This "example of my class-building week" includes actual text conversations that I've had with applicants & students.

SATURDAYS

Task Time: Two Hours
Sending Initial Contact Texts and responding to replies (while also taking care of other online matters, in between)

While Saturdays line up perfectly with my class schedule of Tuesdays, I would still likely send initial contact texts on a weekend day regardless of what day my class is held --- people are just more available to receive a text and interact, on the weekends.

I reach out to applicants who applied 1-2 weeks ago because I've found that reaching out too early can seem "pushy".

Example Initial Contact Texts:
Student First Name, my name is Ms. Gill and I'm a teacher with ARCS :) You registered for a Free Online Class to “HEAL & HELP OTHERS”. 


I have room for you in my online classroom this upcoming Tuesday, anytime between 7pm-11pm *Eastern Time. Drop by anytime within that window, and stay for as little or long as you want ;)

Only I'm in there the full 4 hours, lol - although many women in the class choose to stay for a while because we talk about life, relationships, boundaries etc… We share our stories, our struggles and our triumphs.

You can check out my story + class details here:
https://certification.arcstofreedom.com/meet-your-teacher-felicia-gill.html 
​
***TEXT BACK TO RSVP BECAUSE I HAVE YOUR SEAT RESERVED!
Special Notes:
  • I always take the time to include applicant's first name, in initial contact texts --- otherwise they will likely think it's spam.
  • I always take the time to break the text messages up into "bite sized" portions, in initial contact texts --- just in case someone cannot receive large texts (mms) and also because it doesn't hurt for them to hear multiple texts coming through.
  • I use emojis (:)) and humor (Only I'm in there the full 4 hours, lol), to create rapport.
  • I give them an idea of what the class is like (we talk about life, relationships, boundaries etc… We share our stories, our struggles and our triumphs)
  • I usually text links without any other text (just because I want it the link to come through whole and "clickable"), but I make an exception in this case --- since them clicking on my Professor page is not my foremost goal and because the message with the link in it is less than 160 characters (it's actually 125 characters, including the link)
  • ***ALWAYS END TEXTS WITH A CALL TO ACTION --- SOMETHING FOR THE RECIPIENT TO DO!

Example Responses to Replies:
If/When Applicant replies to my Initial Contact Texts, I respond like this:
RSVP check √ 😁 I’ll send you a reminder text on Monday and all the info you'll need to get in on Tuesday. Look forward to meeting you then Student First Name, and have a great weekend 😎​
Special Notes:
  • I'm still building rapport with emojis and a welcoming nature.
  • I'm letting them know what to expect (I’ll send you a reminder text on Monday and all the info you'll need to get in on Tuesday)
  • If they don't reply by the time I move on to the rest of my day, I just check for anymore replies the next morning.
    I RUN MY SCHEDULE --- MY SCHEDULE DOES NOT RUN ME!

SUNDAYS

Task Time: 30 Minutes

I'm generally off on Sundays, but I'll still take a few minute to respond to anyone who has replied to my Initial Contact Texts (see the response I use, above)
Special Notes:
  • I'm on the East Coast, so I have to wait until 11am to start texting the Continental US --- plus Noon to text Alaska and 1pm to text Hawaii.
  • On Sunday, I just wait until 1pm to respond to any replies.
    MAKE SURE YOU CHECK TIME ZONES AND DON'T TEXT SOMEONE PRIOR TO 8AM THEIR TIME --- AND 9AM THEIR TIME IS PREFERABLE.​

MONDAYS

Task Time: 30 Minutes
Send Reminder Texts & No-Show Follow-Ups
VISITOR REMINDER TEXTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE SENT THE DAY BEFORE YOUR CLASS DAY.
NO-SHOW FOLLOW-UP TEXTS CAN BE SENT THE DAY AFTER, DAY BEFORE OR DAY OF CLASS --- I prefer the day before or the day of, because I feel that following up with No Shows the day after class reads as "desperate".

While these texts may seem redundant, it's important to remind applicants of your class the next day and repeat needed information, so that they can prepare to attend --- both mentally and logistically.

Example Reminder Texts:
Student First Name, it’s Ms. Gill :) I have your seat reserved in my online “HEAL & HELP OTHERS” CLASS anytime between 7pm-11pm *Eastern Time tomorrow (Tuesday). Drop by anytime in that window, and stay for as little or long as you wish.
​
Tomorrow midday, I’ll text you all the info you’ll need to get in ;) Look forward to meeting you then, and hope you're having a fun Monday (is that a thing, lol)?


​Example No-Show Follow-Up Texts:
​Student First Name, its Ms. Gill with the online class "HEAL & HELP OTHER SURVIVORS" 😊

We missed you last week! Everything OK??! We talked about how to recognize abusive personalities and how to draw boundaries! 

***TEXT BACK IF YOU WANT TO GET INTO THIS WEEK'S CLASS.

TUESDAYS

Task Time: 1 hour
Send Password Texts --- to visitors and current students.

I SEND ALL PASSWORD TEXTS AS AN IMAGE

Example Password Texts for Visitors:
***TEXT BACK TO CONFIRM YOU'VE RECEIVED THE IMAGE I JUST TEXTED YOU :)
Special Notes:
  • For scheduled class visitors, I'll send an extra text after the image --- to confirm that they received it.
  • Remember, you only have a limited number of scheduled visitors, so make it count. Take the extra time to send multiple texts, include first names, etc.
  • I am currently A/B Testing whether it's better for me to send these earlier in the day, or right before class.
    WE ALL CONTINUE TO HONE WHAT WORKS FOR US BY A/B TESTING 2 WAYS OF APPROACHING A TASK.

WEDNESDAYS

Task Time: 30 Minutes
Class Follow-Up Texts

​Example Class Follow-Up Text (1):
Student First Name, it's Ms. Gill :) I'm so glad you could join us in class last night, and I hope you got a lot out of it! I'm headed into private coaching sessions for the day, but let me know if you want to take next steps to enroll.

​Sometimes, I make my Class Follow-Up Texts more personalized, based upon my experience with someone in class.
​​Example Class Follow-Up Text (2):
Student First Name, it's Ms. Gill :) I'm so glad that you could come to class, get some information + support, and realize that you are not alone! Let me know if you want to take next steps to enroll.

​Sometimes, I mention (in my follow-up texts and in other ones, too) that I'm headed into private sessions, classes, otherwise working on my practice. This lets someone know that I may not be available to immediately answer their reply text --- also, this makes the opportunity of a Coaching practice real, for them.
​​Example Class Follow-Up Text (3):
Student First Name, it's Ms. Gill :) I'm so glad you could join us in class last night, and I hope you got a lot out of it! I'm headed into private coaching sessions for the day, but let me know if you want to take next steps to enroll.

Enrollment Texts
If/When Applicant replies wanting to know "next steps", I respond with our standard Enrollment Text:
You've been pre-approved for either grant, so just pick the one that works best for you:

Insert your Enrollment Page

***GET BACK TO ME AFTER YOU COMPLETE THIS SO:
1. Admin can attach your Grant Funding, 
2. I can reserve your seat in my class, and
3. I can get you into your first course ;)
Special Notes:
  • Just like my Initial Contact Texts, I send these out and then "forget them". I'm not waiting by the phone. Some people will enroll immediately; others, in a few days; others, in a week or two; others, not at all.
    It's up to them.
  • WHEN A NEW STUDENT ENROLLS, I ALWAYS FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS IN SECTION #7 OF this page