Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

stacey_dream · 03-11-2011 01:36 AM

To begin with, I'm gonna write what situation I'm having now:
- working week - 6 days, Saturday - day off
- about 2-6 lessons a day, 45-90 min - each lesson
- 1-2 students at a lesson
- $8 an hour
- dependence on the health issues and other personal problems of mine and my students
- no office - working at home. On the one hand, nothing is spent for rent, on the other hand, it feels like there's no home...

My plan is:
- at least 20 students by July, in groups of 2-4
- office
- higher price (no less than $10 an hour)
- a teacher to work instead of me in case I'm ill etc
- $2000 monthly income (now it's about $300-$500)

THe first step is - better service for my current students, because they are my best promoters.

Good luck to me and you!

stacey_dream · 03-11-2011 04:14 PM

This is definitely my biggest problem: I spend spend spend! I feel like, well, you never know when you're gonna die - so why why saving money? Go and spend! But to get closer to my goal, I should try to cut down my spendings. I decided to have just enough pocket money to live through the day and no more. I'm a book addict - always buy books, but I think I should try to stop for some time. Today I've saved $80! Good start!

stacey_dream · 03-14-2011 07:51 PM

One more problem I'm facing is my dependence on the season and, as follows, on the health issues and weather (which leaves mush to be desired here in winter). Some possible ways to solve the problem:
- To improve the system of online lessons
- Find another teacher to substitute me
- Have my students pay for a month which will make them attend all the lessons

May be you can advice me something, I'll appreciate it!

stacey_dream · 03-16-2011 05:28 PM

I made some calculations the other day. To earn $2000 a month a have a few options:

- I can have about 8 private face-to-face lessons (60 min) a day and charge about $15 for each
- or I can have several groups of 2-4 students in each and charge them $8-12 per lesson (90 min), depending on the number of students. This way I'll be able to work less hours a day or earn even more than $2000 a month.

Again, we remember about my dependence on the weather and health issues, I still haven't decided how to overcome them.

Anyways, the idea to teach in groups seems more preferable to me now. As soon as I graduate I might give it a try. For now, I keep on working with my 12 students, from which there are only 2 groups of 2. I don't charge anybody more yet, as I haven't analysed all the options.

Evvie Sands · 03-17-2011 05:51 AM

Hi Stacey, good to see another ESL teacher in the forum, too. I've been teaching for the last 10 years and, in my case, I have students for the curricular year (March to Nov here) and they sit for a final exam at a large institution I'm affiliated to. They pay a monthly fee during those months (from $ 25 to $ 60, depending on the level), but I also tutor for specific school exams, in which case I charge by the hour (about $ 5).
What advertising methods are you using for getting new students?
Have you tried giving away flyers?

stacey_dream · 03-20-2011 03:57 PM

Hello, Evvie! The pleasure is all mine! I'm glad ESL teachers are trying to make a fortune as well

I'm not so experienced as you are, even though I've been learning English for about 15 years now. I've been teaching for more than 2 years, but teaching has always been my hobby and I'd even say my talent. So, in my case I hope the experience won't prevent me from reaching my goals!
I used to work at a language school, which offers both group and private lessons for students with different levels. I used to make about $300-500 a month working every day, Saturday including. The system was similar to yours, but I felt like I was attracting more clients to the school, but didn't get more financial feedback.
Now I'm not advertising my work, my students are doing it for me. My students continue their education, don't quit, and at the same time new people appear from time to time. I always offer a free lesson to the student who advised me to their friends (my new students). This way I make my satisfied students even happier!
Speaking about advertising, Firstly I'd have to rent an office (now I'm working at home). I'm planning on doing it next summer, now I'm trying to work harder and satisfy the needs of my clients to the best of my abilities. One of the things I'm going to do is making visiting cards and handing them out to my students and the people I know might need my help.

