How To Market Yourself To Students (And Get More Work)

  • Created:
  • / Author: studygate

Updated November 11, 2019

You’re a genius professor. An ambitious student. A brilliant writer. A lifelong learner. Whatever your freelancer identity, you’re on StudyGate because you have legit knowledge to share with students. As admins, it’s our job to make your experience smooth and help you bring home the bacon (or broccoli for all you vegans out there).

When students post questions on StudyGate, they’re looking for three things:

1. Quality

2. Credibility

3. Care

They want to know that their tutor can definitely answer their question, knows what they’re talking about, and truly cares about them succeeding.

Here’s a fair bid template for messaging students:

I have reviewed [DESCRIBE THE QUESTION]. I’ll deliver the answer in [NAME THE FILE FORMAT YOU’LL SEND]. It will take [TIME] for me to answer the question. I’ll send the answer [TIME] once the bid is confirmed. If you choose my bid, you will always want to work with me for these kinds of questions. I will do whatever it takes to 100% deliver your answer on time and earn a 5-star rating from you as well.

We recommend to update this template to match your communication style and reflect the nature of the question. For a more in-depth approach on ways to bid on a question, let’s look at a few examples of bids that will show you what and what not to do.

Student question: I need someone to help me edit my economics paper.

Terrible response

I can do your assignment. Accept my offer nw. Yes. I can handle

 

Your student is going to have a wtf moment if you write them like this. It does not answer the student’s original question, and it tells them nothing about your skills and qualifications. Your bid is the first contact you have with a student. Without any relevant information, this tutor’s message seems pushy and insensitive. Remember, you’re not texting. Bad spelling, typos, and bad grammar make you look unprofessional.

Okay response

Hi, it would be a privilege to review and edit your economics paper, ensuring clarity and fantastic style. Publishing is my life’s work. As a design coordinator at Cornell University, I work with designers, production editors, and copywriters in turning manuscripts into published books. Our goals are to produce and disseminate excellent scholarship… At your request, I can provide more information about my skills, experience, and qualifications.

 

This content belongs in your bio, not your pitch on a bid. The tutor begins by offering to help and promising a great result. But then they go into a long career summary before offering to share even more about their career. Students want to know that you’re interested and that you can help them. They don’t have the time (or interest) to read your complete career summary.

Great response

Hello, I looked at your paper and feel I am a great candidate to help you for two reasons. First, I am a sociologist (Ph.D). While economics is not my primary focus, my dissertation research focused on the pharmaceutical industry which required I gain a basic understanding of the subject. I am attaching my academic resume and dissertation; I am happy to provide other writing samples as needed.

 

The tutor shows that they have already read the requirement by referencing their experience related to the task. Nice! This tutor shows an openness to dialogue that will put any student at ease. It’s too wordy, but the tone of the message works great.

 

Amazing response

Hi Angela, there are a few theoretical gaps and shortfalls I’d like to address with you. However, you’re off to a nice start. (This tutor attached a file with feedback)

 

The message shows that they have seen the paper, read it, and thought of several ways to improve it. Expressing a desire to engage makes the student curious and wanting to reach out for more advice! Clever, right? The ending reassures the student and can make them feel confident in their own skills even as they seek improvement. In summary, this tutor has:

  • Proven their worth by providing free introductory-level feedback.
  • Identified the problem by specifically mentioning theoretical gaps and shortfalls.
  • Established trust and confidence by complimenting the student and addressing them by name.

Bravo!

Do unto others..

Marketing yourself to potential students is straightforward. Treat others like you would want to be treated. Be professional, take initiative to solve their problem, show that you have the answer, compliment them if possible, and keep the messaging short.