How to create a killer teacher profile

Have you signed up to teach on a platform that requires you to market yourself to students? Most English teaching platforms online nowadays require teachers to create a profile that students will read or watch to decide which teacher is right for them.

So how exactly do you create a successful teacher profile so that your schedule fills up with regular students?

1. It’s all about you

Wrong. Your profile needs to tell students what you can offer THEM. What can you do to help them achieve their goals? Why will they enjoy your lessons?

2. Create your niche.

I’m sure you’re a multitalented teacher with skills perfect for teaching anyone and everyone, and while on some platforms this could be helpful to begin with, it probably won’t lead you to a regular full calendar of returning students. Returning students want a teacher that is specialized in their area of need. Are you great at teaching children? If so, mention briefly that you are available to teach all ages but stress your strengths in teaching younger learners. Have you got years of experience teaching Cambridge exams to students applying to university? Did you love it? If so, showcase these skills in your profile.

3. Know your skillset. Charge accordingly.

On some platforms you have the chance to charge your own rate, while on others you are paid a standard minute/hourly rate. It is important to understand your skillset and how much each type of lesson is worth. Make sure you are getting paid accordingly to the amount of preparation and effort you put into your classes. For example, a teacher can charge significantly more than a general conversation class for an hours IELTS exam class because a higher level of specific knowledge and materials are required. Some teachers even decide to charge more if they offer homework and outside class time marking. This is very important to think about when you are paid by your company at a set rate; there is little point in offering IELTS expertise when you could decide to niche down in something that requires a lot less preparation and effort such as pronunciation and intonation coaching, or reading practice.

3. Share your professional experience

Students want to see your credentials as an overview requirement, so state these neatly and simply at the top of your profile. Choose the most recent or the most relevant teaching experience to talk about and make sure to explain how the experience is relevant to the students learning experience. For example, I have 2 years of experience teaching English online to young learners from China, I gained valuable confidence teaching remotely and I expanded my knowledge of common mistakes made by Chinese learners; I can use this knowledge to help the adult learner on your platform.

4. Be a real person.

Anyone can have a degree, a TEFL certificate, and 5 years of experience teaching. What makes you a real person? Give your student a way to connect with you. Talk about your non-work life experiences. Do you like to travel? Why? Where have you been? What do you like to do in your daily spare time? - Create talking points and points of shared interest with your students.

5. Share your passion.

I think that the key to a great profile is passion and character! You have decided to become an English teacher, and you’re honored to be teaching these students. Why? What is it about online teaching that you love? If you can elicit emotion from your students in your profile, they will get a glimpse of what it feels like to be in your classroom. Are you loud and funny in your classes? Tell a joke! Do you like facts? Share one! Are you a kind, patient, and supportive teacher? If so, make sure to come across this way in your profile. The majority of students will choose their teacher because they sound like they will get on well with them in their class. So really you’re advertising yourself as an informative friend!

6. Be organized.

Nobody likes reading essays, so don’t write one! Use paragraphs. Ask questions. On some platforms, it can be advantageous to use emojis in your profile to make it more colorful especially if children will be looking at it with their parents.