How to Spark Connection and Engagement on Instagram
Someone asked an interesting question in our Smart Teacher’s Library forum the other day: “What is a connection with your followers on Instagram and how do you know when you have it?” To help explore this topic today I’ve invited Elfin Waters, who is an online...
How to Create Friendly and Memorable Images on Instagram
Now that you’ve updated your Instagram bio so it’s clear and compelling, let’s look at another important aspect of building your community on Instagram — visual storytelling. I’ve noticed that it’s one of the things that’s hard to understand because there’s usually an...
How to Write a Stellar Instagram Bio for Your Language Teaching Profile
Does your Instagram bio look like an itemized emoji list that consists of unconnected words and phrases? Do you run out of space trying to explain to the newcomers what exactly you do, for whom and why? Do you wonder how to communicate your business vision in a couple...
How to build tension in your marketing without sneaky gimmicks
Tension is everywhere. It’s what keeps you turning pages when you read your favorite book. It forces you to binge-watch that endless Netflix show even though tomorrow you have to get to work early (Downton Abbey, anyone?). It’s what builds (or destroys) your...
How to Overcome a Fixed Mindset When You Teach Online
“These people won’t pay me more than $25 an hour. Why would they? There are many others who charge less and do the same kind of stuff.” In the past several weeks, two of my clients have sold 4-figure packages. These are the same people who just three years ago...
6 Roadblocks That Keep You From Launching Your Online Course (and how to crush them)
Summers are a slow season for online teachers, a time of reflection and creativity. It’s the time to try out something new and begin dreaming new dreams for your business. Maybe you should raise your price? Find new clients? Do something different on Instagram? Maybe...
How to Stand Out as a Radiant Brand When You Teach Languages Online
Dana teaches Italian online. But so does Erika. And Chiara. And Aurora. And Sofia. And Greta. And Federico. And Gabriele. And Lorenzo. And Alessandro. All of them have Instagram accounts called @ItalianWith________ (insert a name). All of them hate...
How Offering Less Will Help You Sell More Online Courses: A Case Study
“I want to create an online course where theater geeks can improve their English by immersing themselves into their favorite plays and musicals,” Denis* tells me. He’s an online English teacher who has a brilliant idea for a niche. He’s enthusiastic and passionate and...
Why I Decided to Delete my Facebook Group After 3.5 Productive Years
In one of her recent podcasts Jocelyn K. Glei shared a quote by Clayton Christensen, “Questions are what opens up space in your mind for an answer. If you don’t ask a question then the answer has nowhere to go.” A week ago we had a lively discussion in the...