How to Get Your First 50 Students FAST! The Ultimate Marketing Plan for New English Schools

How to Get Your First 50 Students FAST! The Ultimate Marketing Plan for New English Schools

So, you’ve started your own English school. Your classroom is ready, your lessons are planned… but there’s one big problem—you don’t have students!

Most new school owners struggle to attract their first 50 students because they rely on word-of-mouth and hope parents will magically find them.

Hope isn’t a strategy.

If you want to fill your school fast, you need a real marketing plan—one that brings in students predictably and consistently.

Here’s exactly how to get your first 50 students FAST! 🚀

1. Start with an Online Presence (Most Teachers Ignore This!)

Why it matters:

Parents search online before making a decision. If your school doesn’t show up, they’ll pick a competitor instead.

How to fix it:

✅ Create a Google Business Profile – This makes your school show up when parents search for “English school near me.”

✅ Build a simple website – List your class offerings, pricing, testimonials, and contact info.

✅ Set up social media – Parents hang out on Facebook & Instagram—so should your school.

💡 Pro tip: Post consistently—photos of classes, student testimonials, and English tips for parents build trust over time.

2. Run Facebook & Instagram Ads (It’s Cheaper Than You Think!)

Why it matters:

Most teachers never run ads because they think it’s expensive. But for just $5/day, you can put your school in front of hundreds of parents.

How to fix it:

✅ Run a simple Facebook ad – Show a short video or image ad promoting your free trial lesson.

✅ Target the right audience – Parents of kids aged 4-12 in your local area.

✅ Make signing up EASY – Use a landing page or a direct message link for bookings.

💡 Pro tip: Test different ad images and messages. Find what works, then scale it up!

3. Offer a Strategic Free Trial (But Don’t Give Away Freebies for Nothing!)

Why it matters:A free trial is the best way to get parents in the door—but only if you convert them into paying students.

How to fix it:

✅ Make it exclusive – Instead of “free trial anytime,” run a special event like “1-Week Free Trial—Only 10 Spots Available!”

✅ Collect contact info – Parents should sign up with their phone & email so you can follow up.

✅ Give them a reason to enroll – At the end of the trial, make an irresistible offer (e.g.,“Sign up today & get the first month 50% off!”).

💡 Pro tip: Follow up with every parent—a simple phone call or text reminder can double your enrollments!

4. Leverage Referrals (Turn Your First Students Into Your Best Marketing Tool!)

Why it matters:

Your best marketing strategy is happy parents telling their friends. But referrals won’t happen automatically!

How to fix it:

✅ Give parents an incentive – “Refer a friend and both get ¥3,000 off tuition!”

✅ Run a special “bring a friend” event – More exposure = more students.

✅ Make it easy for parents to share – Send them a referral link they can text to friends.

💡 Pro tip: A simple referral system can double your student count in weeks!

Final Thoughts: Build Momentum & Keep Growing

Your first 50 students won’t come from luck—they’ll come from a proven marketing plan.

✅ Have an online presence (Google, website, social media)

✅ Run targeted Facebook & Instagram ads

✅ Offer strategic free trials that convert

✅ Turn students into referral machines

If you follow this system, your school will go from empty to fully booked FAST.

Are you ready to take action? 🚀 Let's Go!