Retaining learners is one of the most powerful ways to grow your teaching business. By increasing re-enrollments and building long-term relationships with families, you can maximize your earnings while reducing the time and effort spent on marketing.
This guide will explore the business impact of retention, share actionable strategies to keep families engaged, and highlight the lifetime value of a learner (LTV). Let’s unlock the secret to sustainable growth through strong retention practices!
Why Retention Matters for Your Business
Retention isn’t just about keeping learners in your classes—it’s a game-changer for your business’s success.
The Business Impact of Retention:
- Higher Earnings: Retaining learners reduces the need for constant new enrollments.
- Lower Marketing Effort: Satisfied families are more likely to re-enroll and recommend your classes to others.
- Stronger Relationships: Long-term learners build trust, loyalty, and community in your classes.
Understanding the Lifetime Value of a Learner (LTV):
- Example:
- A learner takes one $15 class = $15 earned.
- A learner who re-enrolls in five follow-up classes = $75 earned.
- A family with two learners enrolling in multiple classes = exponential growth.
Strategies for Keeping Families Engaged
Follow-Up Messages:
- Send personalized messages after each class to thank families, highlight learner progress, and suggest next steps.
- Example: “Hi [Parent’s Name], thank you for enrolling [Learner’s Name] in my Creative Writing class! They showed great creativity during our first session. If they enjoyed this class, they might love my Advanced Storytelling Techniques course. Let me know if you’d like more details!”
Class Pathways:
- Create structured pathways to guide learners through a series of related classes.
- Example Pathway:
- Beginner Guitar: Learn the Basics
- Intermediate Guitar: Mastering Chords
- Advanced Guitar: Play Like a Pro
- Example Pathway:
Personalized Touches:
- Show families you care by tailoring your communication.
- Examples:
- Celebrate learner milestones: “Great job on your first essay, [Learner’s Name]!”
- Recognize special occasions: “Congratulations on your student council election, [Learner’s Name]! What do you hope to accomplish?”
- Examples:
Pro Tip: Use Outschool’s messaging tools to make communication efficient and professional while maintaining a personal touch.
Turning Retention into a Sustainable Growth Strategy
Retention isn’t just about keeping learners—it’s about reducing effort while growing your income.
How Retention Reduces Marketing Effort:
- Families who love your classes naturally spread the word, acting as ambassadors for your business.
- Satisfied learners are more likely to enroll in follow-up classes, reducing the need to attract entirely new audiences.
Real-World Example:
- Educator A offers a one-time class that attracts 20 learners.
- 10 of those learners re-enroll in a follow-up class.
- Over six months, the educator builds a community of recurring learners, leading to steady, predictable income.
Building a Retention Plan
Steps to Implement Retention Strategies:
- Audit Your Current Classes: Identify popular classes with high re-enrollment potential.
- Design Follow-Up Offerings: Plan class pathways that naturally guide learners from one stage to the next.
- Communicate Regularly: Use follow-up messages to keep families engaged and informed about new offerings.
- Track Retention Rates: Use Outschool’s Insights Tab to monitor how many families re-enroll and which classes drive the most retention.
Pro Tip: Retention isn’t just about adding more classes—it’s about deepening relationships with your learners and families.
Start boosting your retention today! Use the strategies in this guide to create follow-up pathways, send personalized messages, and build long-term relationships with your learners.
