How to set up a Websta profile as a musician in Belgium

What a musician profile page should contain

Your Websta profile page is the first thing people see. It should tell them who you are and what you do, in a few seconds. Start with a clear photo of yourself - ideally one where you are recognizable and look professional. A second photo showing you playing, teaching, or in a performance setting helps people understand your work.

Write a short description of yourself and your experience. Say what instruments you play, what styles or genres you work in, and how long you have been doing this. If you teach, say which age groups or levels you work with. If you perform, mention where you usually play or what kind of events you do. Keep it simple and honest.

List your services. These might include live performance for events, private lessons, session work, composition, arrangement, or recording. Be specific about what you offer. If you teach piano lessons, say so. If you perform as a soloist at weddings or play in an ensemble, list both.

Add a booking or quote request form. This lets people contact you directly to ask questions or request your services. You can let them book a time slot if you offer lessons, or you can ask them to submit details about what they need so you can reply with a quote.

Include any credentials, qualifications, or notable work you want to highlight. If you have studied at a conservatory, won competitions, or performed at known venues, mention these. If you are a session musician or have released recordings, link to them if possible.

Publish in Dutch and French. Belgium has two main language communities. Dutch (Flemish) is spoken in Flanders in the north and west; French is spoken in Wallonia in the south. Brussels uses both. Publishing in both languages means more people can find you and understand what you do. If you work mainly in one region, at least that language is essential.

How people in Belgium search for musicians

People in Belgium look for musicians through Websta's marketplace. They search by service type - such as 'live musician', 'piano teacher', or 'session musician' - and by location. Websta then shows them providers nearby. This means your location (town and postal code) matters. Make sure your profile is set to the right place.

Some people search by instrument. If you play cello, harp, or trumpet, they will search for those words. Others search by genre or style - 'jazz musician', 'classical musician', 'folk musician'. If you work in a specific style, use those words in your description.

People also post tasks on the marketplace. They describe what they need - for example, 'I need a guitarist for my daughter's wedding' or 'I want to learn saxophone' - and musicians make offers on those tasks. Having a complete profile makes it more likely that people will contact you directly or consider your offer when you respond to a task.

Word of mouth still matters. Customers often ask for recommendations, and they may search for you by name. Having a real Websta profile means they find something professional when they look you up.

Working as an independent musician in Belgium

In Belgium, most musicians work as self-employed sole traders or as part of a small company. If you are self-employed and work regularly, you must register with the tax authorities. The rules and thresholds differ slightly between Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels, so check with your regional tax office or a local accountant about registration requirements in your area.

You will need a bank account to receive payments from customers. Websta uses Stripe to process card payments and transfers money to your own bank account. You set your own prices for services.

Keep records of your work and income for tax purposes. This is a legal requirement, not optional. If you teach, perform, or do session work, document it.

If you teach music lessons, check whether your region has any specific requirements for tutors or educators. Rules may differ between Flanders and Wallonia.

Consider insurance. If you perform at events, travel with instruments, or work in venues, basic liability or instrument insurance may be worth having. Ask an insurance broker about options for musicians.

If you perform in venues or at events, the venue or organizer usually handles performing rights societies (SABAM in Belgium). As a performer, you do not usually pay this yourself; it is the responsibility of the venue or event organizer. If you record or publish music, you may need to register with SABAM, but check their website for current requirements.

What to write in the first hour

You do not need a perfect profile to start. Here is what you can do in about an hour.

First, write a simple description. Two or three sentences: your name, what instrument or instruments you play, and what you do (teach, perform, compose, record). Example: 'I am a violinist with 15 years of experience. I teach beginners to advanced students and perform at weddings and chamber concerts across Belgium.'

List three to five services you offer. Write them clearly, like 'Private violin lessons', 'Live performance for events', 'Session recording'. Do not worry about pricing yet; you can add that later.

Upload a clear photo of yourself. It does not need to be professional, but it should be recent and show your face clearly. If you have a photo of yourself playing, add that too.

Set your location to the town or city where you work or live. This helps people find you.

Write a few lines about your background or experience. Where did you study, if at all? How long have you been doing this? What are you known for or what do you enjoy most about your work? Keep it to one short paragraph.

Set up a booking or quote request form. Decide whether you want to accept direct bookings with time slots (good for lessons) or ask people to describe what they need and request a quote. Either way, enable the contact form on your profile.

That is enough to start. You can improve the profile, add more photos, and refine your description over time.

Languages and local reach

Belgium is split between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia. Brussels uses both. Publishing your profile in both languages doubles your reach. Websta lets you publish different text in Dutch and French for the same profile.

If you work mainly in one region, publish in that region's language first. If you perform or teach in both regions or travel for work, both languages are worth doing.

Use clear, simple language. You are describing your work to people who may not know music terminology. 'I teach beginner piano' is better than 'I provide keyboard instruction for entry-level students'.

If you perform, mention the kinds of events you do. 'I play at weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events' tells people what they can book you for. 'I perform classical chamber music' tells them your style.

Finding and contacting customers

Once your profile is live, people can find you through Websta's marketplace. They can also contact you through the contact form on your profile.

You can also use the marketplace to respond to tasks. When someone posts a task - for example, 'I need a saxophone player for my event' - musicians can view it and make an offer. This is a way to find customers actively looking for your services.

Keep your response time short. If someone contacts you or posts a task, reply within a day or two. Most people expect to hear back quickly.

Be honest about what you can do and what you charge. If someone asks you to do something outside your skill set or availability, say so clearly. It is better to refer them to someone else than to take on work you cannot deliver.