Why it matters: Your profile picture is the first thing students will notice when they visit your profile. A clear and professional photo can increase the likelihood that students will choose you as their educator.
Tips for a great profile picture:
Appearance: Make sure you look approachable and friendly. Smile naturally, avoid heavy filters, and dress appropriately for a professional setting.
Quality: Use a high-resolution image. Avoid blurry or pixelated photos.
Background: Choose a clean, uncluttered background. A neutral or plain background works best.
Lighting: Ensure good lighting on your face. Natural light is preferable, but if indoors, use soft artificial lighting to avoid harsh shadows.
2. Biography:
Why it matters: Your biography provides an introduction to your teaching style and personality. It’s your chance to let students know what sets you apart from other educators.
Tips for a compelling biography:
Be personal but professional: Share your passion for teaching and why you love educating. Students connect better with educators who are enthusiastic and approachable.
Highlight your expertise: Mention any specialized knowledge or niches you cover. For example, if you teach specialized subjects like programming or test preparation, highlight those.
Explain your teaching approach: Talk about how you interact with students, how you tailor lessons to individual needs, and the types of materials or teaching strategies you use.
Set expectations: Let students know what they can expect from your lessons in terms of learning outcomes, class structure, and your communication style.
3. Qualifications:
Why it matters: Qualifications help build trust with students and parents. Students want to know that their educator is well-qualified to teach the subjects they are seeking help with.
What to include:
Degrees and Academic Credentials: Mention your highest degree, the institution from which you graduated, and the field of study. This could include diplomas, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degrees.
Certifications: Include any relevant teaching certifications, subject-specific certifications, or professional qualifications that make you an expert in the subject you teach. For example, TEFL certification for English teachers, or coding bootcamps for programming instructors.
Specialized Training or Workshops: If you’ve attended any specialized teaching workshops, courses, or conferences, include them. This shows you’re committed to continuous learning and improvement.
4. Teaching Experience:
Why it matters: Your experience is crucial in demonstrating your ability to teach effectively. Students want to know that they are learning from someone who has successfully taught before and can handle a variety of educational challenges.
What to include:
Years of Teaching Experience: Mention how long you’ve been teaching and the subjects you’ve taught.
Experience in Different Educational Environments: If you’ve taught in a classroom setting, online, or in hybrid environments, note that. It’s especially valuable if you have experience teaching in different contexts, such as tutoring, school-based teaching, or corporate training.
Student Demographics: Highlight the age groups or types of students you’ve taught (e.g., children, teenagers, adults, university students, or professionals).
Success Stories: If applicable, briefly mention any positive outcomes you’ve had with students (e.g., improved grades, successfully passing exams, or acquiring new skills).
Online Teaching Experience: If you’ve taught online before, mention the platforms or tools you’ve used (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.), which reassures students that you are comfortable with remote teaching.
5. Hourly Rate:
Why it matters: Your rate tells students about the value they can expect from your classes. Setting a clear and competitive rate ensures that both you and your students understand the financial expectations.
What to include:
Competitive Pricing: Research the average rate for educators in your subject area and adjust your rate according to your experience, qualifications, and the market demand.
Consider Flexibility: As you build your reputation, you can adjust your rate based on student demand and the number of positive reviews you receive. Consider offering a discounted rate for first-time students or during promotional periods.
Be Transparent: Clearly communicate whether the rate is for a single class, a group class, or a package deal. Specify if there are any additional fees (e.g., for special materials, late bookings, or cancellations).
Offer Different Payment Tiers: If possible, offer different pricing based on the student’s needs, such as one-on-one sessions or group classes at different rates.
6. Availability:
Why it matters: A clear and flexible schedule helps students easily book sessions with you. Being able to adjust your availability also allows you to reach students across different time zones.
What to include:
Set Your Availability: Indicate the days and times you are available to teach. Ensure that your availability is up-to-date and accurately reflects your current schedule.
Consider Time Zones: If you teach international students, clearly note the time zone you’re in and how students from other regions can align with your availability. Tools like Google Calendar or scheduling apps can help streamline this process.
Be Flexible: While it’s important to have consistent hours, being flexible with your time can attract more students. Consider offering evening or weekend availability for students who can’t attend during typical working hours.
Update Your Availability Regularly: Ensure that any changes to your schedule (vacations, special events, etc.) are updated on your profile.
7. Reviews and Ratings:
Why it matters: Positive reviews and ratings help build your credibility and establish trust with new students. A strong feedback profile will make you stand out and attract more students.
What to include:
Encourage Feedback: After each class, kindly ask students to leave a review or rating. Provide clear instructions on how they can leave feedback through the platform.
Respond to Feedback: If students leave comments, try to respond where appropriate. Acknowledge positive feedback and address any areas of improvement politely and professionally.
Focus on Continuous Improvement: Use constructive criticism to improve your teaching methods. Regularly evaluate your lessons based on student feedback to refine your approach and enhance your teaching skills.
Highlight Positive Reviews: Display testimonials or specific positive feedback (with the student's permission) on your profile. A few strong, positive reviews can significantly boost your profile’s attractiveness
