The most challenging part of teaching online as a freelancer is finding new students to fill your classes. I’m Jamie, and I started freelance online teaching in 2020. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to use social media to attract new students to your online classes.
Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps me continue to create free content for teachers. Thank you!
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Optimizing Your Social Media to Attract Online Students
Social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok have over 1 billion active users each month. The best part about using social media is that it’s free to create an account and post! However, it’s important to optimize your social media profiles to make it easier to connect with your ideal student.
Choose a Teaching Niche
The first step is to define your teaching niche. A teaching niche is a specialized area that targets a specific group of learners with unique needs, interests, or goals. Instead of targeting “all learners, all levels,” which inevitably leads to no one signing up, you want to target specific learners who are ready to join your classes because they feel seen.
To choose a teaching niche, you’ll want to consider your qualifications, what you are passionate about, and what is in demand. Do some market research (Google searches, comments on Reddit or in Facebook groups, survey actual students, etc.) to determine if there is enough demand for your niche.
If you want to specialize in an area of ESL like pronunciation, Business English, or test prep, I recommend the micro-credential courses from Bridge TEFL. These quick mini-courses are the perfect supplement to a regular TEFL course. Click here to learn more and use code JamieESL10 at checkout to get an additional 10% off any course.
Social Media Bio Student Transformation Statement
In your social media bio, use the formula: “I help (type of person) (transformation).”
The transformation is what students can expect to achieve after working with you.
For example, “I help Spanish Speakers prepare for and pass Cambridge English exams.”
“I help first graders learn to read in 90 days.”
“I help people traveling to Spain learn survival Spanish before their trip.”
The goal is for your ideal student to say, “That’s exactly what I’m looking for!”
Call to Action
In your social media bio and every time you post, include a call to action (CTA) such as:
- Send me a DM (direct message)
- Visit my website for more details
- Download my free guide
- Fill out my survey (I like Google Forms)
- Send me an email
- Book a trial class
Tip: Choose ONE call to action per post. If you confuse, you lose. If people are told to do too many things, they end up doing nothing.
Social Media Profile and Username
Your profile and username (social media handle) should make it clear that you’re a teacher. Choose something related to your name and/or teaching niche. The more searchable, the better.
For example, @BusinessEnglishwithJamie @TeacherJamie @LearnwithJamie @LearnSpanishwithJamie
Once you have chosen your username, reserve it on ALL platforms, even if you are not using them to find students. This way, no one else can take that name, and it won’t lead to confusion or issues later.
Quick Action Steps
Step 1: Choose a username and reserve it on all platforms.
Step 2: Update your social media bio with your student transformation statement.
Step 3: Add a Call to Action so students can get in contact with you. Depending on the platform you choose, it may be a link, your email address, etc.
How to Find Students: Choose What Content to Post
The next step in finding the right students is to determine what content to post. You aim to be the “go-to expert” in your field. To begin, post helpful, actionable content as well as student testimonials, behind-the-scenes peeks at your classes, and posts about your life inside and out of the classroom. You can also give potential students “quick wins” by providing resources, short tutorial videos, or tips.
Post Ideas:
- “3 phrases for polite business emails in English”
- “Common IELTS writing mistakes and how to fix them”
- “Top tips for improving pronunciation for Spanish speakers”
- “Get ready with me to teach an online class”
- “Student achievements of the month”
- “How I became an online teacher”
Create a Content Calendar
A content calendar is a schedule for planning and organizing your posts. As teachers, we are always busy, so it’s great to be able to plan ahead and have posts go up automatically. I personally use a scheduling tool called Metricool to schedule my social media posts.
When you are first getting started, consistency is more important than posting every day. Posting consistently 2-3 times per week leads to more interaction and less burnout than trying to post 5-7 times a week.
Content Pillars
Content pillars can help make planning easier and content more predictable for your followers. For example, you could post a vocabulary tip every Monday, a student testimonial or promo every Wednesday, a short tutorial video every Thursday, and a personal post every weekend.
How to Choose Which Social Media Platform to Use to Find Students
The best social media platform to choose isn’t the one you love the most; it’s the one where your ideal student “hangs out.” For example, if you want to target Business English students, LinkedIn will be a better option than Instagram.
Each social media platform also has unique features that may be better suited to one type of content than to another. If your ideal student wants to learn pronunciation and could benefit from videos, you might be better off using platforms that specialize in short-form video.
