something you’re going to find out though is there’s a lot of pilots who are great at flying but whose business sense is a ... joke. Airhoss your included with the above statement. Clients don’t come to you because they hear your awesomeness.

Here’s what we’re working with

1) You need money: Find a Part time job to at least get a revenue stream coming in.
2) You need airplanes: That flight school that said bring your own students and fly our airplanes. Go sign up.
3) You need students: You need to get your act together and figure out a marketing plan/ weekly schedule/etc.

Here’s the initial things we need to succeed.

1) Do you have business cards? If not get them now
2) Develop a sales pitch: Try something like “After your private license where do you see yourself flying” Oh in the bay area, you’re going to need a instrument rating.
3) What’s your marketing plan? Email me [email protected], I have a template you can use
4) What networking events are close to you? Look up breakthrough network, toastmasters, and anyone else who has mixers. Make sure they have disposable income. Go to EVERY one religiously. Dress neatly.
5) Craigslist: Make up a post and continually renew it. Also look up airplanes for sale and anything related to aviation. Call the people and determine their needs. Is it a BFR, Another rating, IPC?
6) Is there a university, coffee shops, hospital? Make up flyers and post them up around your target demographics.
7) Do you have a linked in profile? Get one
8) Do you have a Facebook profile? Get one, Be sure to post student achievements or good flights with pictures.
9) What are the base industry’s in your area? Find out and market to them.
10) Get a website. People check you out on your website before they fly with you. Like googling a date and making sure she doesn’t have an ex-husband and 5 kids.
11) Search you tube on how to get flight students. There’s some really good ones on getting flying students.
12) Read: There's some great books on flight instruction marketing and marketing in general.
13) Start a database and track pilots/people. keep in regular contact.

Most importantly learn how to sell. And I don’t mean the used car salesman crap. Selling involves learning about client needs, wants, handling objections, and ability’s. When you put your clients’ needs first and not your own you gain their loyalty. So start reading. Start with Og Mandino’s the greatest salesman in the world.

Now why should you do any of this? Simple if your 35 or under you’re not going to have the same job stability our parents had. You’re not going to work for 30 years for Delta then retire at 60 and live the good life in your RV. Ours is the first generation that is having a noticeably lower standard of living than any of the previous generations. Which means you’re not going to have job stability, a retirement, or even kids unless you learn business skills and how to make your own money.