Hello all,
I have been very busy since I last posted, so I apologize for the delay in this update.
My first fully online 10-week session (Ocean) starts next week. I have recorded 10 classes, each around 30 minutes. I was only able to do each song twice, but the families can rewatch the videos, so I am forgiving myself for that.
Each family received a CD, audio book and for each child, a workbook, toy and weekly crafts along with a bag to keep all of the materials in. I packaged everything up by week, so the first week included images on cardstock that they could cut out to use as props as well as the craft and the final week included the craft and certificates for each child.
Prices are $100 per family, plus $25 per child for materials. I let parents decide whether to purchase materials for the very young.
Each week, the families will receive an email reminding them to watch the video available on Vimeo and what materials they will need for the recorded class. Then, they join their assigned 15-20 minute Zoom class with the craft completed and perhaps something in the workbook to show me.
The Zoom classes will be an opportunity to reinforce vocabulary from each week’s class and praise them for their at-home work. I have limited how many kids/families are in each session so that they all have a chance to participate fully.
I have 9 full Zoom classes consisting of 30 families with 60 kids (including the babies). Most of the families who joined already knew me, several had moved away and were excited to play again with me virtually.
I was able to find 8 more families by doing free trial classes on Pearchute, Activity Hero and Outschool.
Through Pearchute and Activity Hero, I was able to capture many email addresses, even if the families did not show up for the trial class. I will use these addresses to market my regular classes to them through Mailchimp, which allows them to unsubscribe if they choose.
Outschool does not share email addresses and does not allow free classes, so I charged $5 for a 30 minute class – they kept 30%. They would not allow me to post my Summer classes either due to the fact that families are required to purchase additional materials for the class. Oh well. I explained this fact to those who were willing to do a 30 minute intro class and followed up with a message on how to find me outside of Outschool. I have 2 families who joined.
Pearchute had mixed results with many of free classes having no families or very few participate, with the exception of one class that had 22 kids join after they randomly sent text messages to the members to encourage them to attend. I have 3 families who joined for the Summer session. The free classes were free for me to do and if I had listed my 10-week session with them, they would have taken a 30% cut.
Activity Hero by far was the most successful, with almost every class filling to 15 kids, although attendance was often only a handful at a time and many parents simply turned on the device and then left the room. I learned quickly to only list one class at a time and wait until it filled before listing a new one. Many families would sign up for all of the classes, creating a long wait list. The free classes were free to do but they kept 15% + 3% transaction fee for each registration for the full 10-week session. 3 families registered through them.
Veronica asked about what to do if families want to join after the session has already begun. I plan to let them join late if they wish since everything is done at home. While they will miss the Zoom sessions that have already taken place, they can catch themselves up easily on their own. Normally, I would prorate for the missed classes, but in this case, I may not offer that since my margins are very thin. What do you think?
I could write more about what equipment I am using and tips for recording if anyone is interested. What is working for you?