Parents call after dinner. You're still tutoring.
Sessions run in the evening, which is also when parents finally have time to call. AlloPlace answers in English or French, explains how your tutoring works, and books a first session into Google Calendar.
The calls you get
"My son is struggling with grade 9 math. Can you help?" "Do you tutor in French?" "Is it online or in person?" "How much per hour?" "Can we try one session first?" "We need to move Thursday to next week." Then the odd call from a student who wants to know if their tutor is running late. You can't answer any of them with a student sitting beside you.
What it does for you
Talks to parents the way you would. It explains your subjects, grade levels, formats and rates from the information you've given it. If a parent asks about something you don't offer, it says so.
Books the first session. A trial or an assessment goes into Google Calendar at the length you set, with a confirmation text to the parent.
Follows the family's language. It starts in the language you choose and switches if the parent speaks the other one or asks.
Asks only what you need. You decide what it collects. A parent's name and number, the student's grade and the subject is often enough.
Takes messages for tutors. "Can we focus on essays next time?" goes to the right tutor as a message, not a voicemail nobody checks.
A typical call
8:15 p.m. in Pointe-Claire. A father calls in English. His daughter is in French immersion and needs help with her writing before exams. AlloPlace explains that you have tutors for French, that sessions can be online, and what an hour costs. It books a 45-minute trial for Saturday at 10:00. He agrees to a reminder the day before.
TBD: replace with a real call once a customer agrees.
Rules you might write
- "Only ask for the parent's name and phone number, plus the student's grade and subject. Don't ask for the school or report cards."
- "If a student calls without a parent, take a message and say we'll call their parent back."
- "Trial sessions are 45 minutes, weekends only."
- "Exam prep in May and June is waitlist only. Take a message."
Good to know
- Calendar or software: it books into Google Calendar only. If you schedule in a tutoring platform, it can't book there. Talk to us first.
- Codes and texts go to the booking number. When a parent books, they're the one who gets the confirmation, the reminder and the code to change a session.
- Payments: it doesn't take payments or card numbers.
What it costs
Starter is US$30 a month (about CA$43) for 150 minutes. Spam and calls under 10 seconds aren't billed. Full pricing