What's the quickest way to attracting students on an English teaching third-party platform like Verbling, italki or Preply?
How can you stand out as an independent teacher with so many competing teacher profiles?
Well, you’ve only got one page and a video to attract clients on these sites. But you should use this space as your chance to shine. Get it right, and they will come. Here's how to get started.
What makes a teaching profile page magnetic?
First, read my blog about adopting an independent trainer mindset, as this is critical in moving your outlook from a traditional teacher to trainer mode.
The other key thing you might not know about your profile is, it’s not about you. A good profile page is actually about your student. Think about it. Your potential student will be scrolling through maybe 20 or 30 profiles looking for a match, for someone who ‘speaks’ to them.
So, creating a bio is about showing you understand the likely needs and pain points of your ideal student and then confirming that you are the right person to help them overcome their issues so they can succeed.
With this in mind, here are three brilliant ideas to consider in order to create a magnetic profile.
What are the 3 ways to ace your italki profile?
1. Be 'niche'
Why? It’s easier to sell one thing to one type of person than many things to everyone. Most English teachers are generalists and there are thousands on the sites. It might be you focus on business English, exam English or kids. You might specialise in Spanish learners. A specialism will help you stand out.
2. Talk about your student
Remember, it’s not about you and the best way is to show this in your copy is to change ‘I’ to ‘you’ wherever possible. Also, ask plenty of questions. Keep sentences short, simple and direct. Try to avoid phrasal verbs and idioms.
Yes, you do need to say a bit about you, but this comes at the end. I suggest make it a bullet point list, to keep it short. So, your bio might start…
Are you someone who finds it difficult to understand natural English?
Are you nervous when speaking in English, worried you will make mistakes?
Are you…
If so, I can help.
I’m a qualified online English teacher from the UK, experienced in xxx, specialising in xxx.
With me, you’ll learn xxx, succeed in xxx without fear, in my fun, instructive English sessions.
3. Nail the video
Smile! It’s so important. Ask about the student in the same way as you do in your profile, as it is still about them and not you. Be natural but do speak slowly.
Few do this, but consider adding English subtitles to your video from a site like subly.com to stand out. Finally, have a look at the profiles and videos of others. Think: who would you like to have lessons with, and why?
What should you check before you publish your profile?
Before you hit publish, run your page against this checklist:
| Profile element | What to aim for |
|---|---|
| Opening lines | Questions about the student’s needs and pain points – not your CV |
| Language | Short, simple, direct sentences; no phrasal verbs or idioms your target learners may not know |
| Niche | A clear specialism (business, exams, kids, a first-language group) stated early |
| About you | A short bullet-point list at the end – qualifications, experience, specialism |
| Video | Smiling, natural, slow speech; questions addressed to the student; subtitles if possible |
| Competitor check | Browse other teachers’ profiles and ask: who would you book, and why? |
What happens after a student clicks your profile?
Remember that the profile page only does half the job: its purpose is to win you a first booking, and on most platforms that first booking is a trial or introductory lesson. Everything about the profile – the niche, the student-focused copy, the warm video – sets an expectation that the first lesson has to live up to. So prepare that lesson with the same care you put into the page: find out what the student wants before you meet, plan a session that gives them a quick, visible win, and finish by mapping out what you’d work on together next. We’ve written a full guide to succeeding in your first trial online English lesson that pairs naturally with this one.
And once students start booking, revisit your profile regularly. Keep your availability calendar up to date, refresh your opening questions as you learn which students actually book you, and let your niche sharpen over time – the profile that attracts your hundredth student will read quite differently from the one that attracted your first.
Here’s to your online English teaching success.
For more help setting up as an online English teacher, check out the links below.
Frequently asked questions
Should I specialise or stay general on italki?
Specialise. It’s easier to sell one thing to one type of person than everything to everyone, and generalist English teachers number in the thousands on marketplace platforms. A niche – business English, exam preparation, young learners, or a particular first-language group – makes your profile instantly more relevant to the students you most want to attract.
What equipment do I need to teach English online?
A solid computer, stable internet, a headset with microphone, a webcam and a well-lit, quiet teaching space. For your profile video specifically, good lighting and clear audio matter most – students judge lesson quality by video quality. You don’t need professional kit; you do need to look and sound clear.
How much can I earn teaching English online?
Marketplace rates vary enormously with experience, reviews and niche. New teachers usually price modestly to win their first bookings and reviews, then raise rates as demand builds. A clear specialism supports higher pricing – students pay more for a teacher who solves their exact problem than for general conversation practice.
Where next?
- Want help with your profile and in setting up as an online English teacher? Check out our 20 hour Online English Teaching Course >>
- Need something more customised to set up online? Discover Louisa's 1-1 Coaching Package >>
- italki has some suggestions for creating a video profile >>
- Read about Global English TESOL graduate Paul Knab’s journey to success with Preply >>
- New to the whole area? Start with our guide to teaching English online, freelancing and working for yourself
- Get 20 ready-to-teach lessons in the Teaching English Online Starter Pack