Also keep in mind that different platforms have different “lifespans” in terms of how long content is shown to new audiences. YouTube videos are highly searchable and can be found much longer than short videos on TikTok or Instagram, for example.
Quick Action Steps
- Choose one or two platforms and master them. Only add another platform if you have mastered the first two. This helps to maximize your efficiency and prevent burnout.
- Try out all the features of your chosen platforms. For example, on Instgram you can post on your feed, Stories, Reels, go live, chat in DMs, and even cross-post with other teachers or creators.
- Stay consistent. Posting regularly is the key to mastering how to find students on any platform.
Create a Brand Kit as a Freelance Online Teacher
A brand kit (specific colors, fonts, and logos) helps your profile look more polished and professional. Consistency in your content makes your personal brand memorable for students. If I asked you what the brand colors for Coca-Cola were, would you be able to tell me instantly? This is because they are consistent in their branding.
To create a brand kit:
- Choose 2-4 colors (I like using the website Coolers color palette generator to help create cohesive looks)
- Choose three fonts for header, subheadings, and body text.
- Create a professional logo. I recommend hiring a designer from Fiverr for this and asking for the original source file.
- Use clear, bright, and professional-looking images in your bio and materials.
Social Media Best Practices
How to Find Students on Instagram
- Use as many Instagram features as you can: live videos, Stories, Reels, carousel posts, chatting in messages, etc.
- Engage with followers through Stories and polls.
- Respond to comments and DMs.
- Collaborate with other teachers or creators to reach new audiences. You can tag them in a post and it will appear on both of your feeds.
- Keep your posting schedule consistent.
TikTok Best Practices
- Have a “hook” in the first two seconds to grab potential students’ attention.
- Touch on your students’ pain points. Example: “Struggling with pronunciation? Try this tip.”
- Use a mix of trending audio and your original content.
- Videos on TikTok are less professional-looking and more genuine.
How to Find Students on Facebook
- Start a business page and a private group with a title that includes key words.
- Schedule Instagram posts to repost to your Facebook page in Meta Business Suite automatically.
- Use polls to interact with your students and learn about their needs.
- Create shareable posts.
YouTube Best Practices
- Optimize your video titles and description. Use keywords for both regular videos and Shorts to ensure they are searchable.
- Create playlists so students can binge-watch on your content. In this way, students can see your teaching style.
- Post demo videos of your lessons, helpful tutorials, or even interviews with current students.
How to Find Students on LinkedIn
- Not many creators are posting on LinkedIn. Fewer users mean less competition.
- Optimize your profile. Example: “Online English Coach for Professionals”
- Start a page for your online business so you can link it as your workplace on your LinkedIn profile.
Tips on Growing Your Teaching Business
Now that you know how to use social media to find students for online teaching, there are a few tips to turn social media into a sustainable tool.
- Take time to reply to DMs and comments with meaningful responses. Messages are where connections are made, and these conversations can turn into real students.
- Provide your students with what they asked for, as quickly as you can. When you post a poll, for example, take action on the results.
- Create a forum or space where former and current students can interact.
- Send surveys to your students to gain feedback about your classes. This will give you some ideas for what to include in your social media messaging for future students.
Summary
Finding students to teach online using social media is built on genuine connection and trust. People won’t book until they feel confident that you are right fit for them, whether it be your personality or teaching style. While sharing helpful tips and tricks is good, sharing a bit of your life and work is best to help students know, like, and trust you enough to book.
Want to Learn More?
Learn more about how to establish your own freelance online teaching business through my course, the ESL Teacher 365 Freelance Online Teaching Course. Click here to see when the next cohort opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Which social media is the best for finding students for online teaching?
Answer: The best platform depends on your target audience. You need to choose the platform where your potential students are active. For example, LinkedIn is best for people wanting to work with Business English learners.
Question: What should I post on my social media to attract online students?
Answer: Share short, practical lessons and helpful tips related to your niche. Examples include pronunciation exercises, grammar hacks, or cultural insights. Consistent, valuable content helps potential students see you as an expert and encourages them to book lessons with you. It’s also important to post sneak peeks of your online classroom and your lifestyle/personality.
Question: Do I need to pay for ads to find online students?
Answer: No, you don’t have to. Many teachers successfully learn how to find students organically through social media, referrals, and content marketing. Paid ads can accelerate results later, but it’s best to start with free platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube to test your message first.
