When it comes to filling your classes, timing is everything. Scheduling strategically can help you maximize enrollments by meeting your target audience where they are—literally and figuratively. Whether you’re teaching learners in your time zone or across the globe, a well-thought-out schedule can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to align your schedule with your audience’s needs, experiment with different time slots, and manage time zones to reach more families.
Aligning Your Schedule with Your Audience’s Needs
Understanding your target audience is the first step in creating a schedule that works.
Key Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Who are my learners? Are they school-aged children, homeschoolers, or a mix of both?
- What does their typical day look like? Consider their routines, extracurricular activities, and peak learning times.
- What does their availability look like? After-school hours, weekends, or daytime slots for homeschoolers?
General Guidelines for Popular Time Slots:
- After-School Hours: Ideal for children engaged in traditional schooling (e.g., 4 PM–7 PM local time).
- Weekends: Great for families looking for enrichment opportunities (e.g., 9 AM–12 PM or 3 PM–5 PM).
- Daytime Slots: Perfect for homeschool learners (e.g., 10 AM–2 PM).
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about your audience’s preferences, start with one or two slots in each category and adjust based on enrollment trends.
Experimenting with Different Time Slots
Don’t be afraid to try different times to see what works best.
Tips for Testing Time Slots:
- Start Small: Offer 2–3 sections of the same class at different times.
- Analyze Trends: Monitor which sections fill up the fastest.
- Rotate Slots: Consider rotating time slots each term to capture different audiences.
Example Schedule Testing Plan:
- Weekdays: Offer one class at 4 PM and another at 6 PM.
- Weekends: Offer a morning class at 10 AM and an afternoon class at 3 PM.
- Homeschool Focus: Add a daytime slot at 11 AM during weekdays.
Managing Multiple Time Zones for Global Learners
As an Outschool educator, your learners may come from around the world. Managing multiple time zones can feel daunting, but with a few strategies, you can make it work seamlessly.
Time Zone Tips:
- Use Time Zone Conversion Tools: Websites and apps like World Time Buddy can help you easily compare time zones.
- Schedule in UTC: When promoting classes globally, listing times in UTC can avoid confusion.
- Offer Variety: Include classes at times that work for international learners (e.g., early mornings or late evenings in your local time).
Example of a Global-Friendly Schedule:
- 7 AM (Your Time): Captures learners in Europe.
- 4 PM (Your Time): Ideal for local learners.
- 8 PM (Your Time): Reaches families in Asia-Pacific.
Ready to optimize your schedule and boost your enrollments? Create a scheduling grid template to start mapping out your ideal class times. Try experimenting with different slots and track your success!
