How to get more students as a chess coach?

While I am not a marketing expert, my experience over the past four years as a chess coach has provided valuable insights and resources that I'd like to share with all chess coaches. Titled players typically face fewer challenges in attracting new students. Tournaments, both online platforms like Lichess and Chess.com, and offline events serve as strong sources of inquiries for them. Chess coaching can be a fulfilling career path or a rewarding hobby. In fact, some Grandmasters (GMs) have found greater financial success in coaching compared to competitive play.

Following are some of the ways to get more students

Have your own website - A professional website establishes your authority. Include a clear bio, coaching philosophy, and a contact form to make it easy for potential students to connect with you. Google Sites is one of the simplest ways to create a simple website. You only need $10-20 to purchase a domain name.

Be active on social media - Be active on platforms like Reddit, LinkedIn, and Chess.com. Share valuable chess content, engage with discussions, and showcase your coaching expertise. For me, LinkedIn worked extremely well. Although the conversion rate is higher on X and Reddit. At start, you can focus only on one or two platform and try to post good quality content. Posting puzzles is not the best idea to get new students. Try to post these types of posts - opening ideas, personal experiences, student success stories, tournament ideas.

YouTube Videos - YouTube creator is itself a business. You can create high-quality content there and add your coach profile in the description.

Cold outreach - Cold outreach is when you go to someone and ask do you need chess coaching. This is a very efficient way to reach people without having any advertisement budget. There are many inquiries on Reddit forums and Facebook groups regarding chess coaching. You can try to reach out to them. The best example is GM Arturs Neiksans. On the Perpetual Chess Podcast, he mentioned that he messaged Levy Rozman and now he is teaching Levy. (Ref - Youtube Video Link - Listen from 5 min 10 sec)

Advertisement - If you have a budget, consider running targeted Facebook or Google Ads to reach potential students in your area. You can even target ads on chess websites.

Online Directories - Do register on chess directories. There are many websites where you can register as a chess coach and get a gig. Some of them are as follows

• Lichess Coaches
• Chess com Coaches
• Upwork
• Fiverr
• Superprof
• Teacher On

Offline Events - Attend chess tournaments and connect with organizers. Offer to distribute flyers or business cards to interested players and parents. Consider offering a workshop or short seminar at the event.

Free demo class - While not essential for everyone, a free demo class can be a great way to convert website visitors into paying students. It allows you to showcase your teaching style and demonstrate the value you bring as a chess coach.

Collaborate with other coaches - Let’s say you are an 1800-rated chess coach, you can collaborate with some 2300-rated chess coaches and exchange beginner and advanced-level students with each other. Student’s also get exposure and it’s a win-win situation for both.

These are a few ways. I have already published a blog on Lichess about 11 Practical Tips to Attract & Retain Students. You can read it by clicking the following link

• 11 Practical Tips to Attract & Retain Students