Retention is the key to sustainable growth in your teaching business. Re-enrolling learners not only provides consistent income but also strengthens relationships with families who trust your teaching. By creating follow-up or related classes, you can build pathways that keep learners engaged and returning for more.
This guide will help you understand the importance of retention, offer actionable tips for creating follow-up classes, and show you how to structure class funnels that encourage continuity.
Why Retention and Re-Enrollment Matter
Acquiring new learners is important, but keeping your current ones is even more impactful:
- Consistency: Retention provides predictable income and more stable class attendance.
- Lower Effort: It’s easier to re-enroll a learner who already knows and trusts you than to attract a new one.
- Higher Value: Returning learners often enroll in more advanced classes or multiple sections, increasing their lifetime value to your business.
Pro Tip: Think of your classes as a journey for learners, where each step builds on the last. This keeps them engaged and excited to continue with you.
Creating Follow-Up or Related Classes
Step 1: Identify Natural Next Steps
Look at your current classes. What skills, topics, or interests could learners explore further?
- Example: If you teach “Intro to Creative Writing,” a natural follow-up might be “Advanced Storytelling Techniques.”
Step 2: Build on Learner Needs and Interests
Ask families or learners for feedback:
- “What would you like to learn next?”
- “Is there a specific topic you’d like to dive deeper into?”
Step 3: Expand with Variety
Offer related classes in different formats to meet diverse needs:
- 1:1 tutoring for personalized attention.
- Multi-day workshops for in-depth learning.
- One-time classes as fun refreshers or niche explorations.
Step 4: Design Follow-Up Classes Early
Plan follow-up classes before your initial class ends so you can promote them to learners while they’re still engaged.
Building Class Funnels
A class funnel is a pathway that guides learners through a series of classes, each designed to build on the previous one.
How to Structure Your Funnel:
- Entry Point:
- Your beginner-level class or a broad topic that appeals to many learners.
- Example: “Beginner’s Coding: Create Your First Game.”
- Intermediate Stage:
- A class that deepens skills or knowledge for learners ready to level up.
- Example: “Intermediate Coding: Building Multi-Level Games.”
- Advanced Stage:
- A specialized class for learners with advanced skills.
- Example: “Expert Coding: Master AI Game Design.”
Promoting the Funnel:
- Mention your follow-up classes during your first session.
- Send a personalized follow-up message to families highlighting next steps.
- Include clear pathways in your class descriptions (e.g., “Looking for more? Check out my Advanced Coding class!”).
Roadmap for Funneling Learners
Step 1: Start with your core class. What skills or knowledge does it introduce?
Step 2: Map out 1-2 logical follow-up classes for learners to progress into.
Step 3: Design your follow-up classes to build on the outcomes of your core class.
Step 4: Continuously improve your funnel based on learner feedback and enrollment trends.
Pro Tip: Visualize your funnel. Create a roadmap to outline how your classes connect and guide learners.
