If you're starting out, if you're an independent teacher or a small business, the simplest, fastest, best way to get started is by combining LearnCube with scheduling software like Calendly.
Why not choose an all-in-one solution to start with? An all-in-one solution makes the most sense once you have a business to scale but may not be the most important question facing a startup.
A new business rarely fails because they do not have the most sophisticated technology, but rather they do not have a strategy to attract students.
Simply put, if it costs more to acquire a customer using Google Ads than the profit earned from teaching the student, the company will fail. Startups who rely on buying traffic will find this a big challenge.
Startups can succeed but it takes some experimentation and generally a company needs to focus on a specific niche to get started.
That's why we recommend combining LearnCube with scheduling software like Calendly to get started. The costs are low but the experience inside the Virtual Classroom is world-class.
This is the initial flow we recommend for startup online education companies or individual teachers:
The student signs up via your website.
(Option a) You share the Calendly link - allowing students to see your upcoming availability and book a class - or (Option b) just arrange via email
Share the LearnCube class link - allowing students to get into a specific class
(Optional) Steps to getting setup with Calendly
How to set up Calendly
Here's how you can get this done in just a few minutes:
Signup on Calendly
Edit your "Event" and refer to email confirmation in Location field
Confirm your general calendar availability
Copy the Calendly event link (e.g. https://calendly.com/example_company/30min) and share with students through a link from your website or via email.
Your student will open up that link and book a time with you.
Note: Connecting your calendar with Calendly is a great idea so you only have to manage your existing calendar.
Also: if you'd like to integrate Paypal or Stripe as payment methods using Calendly, you can find information here.
Once your student has booked a time with you, it's time to send them the LearnCube link.
How to set up LearnCube
Once you've created an account with LearnCube, follow these steps:
Open LearnCube and click Create class
Edit the name of the class, time and date e.g. ESL class with Jane
Copy the Student Link and share with the student via email or the Add to Calendar button.
LearnCube + Calendly + a marketing home page (e.g. website, Facebook page) is all you really need to get started teaching.