(03-17-2011 05:51 AM)Evvie Sands Wrote: Hi Stacey, good to see another ESL teacher in the forum, too. I've been teaching for the last 10 years and, in my case, I have students for the curricular year (March to Nov here) and they sit for a final exam at a large institution I'm affiliated to. They pay a monthly fee during those months (from $ 25 to $ 60, depending on the level), but I also tutor for specific school exams, in which case I charge by the hour (about $ 5).
What advertising methods are you using for getting new students?
Have you tried giving away flyers?

stacey_dream · 03-25-2011 12:06 AM

March hasn't even come to the end, but I've already made $400 which is a lot more than in February. I even worked on Sunday when my students couldn't come on Saturday. Of course it's far from the planned $2000, but I'm on my way to success! In summer I'm planning to start a new educational program, more intensive, with more lessons a week. I also want to advice some of my students to attend the lessons 2-3 times a week instead of 1. I also want to create a few groups to practice Spoken English. I know I need more time for that, because now I start feeling exhausted - too much to do. But in May I'll be less busy (I'll be writing my Diploma and preparing for the Finals, which in my case doesn't take more than a few days) - so I'll be finally able to get down to work and start making a serious plan for my business. I believe I can make even more than $2000 a month, but first I should get rid of the things that occupy all my time: school, TV (I try not to watch it anymore), Internet (except for my working purposes), telephone, going out too much (which is not typical of me, but still), complaining and moaning, sleeping for more than 9 hours, etc.

stacey_dream · 03-27-2011 08:58 PM

My plan and the steps:
[ ] at least 20 students by July, mainly in groups of 2-4, $8-12 per 90 min from each
- advertising online and through my students, handing out my visiting cards
- print visiting cards
- tracking the wins of my former and current students and providing my prospective students with the references
- keeping my current students
- becoming friends
- working 2-3 times a week
- help with buying books and other materials
- system of discounts and bonuses
[ ] office
- rent an office close to my house with Internet connection
[ ] higher price (no less than $10 an hour)
- create a questionnaire to count the final price for the student (personalization of the price)
- higher price for face-to-face lessons and lower - for groups
[ ] a teacher to work instead of me in case I'm ill etc
- teach them to work by my methodology
- create a friendly supporting atmosphere, make the teacher devoted to our business
[ ] $2000 monthly income (now it's about $300-$500)
[ ] better service for my current students, because they are my best promoters
- comfortable office
- tea/coffee/juice
- online support
- competitions and gifts
- preparing a personal learning plan with the check dates
[ ] To improve the system of online lessons
- plan the topics for online lessons based on different level of English
- make the system to Analise the improvement of the student's knowledge
[ ] Have my students pay for a month which will make them attend all the lessons
- offer several ways to pay

stacey_dream · 03-29-2011 07:18 PM

The first thing to do when I come back from Turkey is the registration of my business. It's gonna cost about $30, which is not much. I'm not going to hire any people at the beginning, but I might use one substitute teacher in the cases of emergency. I'm going to work mostly with the groups of adults and teenagers. Face-to-face lessons will cost more on order to make my clients gather in groups. My current students will be offered some bonuses and a lower price. I'll do my best to make their learning process fun!

stacey_dream · 03-30-2011 11:46 PM

After I've read a lot of books about success, I decided to choose 2 days off instead of 1. All the people I love have Saturday and Sunday off, and I have only Sunday. That's why I have no time for them. I want to be able to visit with my grandparents and parents, spend time with husband and friends - no matter how much money you have, only people matter.

So I'm going to offer several options to my students as for when to attend my lessons and how much to pay. I'm going to rise the price a little - for children and for the lessons on Sat. and Sun. This way my students will be able to choose the best option for them.

I'm also planning to write a book about learning a foreign language. I haven't decided yet which language to use - Russian or English. May be both.

These are only plans, let's make the first step!

stacey_dream · 04-02-2011 09:45 PM

I've generated 3 times more than in February - $500. It's the maximum I've ever earned working by myself.

I've sent out my resume to try myself as an interpreter. This way I'll be able to earn more.

julzie · 04-03-2011 02:33 AM

Hi Stacey - congratulations on achieving your best ever sales month! That is a great feeling and a great achievement, now you can aim a little bit higher and just keep thinking of new ways to up your income, I like your idea of proactively putting yourself out there to get work as an interpreter! Good luck with that!

