Musician profile on Websta: what to include in the UK

What sections your Websta profile should have

Your profile page acts like a simple website. Start with a clear photo of yourself - this is what appears first when someone finds your profile. Write a short description of who you are and what you do. If you teach violin, if you perform at weddings, if you work as a session musician or lead an ensemble, say so plainly.

Add a services section. List the specific things you offer. Examples: classical violin lessons for beginners, jazz saxophone for intermediate players, live wedding ceremony music, function band booking, recording session work, or coaching for music theory. Be clear about what each service includes - for instance, are lessons 30 minutes or an hour, do you travel to the client or do they come to you, what repertoire do you work with.

Upload photos that show your work. A professional headshot matters. If you perform, include photos of you playing at a venue, in a recording studio or at an event. If you teach, a photo of your teaching space helps. If you're part of a group, include that too. Photos are the first thing people use to decide whether to contact you.

Add a contact form so people can send you messages directly through Websta. You can also enable online booking if you offer services at set times - for instance, weekly lesson slots. For services where you need to discuss details first, use quote requests instead. People will describe what they need and you can respond with what you offer.

Languages for your UK profile

Publish your profile in English. This is the standard language for business services across the United Kingdom. If you're fluent in another language and want to reach specific communities - for instance, you teach Spanish guitar and want to reach Spanish speakers, or you perform for cultural events - you can add a second language profile, but English should be your main one.

How people in the UK search for musicians

People find musicians on Websta through the marketplace by service type and location. Someone looking for violin lessons in Manchester will search for 'violin' and enter their postcode or town. Someone planning a wedding in Edinburgh and needing live music will search for 'wedding musician' or 'function band' with their location. If you offer multiple services - say, teaching and performance work - make sure each is listed separately so you appear in relevant searches.

Your location matters. Websta shows providers who are nearby or willing to travel. Be clear in your profile about where you're based and whether you travel to clients, teach from home, work in a studio or perform at venues. This helps people decide if you're a good fit for what they need.

Legal and practical things to sort out

As an independent musician in the United Kingdom, you need to be registered with HMRC for tax purposes if you're self-employed. This is a legal requirement. Contact HMRC or check their website for current guidance on registering as self-employed and what records you need to keep.

If you employ other musicians or contractors, you'll have additional obligations around National Insurance and payroll. If you work alone, you still need to file tax returns and keep records of your income and expenses.

Insurance is worth checking. Professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance can protect you depending on what you do. Talk to an insurance broker about what's relevant for your work - for instance, if you perform at events or teach in clients' homes, your needs may differ from someone who teaches in a fixed studio.

If you teach music, you may need to check DBS requirements (Disclosure and Barring Service checks) depending on whether you teach children. Standards vary, so verify this with your local authority or the organisation you work for.

Payment handling: Websta processes card payments through Stripe and pays the money into your own bank account. Make sure you have a UK bank account set up before you start taking bookings.

What to write in your first hour

Start with your profile photo and a one-sentence description of what you do. Example: 'Classical violinist offering lessons and wedding performances in the North West' or 'Jazz saxophone player - lessons, private events and session work'. This takes ten minutes.

List your main services - three to five to start with. For each one, write two or three sentences explaining what it includes and who it's for. Teaching piano to adults. Wedding ceremony music for up to 50 guests. This takes twenty minutes.

Write a short paragraph about your background and experience. Mention any qualifications or experience that matter to clients - for instance, 'Grade 8 distinction in violin, ten years teaching experience, performed at weddings across the UK' or 'session bassist, worked with touring bands, available for studio work and events'. Keep it factual. This takes fifteen minutes.

Upload your best photo and one or two more if you have them ready. This takes ten minutes. You now have a working profile that people can contact you through. You can add more detail later - more photos, a longer biography, client testimonials - but this foundation is enough to start.

Setting your own prices and managing bookings

You set your own prices for each service. You can change them at any time. When someone books or requests a quote through Websta, you handle the agreement directly - what the service includes, how long it runs, where it happens and any other details specific to that client.

Use the booking feature if you have fixed availability - for instance, you teach piano lessons every Tuesday and Thursday evening at set times. Use quote requests if you need to discuss the details first - for instance, a couple wants live music at their wedding and you need to know the date, venue size and their music preferences before you can confirm.

Payment comes to your own bank account through Stripe once the service is complete or the client has paid. You manage your own invoicing and records for tax purposes.

Growing your profile over time

After your first week, add a few more photos as you have them - your playing space, a recent performance or event, any equipment that's relevant. Ask past clients or students if they'd be willing to share a short note about working with you; these help new people decide to contact you.

Keep your availability updated so people know when they can book or when you're next taking on new clients. If you're based across multiple locations - for instance, you teach in two cities - you can note that in your profile description.

Respond to enquiries quickly. People looking for musicians often need to book within a few weeks, so a prompt reply makes a difference.