Potential Students

At Rihisi, we want to help you attract more learners and earn a higher income. One of the ways you can do that is by responding to potential students promptly and with a compelling message. In this article we’ll break down how to identify potential students, why it’s important to get back to them and how to respond.

What are potential students?

Potential students are learners who have shown some form of interest in a tutor. To help students pick the right teacher for their goals, Rihisi triggers a message when students searching for a tutor take certain actions. The respective tutor receives this message, encouraging them to get in touch with the student.

At Rihisi, we put these messages into 2 categories:

1. Favorites: when a student adds you to their list of “favorite” tutors

2. Incomplete booking: when a student starts to book a trial lesson with you but doesn’t finish their booking

Why you should respond to potential students

Potential students searching for tutors value responses from tutors as it helps them clarify any doubts and make their decision. Tutors who respond show professionalism, dedication, and a genuine interest in meeting the needs of students. Responding leads to a positive user experience, builds trust, and increases the likelihood of turning interested students into successful and long-term tutoring relationships.

We know some tutors think that responding to potential students seems pushy, or that students who are truly interested in you will book a class anyway. But our own data shows that replying to them and doing it promptly can give students the encouragement they need to start their learning journey with you:

Favorites: If you respond to students who add you to their list of favorites, you are 50 times more likely to work with them 🤯
Incomplete booking: Responding to students who don’t complete their booking will increase your chances of working with them by 20 times, or by 35 times if you reply within 10 minutes ⌚

The data is clear: responding to potential students has a direct impact on attracting learners and growing your tutoring business. But we also know that sometimes you may not want to take on new learners. If this is the case, remember to hide your profile until you are ready to work with new students. This will stop you from receiving messages about potential students.

How to respond to potential students

You need to write a concise and compelling response that encourages students to start learning with you. Follow these best practices when replying:

Reply quickly: aim to respond promptly to show you are enthusiastic about teaching them.
Personalize your message: Tailor your response to the students’ needs and learning goals.
Be friendly and welcoming: Use an approachable tone to make the student feel comfortable and encourage them to engage further.
Offer your support: Let the student know you are there to help them and offer to resolve any questions they have.
Highlight your experience: Mention your qualifications, experience or teaching techniques to build trust and confidence in your abilities as a tutor.
Include a call-to-action: End your response with a clear call-to-action, such as booking a trial lesson or asking the student to reach out with further questions.

Still unsure of how to respond? Here are a couple of example replies to the two different types of messages you can get from potential students:

1. Favorites: If a learner adds you to their list of favorites, there’s a high chance they’re considering you. To stand out amongst the competition, respond quickly to learn more about their goals:

“Hello Antonio! Thank you for taking an interest in my lessons. I’m a certified English language tutor with 10+ years’ experience, and my classes focus on speaking and developing fluency. Could you tell me more about your experience in learning English and your goals? To get a better sense of my teaching style, you can book a trial lesson where I'll assess your level and learning needs. I'll then develop a personalized learning plan for you, so that you can decide if you'd like to continue your classes with me. Let me know if you have any questions 🙂”

2. Incomplete booking: At this point a learner is seriously considering working with you and may need a small nudge to help them make the booking or persuade them that you’re the right match:

“Hi Antonio, I noticed that you tried to book a lesson with me. I'd really like to help you improve your English. Let me know if you had any trouble booking or if you have any questions that I can help you with. If you couldn’t find a time slot that works for your schedule, I’d be happy to discuss opening more slots so we can find a suitable time for the both of us. Talk to you soon!”

Responding to potential students quickly and effectively can have a very positive impact on your tutoring business. Pay close attention to them and remember to tailor your responses to the students’ needs and the type of message.

For more tips on how to be successful on Rihisi, check out our Academy and Tutors Community!