Julz x

Celes · 04-03-2011 02:34 AM

Stacey, congratulations! That's amazing :clap:

Can't wait till the earnings update for Week 4 - be sure to share it with the team!

stacey_dream · 04-04-2011 05:05 PM

Girls, thank you so much for your support! I've just read your messages and feel so excited to achieve even better results!

Interpreters are not in need in my city, unfortunately, but I still think I can find another way of earning more. I also started reading a book about Teaching English, want to keep up with the progress in this field.

stacey_dream · 04-07-2011 09:28 PM

I've sent out an ad to my friends and former students and there already a few people ready to become my students in May (when I come back from my vacation). That's a positive sign. There are already about 17 students willing to work with me! yay

Celes · 04-08-2011 02:46 AM

Hey stacey! I was looking at the earnings thread and don't recall seeing your name there. I think you had missed out on the earnings update for Month 1. The next update is for Month 2 (May 10), so be sure to report your earnings then!

By the way, awesome job with MDC and your best life journal! I'm very impressed by your consistent updates

Keep going - you're clearly on the right path!

stacey_dream · 04-14-2011 02:26 PM

(04-08-2011 02:46 AM)Celes Wrote: Hey stacey! I was looking at the earnings thread and don't recall seeing your name there. I think you had missed out on the earnings update for Month 1. The next update is for Month 2 (May 10), so be sure to report your earnings then!

By the way, awesome job with MDC and your best life journal! I'm very impressed by your consistent updates Keep going - you're clearly on the right path!

Hi Celes, I think I've missed it, but I'll try to report this time - I'm going on holiday in 2 weks, so I'll check my earnings right before it.

stacey_dream · 04-18-2011 01:05 AM

As I've already mentioned, I'm going to rent an office after Turkey. And today a great idea came to my mind (according to The Secret and The Law Of Attraction, we attract everything we truly want, so I guess this is the example of my strong desire). Anyway, I decided to offer my best friend to rent a flat together. She's been looking for it for some time, but she can't afford to live alone - too expensive. I live with my husband, but today I understood that we could rent a flat together - I'd use it during the day for my work and she's live there (after work and at weekends I will be gone). This way we'd both save money - because renting an office is more expensive than an appartment. And an office doesn't go with a kitchen

So we discussed it today and were very excited! It can't be better!

Know what you want, and it will come to your life in an unexpected way!

Celes · 04-18-2011 07:39 AM

(04-14-2011 02:26 PM)stacey_dream Wrote: Hi Celes, I think I've missed it, but I'll try to report this time - I'm going on holiday in 2 weks, so I'll check my earnings right before it.

Hey Stacey, no problem! For convenience of all members, I've now set the earnings update to be on an ongoing basis (rather than on a fixed date of each month), so just hop on in with your latest earnings whenever you have something new to report. I'll add it when I consolidate the group's earnings each week.

stacey_dream · 04-22-2011 11:48 AM

Embrace Your Financial Goal – What is your biggest financial goal now? How much do you want to earn?
I decided to change my plans a little - I wanted to have a monthly profit of $2000, but I think it's not a good idea to aim for a monthly figure. I might have $1000 in July but $3000 in August. So I want to earn $20000 by the end of the year.

How do you intend to create this $X of value to others? Brainstorm on as many ways as possible.
I can teach them English: in person, in small groups, teach different aspects, start a training (a few days of only English), help my students online (it's not being practiced in my town now), translate texts and documents, work as an interpreter, etc
I can advise people how to act in different situations, try myself as a Life Coach (I have a Certificate in Psychology and know this subject pretty well): online, in person, maybe even as a part of my English lessons, I could aim my blog at this as well.
I can help people plan their future, set goals and achieve them. I can start with my students and help them create a good plan for learning the language and achieving maximum out of their knowledge (for teenagers it could be the possibility of going to the usa etc).

My Degrees are Journalism and English LInguistics. Maybe you could help me find other ways of being valuable to people. :idea:

Threaded Mode \| Linear Mode Stacey's MDC Journal
Author	Message