Blog
Setting Up an English School: Introduction to Marketing
Although the title of this article says ‘Marketing’, it’s not really as simple as that. To get their message out and then get bums on seats, school owners have to consider the following: branding, marketing, advertising and sales. So, what's the difference? Well,...
Running an English School: Spreading the Word
I have slept on the sofa in the office, and before that on the floor of the school, to be up early to hand out flyers at the station. I’m not a morning person and don’t find this easy. Once out, a positive attitude can carry you through the duller moments and the many...
Setting Up an English School: Curricula and Contracts
You need to be able to show prospective students what you will teach them and how they will progress. A solid curriculum is a good idea, and it’s probably a good idea not to write it yourself from scratch, no matter how much you want to. There are not many people who...
Setting Up an English School: Sign Them Up!
Once you’ve opened your school, and you have a stream of new enquiries, you need to be sure you can sign them up. How will you do that? Up to now you may have been a great teacher. You now also need to be a great salesperson. You need to be able to show prospective...
Running Your Own English School: Getting Help
In 1998 I wasn't sure how long I would stay in Japan, or what direction I would go, with or without my new school. Either way, I had a busy year. As soon as I started advertising, the phone rang often and over 80% of prospective students signed up. I also had private...
Setting up an English School: Location, location, location
A good location can help a school really take off; a bad one can sink it without trace, very quickly. Not only is the general area important, but the exact location within that area. What is right for your target market? If you are concentrating only on B2B and...
Where and How to Start your Own School?
Having made the decision to leave the shackles, or as you may yet come to see it, the safety, of regular, paid employment, new ELL entrepreneurs are faced with a decision to make about how to go forward. It may be too costly to fund the opening of a new school and...
Introduction
I was never a particularly happy employee. In 1998, I left the last job I ever had and started on my own. I've had some successes and some failures, and these all led to where we are today. This is how it started. It was the final straw. When I asked for paid...