How to Stand Out on Online Teaching Platforms
This blog will discuss how to stand out on online teaching platforms as they are getting more and more competitive, especially the big names out there. Most teachers want to teach on the most popular platforms and competition can get fierce. There are a number of things that you can do to make sure you stand out from the crowd and so that students can book you to be their teacher.
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Different Types of Online Teaching Platforms
When it comes to teaching online there are two main ways you can teach. One is an online teaching platform, a general online teaching platform offered by a company and the other one is a tutor marketplace platform. The main difference between an online teaching platform and a tutor marketplace platform is that on an online teaching platform, the platform would match you with students and they automatically assign students to you. They also give you the lesson material, they give you the curriculum, they in some cases, tell you exactly how you should teach it.
With a tutor marketplace platform it's a little bit different because you have you upload your profile. You fill out your profile on their pages and then the students browse all the profiles and will decide which teacher they choose based on what they see in the profile. What is good about a tutor marketplace is that you can actually set your own rates and you can set your own hours. You do however have to create your own teaching material and set up your own lesson structure and lesson planning. This does give you a lot of flexibility and freedom but you need to do your own marketing.
Importance of Presenting Yourself on the Platform
It is incredibly important how you present yourself on the platform and obviously you want to present yourself in the best way possible to attract the maximum number of students. Marketplace platforms connect teachers with students who can browse the profiles and pick a teacher that they like. The platform also takes a commission for each lesson you complete via the platform and this is usually around 20 to 30 percent of your hourly rate. Typically the longer you are with this platform the lower this commission rate will be.
Popular Online Teaching Platforms
These commission rates vary from platform to platform and they all use certain milestones to calculate it. Things like, how good your reviews are, the longer you are with them and the more popular you are as a teacher. As a freelance English teacher when you are on a platform like this, you'll get to choose your own hours and your rates typically and you can fill out your available schedule.
There are literally hundreds of online teaching platforms. Some examples of the more popular tutor marketplace platforms are; Preply, italki and Cambly.
Tips to Stand Out on Teaching Marketplaces
Now we have covered how the systems work we can look what can you do to stand out on a teacher marketplace and other platforms.
Tip 1: Think Like a Student
Many marketplaces have hundreds maybe thousands of teachers who are already on the platform, so why would a student you need want to take your lessons?
Tip number one: You should think like a student, or actually be a student. Before you even set up your profile you should explore the platform from the perspective of a student and take note of how other tutors present themselves. Check out all the tutors with the highest ratings, the best ratings and the best reviews. What do they do and why do people pick them. Sign-up as a student so you can then browse all the profiles (under cover) and make some notes. Look for the first thing you notice in a tutor profile and write that down as a positive thing that you see. Look for highly rated tutors, read their reviews, and watch their introduction videos to determine what makes them appealing. Also, check the prices, lesson types, and the average rate of the teachers on the platform. Based on your research, create a concise but informative profile that highlights your qualifications, experience, and interests.
Tip 2: Keep it short and simple
Don't write long paragraphs about yourself; instead, keep it simple and straightforward. State your experience, qualifications, and certifications related to ESL, such as a TEFL certificate. Also, include your hobbies and interests, which can make you more relatable and interesting to students. If you try to appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one. Be honest about your interests and share what you're passionate about.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to stand out on online teaching platforms, you need to present yourself well, do your research, and create a concise but informative profile that highlights your qualifications and interests. By following these tips, you can attract more students and succeed in the competitive world of online teaching.
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