Introduction You’re sitting in front of your camera, your slides are up, and your trial student just joined. You’re excited (and maybe a little nervous). This could be the beginning of a long-term student relationship! But how do you make sure that trial student actually becomes a paying student? It’s not just about delivering a great class. It’s also about what you say, how you say it, and how you guide the parent to a yes.
This post will walk you through what to say during the trial class so parents feel confident, kids feel excited, and you walk away with a new student on your roster.
1. Before the Class Starts
Start strong before the class even begins:
- Send a confirmation message thanking the parent for booking and telling them what to expect.
- Include reminders like what to bring (pen, paper, headset).
- Keep it friendly and professional. A quick message helps ease parent nerves and shows you’re organized.
Example message: “Hi! I’m so excited to meet [Student Name] tomorrow! We’ll be working on reading and writing skills in a fun and interactive way. Feel free to bring paper and a pencil. Let me know if you have any questions!”
2. The First Few Minutes: Build Rapport
Those first 2–3 minutes matter. Use them to:
- Greet the student warmly.
- Compliment something specific (e.g., their background, a toy, their English).
- Ask a simple, confidence-building question (“Do you like animals? What’s your favorite?”)
What to say: “Hi Lily! I love your cat shirt! Do you have a cat?”
This isn’t small talk. It’s connection. And connection builds trust with both student and parent.
3. During the Lesson: Highlight Value (Without Being Salesy)
You don’t need to sell during the lesson, but you do want to show that:
- You’re intentional.
- You know how to teach.
- You’re assessing as you go.
What to say: “I’m seeing that Emma can already read simple sentences—great job! I’ll be focusing on building her vocabulary and writing skills in future lessons.”
This tells the parent:
- You see their child’s strengths.
- You have a plan.
- You’re already thinking long-term.
Don’t be afraid to sprinkle in those teacher comments throughout the class.
4. Wrapping Up: Plant the Seed
Before the class ends, take 30 seconds to summarize what you saw and what comes next.
What to say: “Ella did amazing today! I loved how she stayed focused and answered in full sentences. If we work together regularly, I’d love to help her grow her writing and storytelling skills.”
This “soft pitch” makes it easy for parents to visualize more classes with you.
5. After Class: Follow-Up That Converts
This is where most teachers drop the ball. Don’t just wait and hope they message you.
Send a thoughtful follow-up within 1–2 hours:
- Recap strengths.
- Outline a plan.
- Invite them to book.
Example message: “Thank you for the fun class with Max today! He’s bright and eager to learn. I noticed he loves talking about animals, so I’d love to build future lessons around that while helping him expand his vocabulary and grammar. I currently have availability on Tuesdays and Thursdays if you’d like to continue. Let me know what works for you!”
You’re showing initiative and making it easy for them to say yes.
6. Final Tips to Keep in Mind
- Smile. Be the fun, kind, confident teacher they want.
- Use the student’s name often.
- Give praise that’s specific, not generic.
- Don’t rush through the lesson. Let the child shine.
- Be confident in your value. You’re not begging. You’re offering something great.
Conclusion A successful trial class isn’t just about what you teach—it’s about what you say and how you make the parent and child feel. Connection, clarity, and confidence are your best tools. Use your words to highlight your value, make parents feel excited, and guide them naturally toward becoming a paying client.
What’s Next?
If you want help turning more trial students into paying students, check out the resources inside Teacher Boss Society. We recently hosted an entire step-by-step challenge called Enroll and Grow, where we showed our members exactly how to find students for trial lessons, how to teach a high-converting trial, and how to confidently guide families into enrolling.
You’ll get access to those trainings and all the tools you need to confidently grow your student base—without feeling salesy or stressed. Come join us inside Teacher Boss Society and start filling your schedule with dream students.
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